
Sling TV is broadening its offerings with a nationwide launch of Sling Essentials.
Perfect for sports fans who watch ESPN and ESPN2 all the time, or just families who want a more affordable platform, Sling Essentials offers both for just $19.99/month.
Sling Essentials
Sling Essentials is the new internet-streaming TV package through Sling TV, featuring an “unbeatable price” of $19.99/month for 12 total channels. The company claims it “offers the most cost-effective way to livestream ESPN and ESPN2.
The new streaming option is designed for those who want a streamlined, cost-effective way to watch live TV without all the extra channels and high monthly fees.
Channel Lineup

Sling Essentials features twelve channels to enjoy in a range of genres. The full list is below:
- Sports: ESPN and ESPN2
- Family & Kids: Disney Channel, Freeform, and Game Show Network (GSN)
- Movies & Drama: Lifetime Movies (LMN), Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Bounce
- Classic & Nostalgia: MeTV, startTV, GRIT, and Heroes & Icons (H&I)
Content for a Lower Price
Seth Van Sickel, Senior Vice President of Sling TV, talked about the new plan in a statement.
“Sling Essentials is the ultimate live streaming solution for viewers who want premium content without a bloated bundle. By delivering an unbeatable price for ESPN alongside top family and classic TV networks, Sling TV remains the industry leader in affordable entertainment.”
He added, “We believe you should pay only for the TV you want to watch, and Sling lets you do that. Whether you want to easily switch between channel lineups, add more sports, or stream your favorite movies, we give you the control and flexibility that fits your exact lifestyle and budget.”
This streaming option is comparable to the stand-alone ESPN Unlimited service from Disney. While it may contain more sporting content, it costs $29.99/month, making Sling Essentials more affordable.
Enhancing Sling Essentials

The Sling Essentials plan comes with 50 hours of DVR storage. However, customers can purchase additional packages to enhance their Essentials subscription.
For more DVR storage, you can upgrade to the Unlimited DVR + Replays add-on for $5/month. Or, add more channels with add-ons like Sports Extra, News Extra, Kids Extra, Entertainment Extra, or Latino Extra.
As for direct-to-consumer apps, they are easy to include in your subscription, along with video on-demand and pay-per-view content.
Pairing with Sling Select
Along with featuring extras, Sling TV is offering a $34.99/month bundle of Sling Essentials plus Sling Select, which features channels like Fox News, FS1, NFL Network, and National Geographic. The Sling Select package alone is $19.99/month.
This way, you can get more channels through two services at a discount, and enjoy all your favorite content in one place.