How Sling Is Disrupting the Old Live TV Streaming Model

Streaming a big game, an awards ceremony or even a news special has started to feel like a game of Tetris. Which streaming service has that NCAA matchup this weekend? Can you get local networks? Does the subscription come with news channels?

On top of that confusion, live TV streaming bundles are getting ever more expensive, and looking more and more like traditional cable. But Sling is moving the opposite direction, innovating a new kind of customizable streaming experience you can tailor to exactly what you want to watch, when you want to watch it.

In 2025, Sling added two new flexible options to its menu that go beyond the traditional live TV streaming model. Sling Passes give you the freedom to stream live TV for a shorter period of time, with no recurring subscription. And Sling Select lets you zero in exactly what interests you, like sports or news, and pay less per month for just the live TV you actually watch.

With these new options, Sling is leading the way toward a more customizable, less expensive way to stream live TV, and they have even more innovations on the way.

How Sling is moving beyond old-fashioned streaming bundles

Sling recently introduced passes that let viewers sign up for as little as a single day of streaming. 

The new, more flexible streaming packages arrive after the cost of streaming services surged 20%, according to new research from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That news probably doesn’t come as much of a shock, as different live TV events, original series and Oscar-nominated films seem to appear exclusively on different streaming platforms each week. 

If you want to watch a specific program or show, you risk getting locked into yet another month-long or annual subscription (especially if you’ve already exhausted your free trial options). 

After testing out several streaming services, CNET named Sling TV one of its best overall live TV streaming services for cord-cutters, thanks to its affordability and channel variety. CNET experts even called Sling Blue "a cord-cutter's dream" in a review, adding that it "offers a wealth of live channels for a low price."

Whether you’re looking for a short-term streaming package or want to cut your streaming costs, Sling has options.

What are Sling’s new customizable subscription packages?

Here’s a breakdown of Sling’s new flexible Pass plans, along with a comparison to the popular Sling Select subscription tier. 

Sling Day Pass: Watch exactly when you want

Sling Day Pass offers 24 hours of streaming on-demand content without a commitment or contract. A Sling Orange Day Pass starts at $4.99, while the 3-Day Pass costs $9.99 and the 7-Day Pass  costs $14.99. Each pass comes with Sling Orange’s wide range of channels, including popular networks like ESPN, TNT and CNN.

Sling Select: Watch exactly what you want

Sling Select starts at $19.99 per month, and comes with over 10 channels, including the NFL Network, FS1, FX and National Geographic. Subscribers can watch on up to three different devices. It’s a good option if you’re a sports fan or a news-obsessed viewer, as the package comes with local networks like FOX, ABC and NBC, depending on where you live. Sling Select gets you curated news streaming and instant access live TV, with no long-term contracts to get in your way.

How do Sling Day Passes work? 

A Sling Day Pass works exactly as it sounds: Subscribers can stream Sling Orange channels on-demand for 24 hours. This comes in handy if you’re looking to watch a single game or live TV event, but don’t want to commit to a costly monthly subscription.

How much do Sling Day Passes cost?

Sling’s Day Pass costs less than a cup of coffee in most cities. A Sling Day Pass starts at $4.99 (1 Day), and goes up to $14.99 (7 Days).

Can I add extra channels to a Sling Day Pass for a day?

Yes, Sling Day Pass subscribers can get add-on channels with their 24-hour streaming access at an extra cost.

What’s the difference between Sling Blue, Sling Orange and Sling Select?

Here’s a breakdown of the prices and channel lineups for Sling’s main subscriptions:

You can also opt to subscribe to a combination package, Sling Orange & Blue, for $29.99 for your first month and $60.99 per month after that, unlocking more than 50 paid channels, including ESPN, NFL Network, USA, TNT, Bravo, FOX News, CNN, and more.