With streaming services like Hulu, Netflix, and Disney+ providing on-demand content, many people are cutting their cable bills.
While eliminating cables can also mean rejecting your favourite cable TV shows that may not make it to streaming, that option seems less likely every day.
Studios, channels, and tech companies have launched their streaming services, making sure someone gets the shows you’re watching.
There can also be a happy medium. In addition to Hulu + Live TV, Dish Network’s Sling TV is another live streaming service that lets you watch your soap operas or talk shows in the afternoon.
On this page, we bring to you Sling TV vs Hulu Live differences and all you need to know.
Sling TV vs Hulu Live: Intro
The TV streaming service isn’t worth a dime if you can’t see what you want. Fortunately, Sling and Hulu + Live TV will let you watch several of your favourite channels, but each works a little differently.
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV only has one main subscription option which has almost everything in its catalogue. Fortunately, that’s a lot.
Most customers can expect to find four major networks (ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC) represented by their local affiliates (although this varies by region), as well as several major cable channels such as FX, US. I TNT., 24-hour news networks like CNN, Fox News and MSNBC, and sports channels like ESPN and Fox Sports 1.
Actual channel setup varies by location, so if there is a channel that suits your review, see Hulu listings for your region before registration.
However, Hulu doesn’t have everything. You also won’t find many channels owned by Viacom, like Comedy Central and MTV, or AMC Networks.
You can subscribe to premium networks like Showtime and HBO through Hulu for an additional fee, as well as additional packages: the Entertainment plugin includes Destination America and Cooking Channel, while the Spanish plugin includes multiple Spanish channels. Prices for them start at $5 and go up to $15 per month.
As a bonus, with the subscription, you will also have access to the standard Hulu service.
This gives you access to many great movies and TV shows, including online episodes that aired a day or two earlier (the Viacom features listed above fall into that category, thankfully), as well as series acclaimed originals. Criticism of Hulu as The Maid’s Tale.
Sling TV
Sling TV on the opposite hand, offers an on-demand model that lets you select which channels you will receive.
You only pay for the shows you watch, which is good. On the flip side, it complicates signing up for Sling TV and forces you to do a bit of math when calculating costs.
Sling TV subscriptions start with two basic packages: Orange and Blue. There is some overlap between them: the orange and blue packages, for example, come with TNT, CNN, and Cartoon Network.
Orange also offers properties owned by Disney, which means it is more sports-oriented thanks to ESPN’s three networks.
Sling TV Orange Channels List
In contrast, Blue offers more entertainment options, including AMC, FX, and Comedy Central; giving it an upper edge in the Sling TV vs Hulu Live.
As of this article, Blue is also the only place you can find NBC and Fox, as long as they’re accessible in your area. You can also subscribe to blue and orange at a reduced price.
Sling TV Blue Channels List
Other Sling TV channels have optional extras that cost between $5 and $15 and are usually grouped according to topics like kids, comedy, news, and more. Here things get awkward on the Sling TV vs Hulu Live thread.
The add-on package you get depends on the essential subscription you have. For instance, if you subscribe to Sling Orange, the “Sports Extra” package includes ESPNews, ESPN Goal Line, and ESPN Loads Loads.
Sports Extra won’t own any of that if you subscribe to Sling Blue, but you’ll have NFL Network, NBC Golf, RedZone, and the Olympic Channel.
You can also add a few individual channels, like the wellness-focused Grokker, for a few extra bucks, as well as premium channels like Cinemax and Showtime.
Please note that Sling TV does not currently support HBO subscriptions due to a dispute between its parent company, AT&T, Dish Network, and does not offer you any way to watch ABC or CBS.
Sling TV vs Hulu Live: Prices
Sling’s pay-per-view model makes it difficult to compare prices between Sling and Hulu directly, but these are the basics.
Hulu + Live TV costs $55 per month for around 60 channels, plus anything offered on regular Hulu (the price goes up to $61 if you want a commercial version of the Hulu on-demand platform).
It’s expensive, but it’s a lot of fun. The basic Sling orange and blue packages cost $30 per month or $45 together, following recent price increases. The other chains and Sling features will set you back between $5 and $25, depending on the specific accessory pack.
At time of printing, you can get your first month of Orange and Blue Slingshot for $20 per piece or $35 together as part of an introductory promotion for a limited time (it’s unclear how long this will last. Sling often has promotions for fresh subscribers, like a free Amazon Fire TV Stick with two months in advance. However, this promotion is not always available.
Hulu’s deals aren’t that great, but you can combine the service with Disney+ and ESPN+ for a 6-month plan. This is by no means an obstruction and only pays if you regularly use at least two of these services, but every detail is essential.
Additional features like Hulu’s Unlimited Screens (more info below) or Sling’s cloud-based DVR will also increase the price of the subscription, as will premium channels like Starz, Showtime and (Hulu only) HBO.
Subscriptions to these channels cost the same as anywhere else unless the supply is limited, so expect to spend $15 for HBO, $9 for Cinemax and Showtime, and more. Both services also allow a free seven-day trial period.
Building on its reputation for being the best value for money, Sling also regularly offers free content. They are usually associated with promotions, such as the “Stay in & Sling” initiative, which aims to inform and entertain you during current downtimes.
It grants free live news coverage and thousands of on-demand movies and TV shows. Hulu has already provided its content for free in moderation through partners like Yahoo! but he was no longer available and was not as rich as the Sling.
Devices
Sling TV and Hulu + Live TV work on all standard streaming devices, so if you have a Roku tablet, Amazon Fire TV or Fire, Apple TV, Chromecast stick, game console, or personal computer, there are strong chances that this will be established.
However, if your hardware is older, it may not be compatible, so it’s worth checking the Hulu and Sling device compatibility lists before handing over the money.
If you choose to use a smart TV to stream media content, Hulu has few advantages. Hulu’s standard app works almost everywhere, but the Live TV option is only available on select Samsung, LG, and Vizio SmartCast TVs. On the other hand, the Sling stops at Samsung and LG stations.
When it comes to game consoles, both services will work well on the Xbox One, while Hulu + Live TV will work on the Nintendo Switch as well.
Classic Hulu will play on Sony devices, but neither Hulu + Live TV nor Sling TV is available on Sony TVs, Blu-ray players, or PlayStation consoles, which was once believed to be responsible for Sony’s PlayStation Vue service, which is missing now.
Again, there are a plethora of streaming options out there, and you can’t always assume that every app is ready for your device, so check the compatibility lists online before opting for the service. Prevention is better than cure.
Additional Features
Modern cable companies offer all kinds of additional features, as well as Hulu + Live TV and Sling TV.
Number of Screens
With a usual Hulu + Live TV subscription, you can stream shows to two different screens at the same time. To add more screens, you’ll need to subscribe to the $15 Unlimited Views plugin, which lets you stream to as many computers as you want while you’re at home and to three mobile devices on the go.
With Sling, the number of simultaneous transfers depends on the base plan you choose. Orange subscribers get only one, while blue subscribers get three. It can be frustrating, especially if you’re paying for both, leaving you with some channels that can’t stream at the same time.
Interface
The Hulu + Live TV interface is similar to its on-demand offering. You can search for shows, add your favourites to the list, filter by genre and watch recently watched channels, but the current programming network does not exist.
You can see what’s going on right now, but if you’re trying to figure out what’s coming next, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
The Sling TV has a layout and is simpler than what you’ll find on most set-top boxes. Sling TV also has an additional feature for sports fans called Game Finder, which makes it easy to discover upcoming games and matches and lets you know if they are available.
It’s useful, and you don’t need a Sling TV subscription to use it; go to the Game Finder website and present it a try.
Conclusions on Sling TV vs Hulu Live
If you’re searching for a service that gives you everything you can get, it’s hard to go against Hulu + Live TV. Hulu’s unique subscription plan is not only easier to understand, but also gives you more channels in advance, including the four major transmission networks.
You’ll also have access to the regular Hulu on-demand service, which is a must for most cable cutters. On the other hand, if you are on a budget and only watch a few specific channels, Sling TV can conserve you a few bucks.
Combine the Sling with an HDTV antenna (which should help you weed out streaming networks) and Netflix, which you’re probably a subscriber to anyway, and you’ll end up with a pretty scary and profitable entertainment collection.
