Sling TV Channels Compared: Orange vs Blue Plans & Packages

Sling TV’s Orange and Blue base plans are priced exactly the same, but that does not mean they are identical. While Orange and Blue do share many of the same channels, there are enough differences to make choosing one package over the other a little easier. In addition, each plan also comes with the option to expand the channel selection through the addition of paid add-ons.

In general, Sling TV provides access to a number of popular channels and is a more affordable option when compared to other popular live TV streaming services. Furthermore, with the service being as customizable as it is, consumers can create more of a unique live TV streaming package that better suits their individual needs, albeit with the price increasing as more channels are added.

When signing up for the first time, consumers will need to choose between the service’s two main plans: Sling Orange and Sling Blue. While both of these plans share many of the same features and channels, the channel lineups vary in subtle and important ways. Officially, the Sling Orange plan comes with more than 30 different channels and is priced at $35 per month. While the Sling Blue package is also priced at $35 per month, it includes more than 40 live TV channels. On this basis alone, Sling Blue is the better plan for those that want the most channels at the lowest possible price each month.

Orange and Blue plans compared

Although the two plans are very similar overall, there are some subtle differences between the channel lineups which could affect the decision of which plan is ultimately the best option for an individual or household.

Orange vs Blue channels comparison: Updated December, 2021

As is usually the case, the exact channel lineup might vary slightly from what’s listed above due to differences in location. For example, Sling TV does provide access to some locals, but access is very dependent on where the subscriber lives. To sum up the overall difference, however, Sling Orange comes with Disney-owned channels, such as the Disney Channel and ESPN, while Sling Blue prioritizes channels owned by Comcast, including NBC, NBCSN and USA.

Building a better Sling TV plan

Regardless of whether opting for the Sling Orange or the Sling Blue plan, this is a highly customizable service. As a result, subscribers can choose to pay more each month and build themselves a better plan overall. This is most evident through the availability of a combined Sling ‘Orange & Blue’ package. As the name suggests, this combined plan provides access to pretty much every channel included in both Sling Blue and Sling Orange plans, but at a discounted price. At $50 per month, the combined Sling Orange & Blue plan is likely to be the best option for those wanting access to live sports as it not only opens up ESPN channels through the Orange plan, but also allows subscribers to watch NBC channels, including NBCSN, through the Blue plan.

If opting for either the Sling Orange or the Sling Blue plan then there is still the ability to improve the channel selection through the help of add-ons. While many services now offer add-ons, Sling TV takes these to the next level with a variety of channel packs that can be added to an existing package. These channel add-ons are available with either plan and tend to range in price between $6 and $11 per month, per add-on.

Each add-on is specifically designed for a certain type of viewer—for example, Entertainment, News or Sports—and the same add-ons are available regardless of the plan chosen. However, due to the difference in the base plans, some of the add-ons also differ in the channels they add to a plan. As an example, if adding the Sports Extra add-on to Orange, the subscriber gains additional ESPN-related channels such as ESPNU and ESPNews. If adding the same Sports Extra add-on to Blue, subscribers get additional NBC-related channels such as Golf Channel and Olympics Channel.

Another option to expand either the Orange or Blue plan is through the addition of premium networks like Showtime, Starz and Epix. Unlike the channel add-on packs, these networks can only be added individually and are more expensive. In general, the price of premium networks through Sling TV vary between $3 and $10 per month, on top of the cost of the base subscription and any other add-ons.

Sling TV channels summary

The Sling Orange and Sling Blue plans both cost $35 per month, but there are some subtle differences between the two packages. With Sling Blue offering around ten channels more for the same price, it is the better option for those simply wanting the most channels possible. However, if Disney-related channels, including ESPN, are important, consumers will want to consider going with the Sling Orange package instead. Of course there is the option to combine the two channel lineups together and at a discounted rate, with the Sling ‘Orange & Blue’ plan priced at $50 per month.

Sling TV is a highly customizable service, so regardless of whether opting for the Orange or the Blue plan, subscribers can increase the number of channels they have access to by adding individual premium networks or themed channel add-on packs. All of these extras do cost more each month and if enough are added, the price can increase dramatically compared to the $35 per month advertised cost of the Sling Orange and Sling Blue plans.

Updated: December, 2021