Sling Orange vs. Blue: What’s the Difference?

These days, it seems like we’re spending a lot more time inside watching TV, which makes choosing the right streaming services more important than ever. Dish Network’s Sling TV is still a go-to, over-the-top (OTT) service for newbie cord-cutters and discerning TV lovers alike, offering live TV, on-demand movies and series, and sports. Sling TV has long been known for its relatively bite-sized programming packages, rather than offering a single glut of channels, allowing users to choose the channels best suited to them. Being spoiled when it comes to choice poses a problem: How do you choose?

To get started with Sling TV, you’ll need to decide between two base packages: Sling Orange and Sling Blue, each of which costs $35 per month (Sling does offer frequent initial deals, but these are the standard fees). Which one do you pick? Should you bundle both for $50? The answers depend on your needs and preferences. In this quick guide, we’ll explain the benefits of each so you can make the right decision and raise your cord-cutter game.

What you get

If your channel needs are fairly simple, the choice between Sling Orange and Sling Blue could be an easy one, as there are a fair amount of channels included in both packages. These include coveted cable news channels like Bloomberg and CNN, lifestyle programming like the Food Network and Travel Channel, and popular cable staples such as AMC, TBS, TNT, Comedy Central, and History. That said, there are some essential differences between the two services, especially when it comes to sports and certain groups of networks.

How many streams can you watch?

Before we get into programming, one major differentiator you need to know between Sling Orange and Sling Blue has to do with the number of devices that can stream Sling TV simultaneously. Sling Orange is limited to a single stream, meaning you’ll be limited to watching on one device at a time. You can switch from one device to another, but you can never watch on both devices at the same time. Sling Blue offers up to three streams, making it a better option for larger households. If you’re only ever watching on one TV or mobile device at a time, this may not matter, but it’s definitely worth keeping in mind.

Sling channels

The number of streams aside, Orange and Blue offer separate channel packages, with some channels overlapping and some important channel differences. Here are a few of the most important points when comparing:

• Orange is the Disney-friendly channel. Notably, that means that viewers get ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN 3, which is great for keeping up on live sporting events. It also means that Orange viewers get access to the Disney Channel. Blue doesn’t get any of these channels.
• Blue has all of the Fox networks, including FS1, FX, Fox News, etc. It also adds MSNBC to the mix. Orange doesn’t have access to any of these channels.
• If you prefer to watch sports on networks like NBC Sports and the NFL Network, Blue may be the better bet — it has these channels while Orange does not, generally making it a better pick for pro football than Orange.

There are also other smaller differences to consider based on what’s important to you. Blue gets access to National Geographic, SyFy, and the Discovery Channel, while Orange does not, and so on. Check our table below for more information.

Extra channel packages

Now that we’ve looked at Sling TV’s core packages, it’s time to start thinking about add-ons for the perfect blend of content. Some packages, like Hollywood Extra — which offers movie channels like Sundance, Fandor, and Turner Classic Movies — are exactly the same for Orange and Blue packages. Others are very different: The Kids Extra is only available on Blue, while the AMC Extra is only available on Orange.

Some options also vary in the specific channels they offer. For example, Sling Blue offers fewer channels in its Sports Extra package, but its price is the same as Sling Orange’s Sports Extra Package at $11 per month. Blue’s Sports Extra, however, includes NFL Redzone, NBC Gold, and BIG Network. Orange offers ESPN NEWS, ESPN U, SEC ESPN, and the Longhorn Network instead. 

Best of both worlds

Sling TV markets itself as a cost-effective alternative to cable. However, having access to all the channels you’d have via cable will cause you to pay for both Sling Orange and Sling Blue. After adding up the cost of each of these services, the total edges closer to what your regular cable bill would be. Orange and Blue total $45 per month. Keep in mind, you’ll also have to pay for internet access in addition to these services. Below, We’ve created an all-inclusive list of the base channels available in either Sling Blue or Sling Orange and if you have both services combined.

If you still have more looming questions about Sling TV, check out our complete guide to the service. In addition to a full channel list, you’ll also find more detailed information about Sling, such as time-shifting channels and much more.

Sling is a bit of an underdog in the streaming services market, but its unique approach to streaming adds some real value for its subscribers. Sling gives you access to streaming content, but it also provides television on-demand. With all of these awesome benefits, consider giving Sling a try. You probably won’t regret it.

Full channel listings by package

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