Sling TV Returns to Roots With 20 Select Bundle

Sling TV has refocused its lineup around a single, simpler offering: the Sling Orange + Blue bundle, now marketed as the “20 Select Bundle� in some promotions. This bundle combines both of Sling’s core channel packages into one subscription, giving you roughly 50 channels for a single monthly price, rather than forcing you to choose between two separate plans. The move signals a return to Sling’s original 2015 strategy of offering one straightforward, low-cost live TV package, even as competitors push larger, more expensive channel lineups.

Formula

The calculator above works out the total cost of a Sling subscription over a given period. The formula is simple:

Total cost = Months subscribed × Monthly price

• Months subscribed (t): The number of months you plan to keep the service. Default is 12.
• Monthly price (d): The current monthly price of the bundle you are considering. Default is $60, but you can adjust it to match the exact price Sling shows for your region and promotions.
• Total cost: The result, in your local currency, assuming the monthly price stays constant for the entire period.

This is a pure multiplication. It does not account for taxes, equipment fees, or promotional discounts that may expire after a few months.

Worked Example

Using the default values from the calculator above:

1. You plan to subscribe for 12 months.
2. The monthly price is $60.
3. Total cost = 12 × $60 = $720.

The calculator shows $720.00 as the total, and $60.00 as the average monthly cost. If you only subscribe for 6 months at the same price, the total would be 6 × $60 = $360.

Background: Why Sling Is Going Back to Basics

Sling TV launched in 2015 as the first major standalone live TV streaming service. Its original pitch was simple: pick one of two small bundles — Orange or Blue — for $20 a month, and get a handful of popular cable channels without a contract. Over the years, it added more channels, more add-on packs, and more price tiers, which made the service harder to navigate. Meanwhile, competitors like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV raised prices and added dozens of channels, pushing the average live TV streaming bill above $70.

By 2025, Sling’s parent company, Dish Network, decided to consolidate. The “20 Select Bundle� is not an entirely new product; it is essentially the existing Orange + Blue plan, which already includes both the Orange-only and Blue-only channel lineups. The new marketing emphasizes that you get “20 of the most popular channels� in the base package, with the option to add more via themed extras. This is a return to the original philosophy: a smaller, cheaper bundle that covers the essentials, rather than a bloated all-in-one package.

How the 20 Select Bundle Works

The 20 Select Bundle combines the channel lineups of Sling Orange and Sling Blue into one plan. You get channels from both groups, which means you can watch ESPN (Orange) and local Fox or NBC affiliates (Blue, in select markets) on the same subscription. The “20� refers to the most-watched channels in the combined package, such as ESPN, TNT, TBS, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, HGTV, Food Network, and Disney Channel. You also get access to the full Sling app, cloud DVR (50 hours included), and the ability to stream on up to 4 devices simultaneously — 3 from the Blue side and 1 from the Orange side.

To sign up, you visit Sling.com, choose the Orange + Blue plan, and enter your payment details. There is no contract, so you can cancel anytime. The service works on most smart TVs, streaming sticks, phones, tablets, and web browsers. You can also add premium channels like HBO or Showtime, or genre packs like Sports Extra or News Extra, for an additional monthly fee.

How to Choose Between Sling and Other Live TV Services

Choosing a live TV streaming service depends on which channels you actually watch and how much you are willing to pay. Here are the key factors to consider:

• Channel coverage: Sling does not carry every local channel in every market. Check if your local ABC, CBS, Fox, or NBC affiliate is available. If not, you may need an antenna or a different service.
• Price: Sling Orange + Blue is typically cheaper than YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV, but it has fewer channels. If you only need a dozen channels, Sling is often the better deal.
• Simultaneous streams: Sling allows 4 streams on the combined plan, but only 1 stream can be on the Orange channels (like ESPN). If your household has multiple sports fans, this could be a problem.
• DVR: Sling includes 50 hours of cloud DVR. YouTube TV includes unlimited DVR. If you record a lot, that difference matters.
• Sports: Sling Orange includes ESPN and ESPN2, but not ESPN U or SEC Network unless you add the Sports Extra. YouTube TV includes all ESPN networks in the base plan.

Make a list of your “must-have� channels, then compare the base packages of Sling, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and DIRECTV STREAM. Sling is rarely the best choice if you need every local channel or a deep sports lineup, but it is often the best budget option.

Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

The most common complaint about Sling is missing local channels. Because Sling negotiates local broadcast rights on a market-by-market basis, some cities get Fox and NBC, while others get nothing. Before subscribing, enter your ZIP code on Sling’s website to see which locals are available in your area. If your local ABC or CBS is missing, you can often watch those channels for free with an over-the-air antenna, then use Sling for the rest.

Another frequent issue is the 1-stream limit on Orange channels. If you have two people in the same house who both want to watch ESPN at the same time, the second stream will be blocked. The only workaround is to upgrade to a plan that includes both Orange and Blue, which still only allows 1 Orange stream. For most households, this is not a problem, but it is worth knowing before you commit.

Finally, some users find the interface cluttered with add-on promotions. You can ignore these, but they can make the guide feel busy. You can also hide channels you never watch by customizing the guide in the settings menu.

Cost Comparison: Sling vs. Competitors

As of mid-2025, the typical monthly prices for major live TV streaming services are roughly:

• Sling Orange + Blue: ~$60/month (the “20 Select Bundleâ€� price, though promotions may lower it to $50 for the first month)
• YouTube TV: ~$73/month
• Hulu + Live TV: ~$77/month (with ads)
• DIRECTV STREAM: ~$80/month and up

Sling is almost always the cheapest option, but you get fewer channels and fewer local networks. If you only watch a handful of cable channels, Sling can save you $15–$20 every month compared to YouTube TV. Over a year, that adds up to $180–$240 in savings — enough to pay for a streaming stick or a few months of a premium add-on.

Is the 20 Select Bundle Right for You?

The 20 Select Bundle is a good fit if you are a cord-cutter who wants live news, sports (ESPN, TNT), and a few entertainment channels without paying for hundreds of channels you will never watch. It is also a solid choice for people who already have an antenna for local channels and just want the cable networks that are not available over the air.

It is not a good fit if you need all four major local networks (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC) in your stream, if you want every regional sports network, or if you have a large household where multiple people watch the same sports channel at the same time. In those cases, YouTube TV or DIRECTV STREAM may be worth the extra cost.

Before you sign up, use the calculator above to estimate your annual cost, then check Sling’s channel lineup for your ZIP code. If the channels you need are there, the 20 Select Bundle is one of the best values in live TV streaming.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is the “20 Select Bundle� on Sling?

It is the current name for Sling’s combined Orange + Blue plan. It includes about 50 channels in total, but Sling highlights the 20 most popular ones in its marketing. You get both the Orange lineup (ESPN, Disney, etc.) and the Blue lineup (Fox, NBC, TNT, etc.) for one monthly price.

Does the 20 Select Bundle include local channels?

It includes local Fox and NBC affiliates in select markets, but not ABC or CBS in most areas. You can enter your ZIP code on Sling’s website to see exactly which locals you will get. If you need ABC or CBS, you may need an antenna or a different service.

Can I watch ESPN on the 20 Select Bundle?

Yes, ESPN and ESPN2 are included in the Orange portion of the bundle. However, only 1 stream of any Orange channel can be active at a time. If you need multiple simultaneous ESPN streams, you would need to add the Sports Extra or consider a different service.

How much does the 20 Select Bundle cost per month?

The regular price is around $60 per month, but Sling frequently runs promotions for the first month (often $25–$30). The price can vary slightly depending on your region and whether you choose monthly or prepaid billing. Always check the current price on Sling’s website before subscribing.

Can I cancel the 20 Select Bundle anytime?

Yes, Sling is a no-contract service. You can cancel online at any time, and you will keep access until the end of your current billing period. There are no early termination fees.

Is Sling’s 20 Select Bundle cheaper than YouTube TV?

Yes, typically. Sling Orange + Blue is usually about $10–$15 per month cheaper than YouTube TV. The trade-off is that Sling has fewer channels, fewer local networks, and a more limited DVR (50 hours vs. unlimited). If you only need a few channels, the savings are worth it.

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in t | Months subscribed | months | 12 | 1 | 120
in d | Monthly price | USD | 60 | 0 | 500
out total | Total cost | USD | t * d | 2
out avg | Average monthly cost | USD/month | d | 2