Sling for News Review: SlingTV News Channels, Pricing

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Unless you get the majority of your news updates via Twitter (or “X”) feed, it can be challenging to get your fix on what’s going on in the world when broadcasts are spread out between a dozen different TV channels. In spite of the shuttering of news-focused streamers like CNN+, it’s easier than ever to stream the news without cable. For cord-cutters looking to keep costs down, you have plenty of options, but how do you know which one to choose?

The best streaming services for news will allow you to watch a wide variety of channels and not have to pick and choose between the select bigger networks. Unless you want to subscribe to each channel’s specific, individual app (which can be costly and often don’t allow you to watch on your TV), we’ve found a relatively affordable solution for news junkies: Sling. The popular streaming service carries almost every major news channel, making it a streamlined solution for staying updated at home. Below is a quick rundown of what Sling has to offer, and why we think it’s worth it.

What News Channels Does Sling Offer?

Sling offers news broadcasts on over 40+ channels, including Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, ABC News, Bloomberg TV, and BBC World News, to name a few. Even your local news channels might also be available with Sling, just make sure to check local channel availability in your area. You can also access live news on-the-go through Sling’s mobile and tablet apps — no need to limit streaming to your home (that includes 50 hours of free cloud DVR with Sling’s Blue plan).

Of course, you don’t need every single one of these channels to keep up with the news or politics — especially if you have a favorite anchor or you’re just following a specific network or two. But if you’re not interested in the local networks, Sling offers a competitive price, including the best value for economic and financial news channels, which is why we recommend one of Sling’s comprehensive plans.

How Much Is Sling? Packages Breakdown, Pricing

For starters, Sling offers three different subscription packages: Orange, Blue, and Orange + Blue. Sling Blue carries local channels (Fox, NBC, and ABC), CNN, MSNBC, and Bloomberg in a 47-channel lineup, and normally starts at $25.50/month for your first month, then $50.99 a month. Sling Orange + Blue, meantime, carries all of the above with a total of 46 channels and starts at $33 a month for your first month, then $65.99 after that.

For the most comprehensive news package, we recommend getting Sling Orange + Blue for $65.99 a month. You’ll get a ton of content, and at that price, it’s still significantly cheaper than most other live TV streaming services.

If you don’t want to pay that much, Sling Blue + News Extra add-on is also a great choice, and you can still keep up with the primaries and stream the news and analysis you need, for less. The News Extra add-on includes FOX Business, Weather Nation, Newsmax, CNBC, and BBC World News. This add-on costs an additional $6/month on top of your base package ($0 for your first month alone). No matter which package you go with, you’ll likely want to get the News Extra add-on as well.

Does Sling Offer Any Deals?

If you’re looking for even more bang for your buck, you’re in luck: Sling is running a streaming deal right now you’ll want to take advantage of.

This Sling deal slashes 50% off your first month’s payment, which means that your Sling Blue package will start at just $25.50 for your first month, with the Sling Orange + Blue package starting at just $33 for your first month (the News Extra package isn’t included in the deal, however). This is great way to test the waters with Sling without committing to a full subscription up-front.