Sling TV is the oldest live TV streaming service on the market — and the one that kicked the cord-cutting game into high gear. Although many other live TV platforms have since entered the market, Sling has continued to stay competitive by offering a more streamlined, budget-friendly live TV streaming experience to subscribers. The service also offers numerous add-ons, on-demand programming and options to rent some shows and movies.
However, Sling has fallen behind the competition in one key area: local channels. With Sling TV, local channels are only available in select markets. Even then, Sling doesn’t offer all local major networks, as some competitors do, and the service charges viewers extra in markets where channels are available.
Before you decide if Sling is a good fit, it’s important to know what kind of local coverage you’re getting and answer questions like “Is ABC on Sling?” Read on to learn more about what Sling looks like in your area.
Limited local channel availability
Does Sling have local channels? Yes, but only in a limited capacity. Sling only offers ABC, Fox and NBC in select markets across the U.S. However, when it comes to local channels like The CW, PBS or CBS, Sling doesn’t offer any coverage.
If Sling TV local channels are available in your market, you’ll need a subscription to Sling Blue or Sling Orange & Blue, and you may see an additional fee on your monthly subscription.
Here’s where you can currently find each network on Sling.
ABC
- Chicago
- Fresno
- Houston
- Los Angeles
- New York
- Philadelphia
- Raleigh-Durham
- San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose
Fox
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Chicago
- Dallas/Fort Worth
- Detroit
- Gainesville
- Houston
- Los Angeles
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis-St. Paul
- New York
- Orlando/Daytona/Melbourne
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa/St. Petersburg
- Washington, D.C.
NBC
- Boston
- Chicago
- Dallas/Fort Worth
- Miami/Fort Lauderdale
- Hartford/New Haven
- Los Angeles
- New York
- Philadelphia
- San Diego
- San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose
- Washington, D.C.
Watching local channels with AirTV
Although this lack of Sling TV local channels may be disappointing to many streamers, it’s worth noting another option. With an HD antenna, an AirTV device and a Sling subscription, you can stream your local channels for free.
To do this, you’ll need to connect your antenna to your AirTV, and then plug that into your preferred streaming device. Once connected, you can stream all local channels, includingCBS, PBS and The CW, to your Sling TV app or mobile device — they’ll even show up in your channel guide on Sling. If you set up an AirTV Anywhere, you can record your local shows and save them to your Sling library to watch later.
To ensure this setup will work for you, Sling recommends connecting an HD antenna directly to your TV before purchasing an AirTV device. Once you verify you’re getting over-the-air (OTA) channels, you can set up your AirTV device and start streaming.
Sling currently offers a few deals to reduce or eliminate the cost of an AirTV device:
- Prepay for two months of Sling and get a free AirTV mini.
- Prepay for three months of Sling and get an AirTV 2 with an HD antenna for $49 or an AirTV Anywhere with an HD antenna for $99.
Regional sports networks on Sling TV
Another key consideration with Sling TV local channels is the availability of regional sports networks (RSNs). Channels like Bally Sports, MSG Network, Marquee Network and NBC Sports RSNS are the main avenues for fans to catch their local teams, so these are essential for many sports-loving cord-cutters.
Unfortunately, Sling doesn’t offer any RSNs in its channel mix. If you want to watch local games, you’ll need to explore over-the-top services like Bally Sports Plus or opt for a live TV service like Fubo or DIRECTV STREAM.
Is Sling TV’s channel list worth it?
Sling TV offers one of the most affordable live TV streaming options on the market, but it’s clear that this low price comes at a cost. Viewers in some markets may have access to local channels, while others could be frustrated by having to create workaround solutions. Ultimately, whether Sling is worth it for you will depend on how many channels you want and whether streaming local channels and regional sports are top priorities for you. If so, other live TV streamers may offer more cost-effective options without the hassle.
FAQ
Can you get local channels on Sling TV?
Sling does have local channels in some markets. For example, ABC is on Sling in Chicago but not Atlanta, and CBS isn’t available on Sling at all. See the above lists for a complete guide to which local channels you can find in which markets.
Why isn’t NBC on Sling?
NBC is available on Sling in a few of the largest U.S. markets. Sling TV only offers local channels in select markets as a way to keep costs down and make the service more affordable for its subscribers.
How do I stream local TV?
Many live TV stream services offer some or all of the major local TV networks in most U.S. markets. Alternatively, you can connect your antenna to an AirTV or another similar device that can convert the signal and stream it to your TV.
Luke Daugherty is a freelance writer, editor, and former operations manager based in St. Louis. His work covers business, marketing, and personal finance, as well as many of his personal passions, including coffee, music, and social issues.
