Sling TV vs YouTube TV: Extensive Channel Lineup or Affordability?

When you have to differentiate between two streaming services, you always determine on the basis of various parameters. Like, if it’s Sling TV vs YouTube TV, you differentiate them on the basis of channels they offer, at what price they offer their services, do they have a sound cloud DVR, whether they are easy and comfortable to navigate, and so on. So, let us discuss both of them, and then you can decide what to choose.

When I have to choose, I look forward if these services offer a free trial. A free trial gives an insight of what Internet TV services have to offer. Some are inclined towards lifestyle and news channels, while some are more proficient in showing sports channels.

So, it clearly depends on the end user to choose the service that suits them. Here we are comparing Sling TV and YouTube TV. A complete analysis of both services under different heads shall be sufficient for the readers to decide what suits them. 

Sling TV vs YouTube TV

Sling TV and YouTube TV are both Internet services that aim to offer the best of their services to their subscribers. Both offer entertainment under different packages and bundle to suit the subscribers pocket and tastes, and preferences.  

Price Comparison Between Sling TV and YouTube TV

Price is certainly the first consideration when it comes to selecting an Internet TV service for your family. Price-wise, Sling is an affordable option as compared to the premium services of YouTube TV.  To begin with, the subscription plans for Sling TV commence from $30 per month if you choose between Sling Orange and Sling Blue. If you club both of them, it would cost $45 . For the premium package, they offer 50-plus channels only. 

Coming to YouTube TV,  the basic plan here starts at $64.99 per month. This entry-level plan offers 85 channels, which is quite a number. In this package, it also offers unlimited cloud DVR.

YouTube TV’s basic plans cost $64.99 per month. This is the entry-level plan, and it offers 85 plus channels besides three streams at a time. 

Channel Comparison Between Sling TV and YouTube TV

YouTube TV has much more channels as compared to Sling TV. There are 36 local channels across the US from the NBC and Fox networks. On the other hand, YouTube TV has a hefty number of 391 local channels from the Networks ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, and PBS. There are more local channels that YouTube TV offers. 

Sling TV Channels

• A&E 
• AMC
• AXS TV
• BBC America
• BET
• Bloomberg Television
• CNN
• Cartoon Network
• Cheddar
• Comedy Central
• Comet 
• Disney Channel*
• EPIX Drive-In
• ESPN*
• ESPN2*
• ESPN3*
• Food Network
• Freeform*
• Fuse 
• HGTV
• History Channel
• IFC
• Investigation Discovery
• Lifetime
• Local Now
• MotorTrend*
• Nick Jr.
• Stadium
• TBS
• TNT
• Travel Channel
• Vice

*  Denotes Channels Exclusive to Sling Orange

Sling Blue ($35/month)

• A&E 
• AMC
• AXS TV
• BBC America
• BET
• Bloomberg Television
• Bravo*
• Cartoon Network
• Cheddar
• CNN
• Comedy Central
• Comet
• Discovery Channel*
• E!*
• Epix Drive-In
• Food Network
• Fox* (select markets)
• Fox News*
• Fox Sports 1*
• Fuse 
• FX*
• HGTV
• HLN*
• History Channel
• IFC
• Investigation Discovery
• Lifetime
• Local Now
• MSNBC*
• NBC* (select markets)
• NBC Sports Network*
• NFL Network*
• National Geographic*
• Nick Jr.
• SYFY*
• Stadium
• TBS
• TLC*
• TNT
• Travel Channel
• truTV*
• USA*
• Vice

*  Denotes Channels Exclusive to Sling Blue

YouTube TV Channels

• ABC
• ABC News Live
• ACC Network (ACCN)
• Adult Swim
• Big Ten Network (BTN)
• Bravo
• Cartoon Network
• CBS
• CBS Sports Network
• CNBC
• CNBC World
• CNN
• Comet
• Court TV
• Cozi TV
• CW
• Dabl
• Disney Channel
• Disney Junior
• Disney XD
• E!
• ESPN
• ESPN2
• ESPN3
• ESPNews
• ESPNU
• FOX
• Fox Business Network
• Fox News Channel
• Fox Sports 1 (FS1)
• Fox Sports 2 (FS2)
• Freeform
• FX
• FXM
• FXX
• Golf Channel
• HLN
• Investigation Discovery (ID)
• Local Now
• MLB Network
• MSNBC

• Nat Geo Wild
• National Geographic
• NBA TV
• NBC
• NBC News Now
• NBC Universo
• NBCLX
• NBCSN
• News Nation
• NFL Network
• Olympic Channel
• Oxygen
• PBS
• PBS Kids
• Pop
• QVC
• SEC Network
• Smithsonian Channel
• Start TV
• SYFY
• TBS
• TCM (Turner Classic Movies)
• Teen Nick
• Telemundo
• TNT
• truTV
• TYT Network
• Universal Kids
• Universo
• USA

So, YouTube TV is the clear winner.

Availability Comparison Between Sling TV and YouTube TV

On the other hand, Sling TV is geographically blocked out of the USA, so VPN or smart DNS might be required to watch Sling TV outside the USA. YouTube TV, also is confined to the US only. You can watch it locally while you are in the States.

So, there is no difference to make out.  

Device Compatibility Comparison Between Sling TV and YouTube TV

Sling TV Supported Devices

• Android and Apple iOS devices, 
• Android TV, Apple TV, macOS, and Windows computers.
• LG and Samsung smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV.
• Nexus Player, Roku, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S devices,
• Amazon Fire TV, Nexus Player, Roku, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S devices.

YouTube TV Device Support

• Media streaming devices – Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku,
• Smartphones, and Tablets – iOS, Android
• Smart TVs – Samsung TV, Vizio TV, HiSense, LG TV,
• Game Consoles – Xbox, Playstation
• Desktops and Laptops – Safari, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, 

So, it seems that there is no such difference if we talk of device support. 

User Interface Comparison Between Sling TV and YouTube TV

Sling TV has worked on its user interface for better navigation and browsing. There had been issues with the app; however, it is still working based on user reviews. Talking about YouTube TV has a very smooth and enhanced user interface. It is super easy to navigate and search shows and movies on any device that supports YouTube TV. 

So, YouTube TV is easy to surf.

Cloud DVR Comparison Between Sling TV and YouTube TV

YouTube TV has the best cloud DVR as it offers unlimited DVR. YouTube TV offers unlimited storage, and there is no need to manage the DVR. a user can stream on up to 3 devices at one time. With unlimited DVR storage, a subscriber can save various programs, which shall expire after 9 months. 

As with Sling TV, a regular subscription offers 50 hours of free DVR storage. If you purchase DVR plus for $5 on a monthly basis, a user gets 200 hours of DVR storage.

Clearly, YouTube TV is a winner. 

Overall Performance of Sling TV and YouTube TV?

Talking about the overall performance, YouTube TV is in a better position for its channels and unlimited cloud DVR. Cloud DVR permits subscribers to record and store a particular show for later viewing. This facility is not there with Sling TV. The only benefit of Sling TV is that its most expensive and biggest channel bundle is cheaper than YouTube TV. 

Who Wins: Sling TV or YouTube TV?

For me, both are the winners. Choose Sling TV if you want an affordable option for your family. Sling has good deals for subscribers. If we compare it with YouTube TV, the add-on packages offered by Sling TV are not pricey. In fact, its biggest pack is less expensive than YouTube TV. However, if you are more into premium channels, and want unlimited DVR, choose YouTube TV.

Wrapping Up

When we choose an Internet TV service for our day-to-day dose of entertainment, the first thing that comes to mind is the price tag associated with it. If you can purchase a good amount on premium channels, you can opt for a premium subscription like YouTube TV; similarly, if you think service with a limited channel lineup is sufficient for you, you can choose Sling TV; if the battle is: Sling TV vs YouTube TV. So, happy streaming.

Frequently Asked Questions