Sling Orange vs Sling Blue: Which Plan Is Right for You?

Sling Orange and Sling Blue are two channel packages from Sling TV, each with a different set of channels and a different number of simultaneous streams. Orange gives you 30+ channels, including ESPN and Disney, and lets you watch on one device at a time; Blue gives you 40+ channels, including Fox and NBC, and allows three simultaneous streams. The right choice depends on which channels you watch most and how many people in your household need to watch at once.

What Is Sling TV?

Sling TV is a live TV streaming service owned by Dish Network. It launched in 2015 as one of the first major cable-TV alternatives that didn’t require a contract or a cable box. Instead of offering one giant package, Sling splits its channels into two main base plans: Orange and Blue. You can subscribe to either one alone, or combine both for a discount. The service works on smart TVs, streaming sticks, phones, tablets, and web browsers, and it includes cloud DVR storage so you can record shows to watch later.

Channel Lineup: Orange vs Blue

The biggest difference between the two plans is the channels they carry. Orange is built around Disney-owned networks, while Blue is built around NBC and Fox networks.

• Sling Orange includes ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, Freeform, and the ACC Network. It also has CNN, AMC, TBS, TNT, HGTV, Food Network, and a few others.
• Sling Blue includes Fox, NBC, MSNBC, CNBC, Fox News, USA, Bravo, FX, FXX, National Geographic, and Syfy. It also has many of the same general entertainment channels as Orange, like AMC, TBS, TNT, HGTV, and Food Network.

Some channels appear in both plans, but the sports and local networks are what really separate them. If you want NFL games on Fox or NBC, you need Blue. If you want college football on ESPN or NBA games on ESPN, you need Orange. Local channels are only available in certain markets, so you should check Sling’s website to see if your area gets Fox or NBC live.

Simultaneous Streams

Another key difference is how many devices can watch at the same time. Sling Orange allows only one stream at a time, which means if someone is watching ESPN in the living room, nobody else can watch anything on Sling from another TV or tablet. Sling Blue allows three streams at once, so up to three different people can watch different channels on different devices simultaneously.

This matters more than you might think. A family with kids who watch Disney and a parent who wants to watch sports will hit the one-stream limit quickly on Orange. Even a single person who likes to watch TV in the bedroom while the living room TV is on something else will find Orange restrictive. If you often watch on more than one screen, Blue is the safer bet.

Price and Bundling

As of 2025, Sling Orange costs $40 per month and Sling Blue costs $45 per month. If you want both, the combined plan is $60 per month, which saves you $25 compared to buying them separately. The combined plan gives you the full channel lineup from both packages, but it still only allows one stream for Orange channels and three streams for Blue channels. In other words, you can have up to four streams total, but only one of them can be an Orange-only channel like ESPN.

Both plans include 50 hours of cloud DVR storage, and you can upgrade to 200 hours for an extra $5 per month. There are no contracts, so you can cancel anytime. Sling frequently runs promotions for new subscribers, such as a discounted first month or a free streaming device, so the actual price you pay may be lower than the list price.

How to Choose Between Orange and Blue

Start by listing the channels you watch most. If you’re a sports fan who needs ESPN, Orange is the only option. If you watch broadcast networks like Fox or NBC, or you want MSNBC or CNBC, Blue is the only option. If you mostly watch general entertainment channels like AMC, TBS, or HGTV, both plans have those, so the deciding factor becomes the stream limit.

• Choose Orange if: You must have ESPN or Disney channels, you watch alone, and you don’t care about Fox or NBC.
• Choose Blue if: You want three streams, you need Fox or NBC, or you watch MSNBC, CNBC, or Bravo.
• Choose both if: You need ESPN and Fox/NBC, or you have multiple people with different channel needs.

If you’re still unsure, Sling offers a free trial for new customers, so you can test the channel lineup and streaming quality before committing.

Common Problems and Limitations

One common complaint about Sling Orange is the single-stream limit. Even if you’re the only person using the account, you might want to start a show on your phone and then move to the TV—that counts as a second stream and will kick the first one off. Sling Blue’s three-stream limit is more forgiving, but it still means you can’t have more than three devices watching at once.

Another limitation is the lack of local channels in some areas. Sling does not offer CBS at all, and ABC is only available in a few markets. If you rely on those networks for local news or sports, Sling may not be enough on its own. You can supplement with an over-the-air antenna or another streaming service, but that adds cost and complexity.

Streaming quality depends on your internet connection. Sling recommends a minimum of 5 Mbps for a single stream and 25 Mbps for multiple streams. If your connection is slow or unstable, you may experience buffering or reduced picture quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch ESPN on Sling Blue?

No. ESPN is only available on Sling Orange. Blue includes Fox Sports and NBC Sports, but not ESPN. If you want ESPN and also want Blue channels, you’ll need the combined Orange + Blue plan.

Does Sling Orange or Blue include local channels?

Blue includes Fox and NBC in select markets, and Orange includes ABC in a few markets. Availability depends on your zip code. You can check Sling’s website by entering your address to see which local channels you’ll get.

Can I change from Orange to Blue later?

Yes. You can switch between plans anytime, and the change takes effect immediately. You’ll be charged the prorated difference for the rest of your billing cycle. You can also add the other plan as an add-on.

Which plan is better for sports?

It depends on the sport. Orange is better for college football, NBA, and soccer because it has ESPN. Blue is better for NFL games on Fox and NBC, and for NHL games on NBC Sports. For the most comprehensive sports coverage, you’ll want both plans.

How many people can watch at once on Sling Orange?

Only one person can watch at a time on Sling Orange. If you try to watch on a second device, you’ll get an error message. Blue allows three simultaneous streams.

Is Sling Orange or Blue cheaper?

Orange is $5 cheaper per month at $40, but Blue gives you more channels and more streams. The combined plan is $60, which is the best value if you need both.

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