Bad news, Sling TV fans: the YouTube TV rival is getting a big price hike
- Sling TV’s price increases will take effect from December 20
- All Blue and Orange plans increase by $5.99 per month
- But Sling is still undercutting similar rivals despite price increases
Sling TV has announced some pretty hefty price increases for all three of its plans, starting in December 2024. The increases are the first since 2022.
Sling Orange, the cheapest plan, goes from $40 to $45.99 per month, an increase of 15%. The same $5.99 increase comes to the other plans. Sling Blue currently costs $45 per month and the combined Blue + Orange plan is $60.
The new charges will take effect starting with the next billing cycle on or after December 20.
Why does this happen? According to Slingerit’s because of the program providers. “The price we pay to provide you with the programming you enjoy continues to rise well above the rate of inflation,” Sling said in a letter to customers.
But although “we actively fight for you every day to keep costs as low as possible”, it can no longer absorb rising costs.
A sector-wide problem
Sling rightly says that this is an industry-wide problem; other streamers have also increased their prices. And it points out that it still offers “some of the lowest prices in paid live TV.”
Its closest competitor in live TV streaming, YouTube TV, costs $72.99 for the basic plan, compared to $60 for Sling’s full offering; even with the price increase, Sling’s service will be cheaper, although it does differ in the range of channels it offers.
If you’ve been thinking about signing up with Sling but haven’t done so yet, there are some offers to reduce the cost: it’s currently offering half-price subscriptions for the first month, and there are additional offers, including $5 off the monthly Sling with Max bundle and similar add-ons like AMC and Paramount Plus With Showtime.
You can also get a free month of Premium Pass, which normally costs $32.99, to soften the blow.
