Navigating Sling TV's Increasingly Complex Offerings

Over the last year-and-a-half, cord cutting options have exploded. While it used to be that cord cutters could only legally watch content on demand, Sling TV changed all of that back in January 2015 by offering the first ever linear live streaming service. The initial offering comprised about 20 channels for a flat fee of $20 per month. Simple, cheap, and easy.

However, the original package only met the needs of certain viewers. Sure you could finally get ESPN without cable, but there was still a big hole without FS1 or NBCSN. Then PlayStation Vue went nationwide and filled that gap with a bit more expensive service, but the lack of device support and confusion over the PlayStation name seems to have held it back (why didn't they call it Sony Vue or VueTV like this Reddit thread suggested?).

Fast forward a couple of months and Sling TV released their beta Multi-stream package with a FOX lineup that included FS1 and even some regional sports channels. This package was also priced at $20 per month, but had plenty of overlapping channels with their standard core "Best of Live TV" package. The difference? It didn't include ESPN or the other Disney-owned channels, but it allowed users to stream on up to three devices simultaneously (the ESPN package only allows for one stream at a time).

While the two packages made sense for some people depending on their channel needs, others looking for an overall multi-sports sports solution had to basically purchase two separate packages with many of the same channels. So as you can imagine, things started to get a bit convoluted.

All of this lead up to Sling TV's newest major announcement. On June 30, Sling TV brought the Fox package out of beta and renamed it "Sling Blue". In the process, they bumped the price up to $25 per month and added a ton of new channels. A few notable additions include: NBC live stream in select markets, NBCSN, USA, BRAVO, and SyFy, and BBC America.

If you were already subscribing to the Multi-stream Beta package, have no fear. A Sling TV spokesperson assured Motherboard that "all beta users for multi-stream will remain at their $20 price point with their current subscription." That comes along with the new channels, so if you got in early, you're in luck.

The original "Best of Live TV" package has been renamed "Sling Orange" and remains at the same $20 price point. The only real difference with this package is they added BBC America.

Need the channels in both packages? Sling is offering a $5 discount if you sign up for both Sling Blue and Sling Orange, putting you at $40 per month. From here you still have the option to include extra add-on packages, such as Sports Extra and Lifestyle Plus Extra. Sling also made some changes here, the most notable of which are the additions of the Golf Channel to the Sports Extra package, as well as E! and Oxygen to the Lifestyle package. They also revamped the World News package with BBC World News, CNBC, and MSNBC to the World News package.

Whew—that's a mouthful! The options are many, but admittedly it's a bit to work through. Sling TV is walking a thin line between providing true skinny bundle packages at the most affordable prices on the market and the confusing nature of cord cutting that has kept many from breaking up with cable in the first place.

Either way you look at it, Sling TV is beefing up its offerings to become a more legitimate cable TV alternative. The addition of NBC and NBCSN means Sling TV customers can watch the Tour de France online, not to mention get all the Olympics coverage they want (NBC has the rights to broadcast the Olympics through 2032).

As for NFL? According to a Sling spokesperson, "Viewers in the markets where NBC and Fox are available will be able to watch live NFL games, subject to the same mobile blackouts." Good news for many football fans out there.

Admittedly, it's a lot to take in and digest. But if you're still scratching your head trying to wrap your mind around the changes, keep in mind that you can try any and all the packages for seven days with a free trial. You can also go here and click the chat button at the bottom to get an explanation from a customer service rep.

Hey, it's a lot better than calling Comcast.