If you’re tired of paying a big cable bill each month, you may find that cutting the cord and subscribing to Sling TV is a great money-saving solution in 2024.
This live TV streaming service is an option for people looking to leave the cable company behind for good. Others include YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV.
Sling offers two different channel packages. Each starts at just $40 per month, but the best deal for the service may be to get both packages for $55 per month.
I downloaded the Sling app on my devices and took it for a test drive. In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the popular streaming service.
This article was updated in April 2024 and I review it every three months. Detailed notes on all updates can be found here.
Latest Sling TV UpdatesIf you are looking for a way to both cut the cord and beat the pricing from YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV, picking one of Sling TV’s packages may be your best cost-saving move.
Sling touts three major packages, and they’re all cheaper than many of the top players in this space:
You can purchase either Blue or Orange as a standalone product for $40 per month. If you’d like the benefits of both, you can buy the combination package (Orange + Blue) for $55 per month. (Note: You may be able to qualify for a discounted rate as a new user.)
Sling’s pricing has caught the attention of money expert Clark Howard. It’s $10-$25 per month cheaper than its top live TV streaming competitors, which have settled into the $70 per month range.
“Sling TV offers a comparative advantage in pricing over YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV, particularly if you’re good with just the Orange or the Blue package,” Clark says. “It would save you quite a bit of money over the course of a year.”
Clark is not currently a Sling TV subscriber, but he says he would seriously consider it as a cost-saving measure if not for the other members of his family: They strongly prefer the functionality of YouTube TV.
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I’ll take a closer look at the differences in the channel menu for each of the Sling TV packages later in this article.
We’re going to need your full attention for a moment because Sling TV’s packages are pretty confusing.
As mentioned earlier, Sling TV has three basic live TV streaming packages: Sling Orange, Sling Blue and Sling Orange + Blue.
Sling Blue and Sling Orange are each $40 per month packages, but they offer different selections of channels.
The line in the sand appears to be the ESPN family of networks. Sling Orange has them, and Sling Blue does not. Since ESPN channels are expensive for the streaming providers, the Orange package has an otherwise stripped-down menu.
Sling Blue doesn’t offer ESPN channels, but it offers more channel options for the same price. Instead of ESPN, you’re able to get channels such as FOX News, MSNBC, Discovery, Bravo and your local NBC or FOX affiliates.
For an additional $15 per month, you can skip the comparison between Orange and Blue. Sling Orange + Blue is $55 per month and offers all of the channels of both $40 packages.
When looking at the channel menu below, you may notice that only NBC, FOX and ABC (in some markets) are offered with the Blue and Orange + Blue packages. That means you’re completely out of luck if you want to watch your local CBS channel with Sling. If you’re looking for access to local channels, we have some ideas that won’t break the bank. (More on local channels coming up later in the article.)
Below is a comparison of the Sling channel packages. If you want to compare Sling’s channel lineup to other streaming TV services, see our side-by-side chart or use our live TV streaming channel tool.
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If you want more channels than the base Sling TV packages offer, you’re going to have to fork over some more cash.
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Sling makes it easy, though. There are several different add-on packages that feature channels grouped together by genre. Want more sports? Pay for the Sports Extra package. More funny stuff? Try the Comedy Extra package.
In addition to add-on channel packages, Sling TV also offers a la carte options for premium subscription services.
For example, you can subscribe to premium channels like Showtime or STARZ individually for a monthly fee.
Here’s a sampling of the premium channels that are available through Sling TV:
As I previously mentioned, only select NBC, FOX and ABC affiliates are included with your Sling TV subscription.
That means streamers wanting to watch their local CBS broadcast may have to reach outside the Sling ecosystem.
I asked for solutions to the situation, and Sling representatives pointed me to this page as a guide for users. (Spoiler: You’re likely going to need an antenna.)
However, here are the quick takeaways for Sling’s strategy on local channel access:
In what we can only assume is an admission of an overly complicated channel selection process, Sling TV recently unveiled a “Service Optimizer” tool that helps potential customers determine projected monthly costs based on the content they’d like to stream.
You can make a list of your “must-have” channels and put them into Sling TV’s service optimizer tool to learn all your options for getting those channels from Sling. The goal, of course, is to gain access to your channels in the most cost-effective way.
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If you’re interested in how Sling’s recommendations shake out against services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV or fuboTV, you can use Team Clark’s channel comparison chart for a side-by-side look at the streaming TV services. We recently added a channel lineup tool to help you find the best deal!
If Sling TV recommends that you make multiple add-on selections to see the content you’d like on its service, there’s a chance you may be better off signing up with a competitor that offers a better base channel package.
Sling TV does offer cloud DVR functionality with all three of its base packages. Each comes with 50 hours of storage.
You can pay an additional $5 per month to upgrade to 200 hours of storage.
The amount of storage is nowhere near the unlimited allotment given to YouTube TV subscribers, but it still is a marked improvement from the 10 hours that Sling TV provided before its latest upgrade.
The functionality of Sling’s cloud DVR is good. You can record multiple shows, movies or sporting events at the same time. And, unlike Hulu + Live TV, you’re able to fast forward right through the ads in the content you’ve saved on the DVR.
One of the biggest perks of cutting the cord and using a service like Sling TV is the variety of ways in which you can enjoy the content.
Not only can you move seamlessly from device to device, but you can also take your recorded content with you thanks to the portability of the cloud DVR.
You can watch Sling TV on your phone, tablet or computer. In fact, Sling recently launched a new version of its app that includes some cool new features like browsing what’s playing on all other channels while still watching a channel.
Many of us still like to enjoy entertainment on a television from the comfort of our couches. Sling TV has you covered in that area, too. Most of the most popular streaming devices, including Roku and Amazon Fire TV, are compatible.
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The streaming service’s list of supported devices for TV includes:
This is probably a good time to mention that Sling likes to run promotions for new customers that sometimes can net you a free streaming device for your television.
For example, here’s a limited-time promotion for a free Chromecast with Google TV offered recently to new users willing to prepay for one month of service:
Sling.comOne final thing to consider in the equipment arena is how important local channels are to you.
If you need to see all of them as a Sling subscriber, you may also need to invest in an antenna to account for the channels that Sling does not provide. Remember, Sling provides access only to select NBC, FOX and ABC affiliates on some of its packages and in select markets.
This is an area in which Sling TV can be confusing.
The number of screens you can stream on simultaneously depends upon which Sling TV package you have.
Sling Orange customers can stream on just one device at a time. Sling Blue customers can stream on three devices simultaneously.
If you pay up for the Sling Orange + Blue package, you’ll get up to four streams at once (three on Blue channels, one on Orange channels). That’s one of the best options for larger households on the market.
Here’s how that stacks up against some of the top live TV streaming competitors.
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If you’re looking to cut the cord, Sling TV is one of the best value options on the live TV streaming market.
That’s especially true if you can get what you need from a $40 per month subscription through Sling Orange or Sling Blue.
Even if you need to upgrade to Sling Orange + Blue to get your desired channel mix, there’s still some value to saving around $15 per month versus a subscription to Sling’s top competitors.
Sling TV isn’t going to be a great fit for everyone, though. Many users may see the expanded channel library, unlimited cloud DVR and superior access to sports, news and local channels as reasons to spring for YouTube TV instead.
Have you tried Sling? Share your experience in our Clark.com Community!
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Save Up to 91% On Shipping
Across 550+ Courier Services
Coming into 2024, eCommerce delivery expectations are changing, and most online buyers have come to expect faster, cost-effective (or free!) shipping options. That means high shipping costs can be a big turnoff to potential buyers and can cost you a lot of business down the line.
Therefore, it is important to be able to determine the cheapest way to ship a package to your buyers from different shipping zones within the US or overseas. This will not only help you convert shipping-cost-sensitive shoppers and stay ahead of the competition but it will also improve your bottom line and help you to remain profitable.
So, what is the cheapest way to ship a package these days? While there is no one-size-fits-all answer that suits, well, boxes of all sizes this article will help you figure out the factors that affect shipping rates and some ways you can negotiate shipping discounts from the major couriers.
Different courier services provide different lead times and different shipping costs. We’ll offer the best and cheapest way to mail a package that weighs under 10 pounds. Be sure to check out Easyship’s Shipping Rates Calculator to view our shipping rates discounts with up to 91% off.
USPS Priority Mail is generally the cheapest shipping service for 2-3 day shipping. FedEx, UPS, and other courier companies offer delivery services with similar lead time expectations, but USPS offers the lowest rates.
If you’re shipping a package over 5+ pounds, UPS and FedEx begin to offer competitive rates for the cheapest option for 2-3 day shipping.
Let’s say you’re shipping a 4-pound package from New York to Los Angeles again; we’ll use the Easyship shipping calculator to find the cheapest way to ship a package with an overnight delivery service.
Courier Service Cost USPS Priority Mail $24.05 UPS 3 Day Select® $55.01 FedEx Express Saver $62.25UPS and FedEx are more reliable when you’re looking at overnight shipping services. USPS Priority Mail Express may offer affordable rates for 1-day delivery, but UPS and FedEx guarantee delivery by the next day or your money back.
Let’s say you’re shipping a 4-pound package from New York to Los Angeles again; we’ll calculate the example rates so you can see which overnight delivery service is best.
Courier Service Cost USPS Priority Mail Express $24.05 UPS Next Day Air® $141.70 FedEx First Overnight $193.20The weight of your parcel largely influences the cost of shipping. We’ll consider the most affordable shipping services based on the weight of your package.
USPS Retail Ground or USPS First Class Package is the cheapest option for shipping packages under 1 pound. For any media-related materials, USPS Media Mail is even cheaper.
Courier Service Cost USPS First Class Package $6.25 UPS Ground® $13.18 FedEx Ground $12.78USPS Retail Ground or USPS Priority Mail is the cheapest option for anything between 1-5 pounds.
Courier Service Cost USPS Retail Ground $6.25 UPS Ground® $19.50 FedEx Ground $18.91As we can see in this example, UPS Ground® or FedEx Ground are the cheapest options for anything 10+ pounds. USPS is the cheapest option for packages that are generally under 7 pounds.
Courier Service Cost USPS Retail Ground $38.95 UPS Ground® $31.08 FedEx Ground $30.14UPS Ground® and FedEx Ground are the winners for the cheapest shipping option for a package that weighs 50 pounds. USPS also imposes a 50-pound weight limit for parcels, so anything above 50 pounds should be shipped with FedEx or UPS to avoid any surcharges.
Courier Service Cost USPS Retail Ground $120.60 UPS Ground® $118.69 FedEx Ground $115.12Now that we have looked at the different delivery factors that affect shipping rates, it is time to look at the options side-by-side based on each one of them.
USPS FedEx UPS Less than 10 lbs (Standard) X Over 10lbs (Standard) X X Envelopes X Light boxes X Heavy boxes X X Two-day shipping X X Next-day shipping (AM) X Next-day shipping (PM) X X Expedited International shipping X Priority International X X Overnight XSave Up to 91% On Shipping
Across 550+ Courier Services
No singular, universal shipping method is considered the gold standard for inexpensively shipping a package. Keep in mind that depending on what you’re shipping you must also factor in a parcel’s weight and size, how quickly you need your package to get to its destination, and your shipping zone or country.
Here, we discuss the four crucial factors to consider when determining the best way to reduce shipping costs:
How fast do you want your package to get to its destination? As instant gratification becomes the norm, speedy shipping will certainly play a role. But keep in mind, the faster the delivery speed, the more you will have to pay.
Do you want your package to be delivered overnight, the next day, in two days, within three days, or you are willing to wait for 7days? Different courier companies offer various time-sensitive delivery options to cater to your preferred delivery timeframe. But you’ll have to pay to play, so to speak. Overnight delivery may cost five times more than ground delivery.
For 2-3-day shipping, USPS Priority Mail offers the most competitive rates for packages weighing 10lb and below. But UPS and FedEx services offer more enticing rates when shipping packages above 10lbs within the same delivery window.
For packages with a hard two-day delivery timeframe, UPS 2nd Day and FedEx 2Day are the best options because USPS doesn't offer guaranteed services within this timeframe.
For expedited next-day Day or overnight delivery, UPS Next Day Air Saver and FedEx Standard Overnight offer competitive rates compared to USPS.
First thing’s first, consider which shipping zone your package is being sent from. Shipping carriers split the US into 8 shipping zones based on the distance your package has to travel from the mailing address or zip code. The further the shipping zone from the destination address, the higher the shipping rate will be.
Domestic shipping vs international shipping also comes to play when sending packages to your customers in different places. As you would expect, international shipping comes at higher shipping rates than domestic shipping.
Having distribution centers in different parts of the US can help your business mitigate the shipping costs and shorten the delivery time for your customers by ensuring your merchandise is stored closer to the final destination. With that in mind, Easyship partners with 3PL providers and warehouses across different cities around the world to help you shorten your shipping distances and times.
The weight of your package is a crucial factor to consider when finding the cheapest way to ship boxes. How heavy or light your package is will impact its shipping rate.
USPS offers the most competitive rates when shipping lightweight packages under 1 pound or 16 oz, using USPS First Class Mail or USPS Media Mail when shipping physical media.
USPS Priority Mail offers a cost-effective option when sending items between 1-10 lbs, while FedEx and UPS Ground/Home delivery offer the lowest rates for heavy packages within the US.
The size of a package has everything to do with how much space it occupies in the back of a track based on its dimensions. The larger the package, the greater the shipping cost. Different couriers offer several options to help you optimize your package size for shipping.
One such option is to use Flat Rate Packages with USPS. Although this isn’t always guaranteed to be the cheapest way to ship a box, it will help you maintain steady shipping costs. First Class Mail envelopes, flat rate envelopes, and USPS Priority Mail offer the lowest rates for small packages.
Another option is to use cubic pricing. Cubic pricing is a special USPS service that offers lower shipping rates when sending small, heavy items that are under 20lbs with USPS Priority Mail.
Here is how to calculate the cubic feet for your package:
Cubic feet = Length x Width x Height/ 1728
Dimensional pricing is also used when determining the shipping cost of your package. If your package is too large in proportion to its weight, the dimensional weight will be used to determine the shipping rate. The larger the dimensional weight, the higher the shipping rate, as the package will take up more space in airplanes and other cargo vehicles.
Dimensional weight is calculated by dividing the dimension of your package by a divisor. The larger the divisor, the cheaper the shipping rate.
Dimensional weight = (L x W x H)/ Divisor
USPS has the largest dimensional weight divisor, hence offering the cheapest way to ship a package based on its dimensional weight.
Additional factors to consider
There are also other additional factors that you need to consider — apart from the cost. A cheap option that doesn't offer excellent tracking services, insurance, or doesn't commit to its delivery timeframes may come with its share of inconveniences that outweigh the eye-catching price.
Here are some additional factors you should consider:
Save Up to 91% On Shipping
Across 550+ Courier Services
Getting shipping discounts from courier companies can be a game-changer for your eCommerce business, as they can help you reduce your shipping cost per package. Shipping carriers will discount your rates depending on the volume of packages you send. The more you shop, the better your rates become.
Another great way to get discounted shipping rates is to access the major carriers through a 3PL company like Easyship. You'll always get better rates when using the services of a third-party courier as compared to trying to negotiate directly with the courier companies.
3PL companies tend to get huge shipping discounts because of the large number of packages they send to these couriers. Then, they pass down the benefits to their partners by offering them discounted rates. It’s a win-win.
Easyship is the top shipping and logistics company working with a network of over 250 couriers worldwide. This has put us in a position to negotiate some of the best shipping discounts with leading couriers and we can help you reduce your shipping expenses by up to 91%.
Some of our major discounts include the following:
We also offer a range of easy-to-use shipping tools, to help streamline your shipping experience and delight your buyers. Popular features include:
Sign up for a free Easyship account today!
Save Up to 91% On Shipping
Across 550+ Courier Services
If you're looking for more cheap shipping options, check out the following guides: