TV Answer Man, I’ve been thinking of cutting the cord and getting Sling TV which seems like a good deal for $35 a month. But does Sling TV have local channels like CBS and NBC? That’s a deal breaker for me if they don’t. My wife won’t let me switch. — Terry, Houston.
Terry, before I answer your question, a few facts about Sling TV for readers who are not familiar with it.
Sling TV, which is owned by Dish, is a multi-channel, live streaming service that offers basic packages starting at $35 a month. (The service is now doing a limited-time promotion with the first month for just $10.)
Check out these best-selling antennas at Amazon.com.
There are two basic plans: Blue and Orange.
The Blue plan provides more than 50 channels including the three major cable news networks, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, as well as leading ‘basic cable’ networks as FS1, Bravo, The Cartoon Network, AMC, TNT, TBS, and your local Fox and NBC affiliates in select markets.
The Orange package only offers more than 30 channels, but it includes ESPN, ESPN 2 and ESPN 3, which are must-haves for many sports fans. In addition, the Orange plan has CNN, Comedy Central, TBS, TNT and AMC.
Sling TV does not carry ABC or CBS in any market, but it does offer the local affiliates for NBC and Fox in some areas.
Here are the markets where Sling carries Fox:
| New York | WNYW |
| Philadelphia | WTXF |
| Chicago | WFLD |
| Detroit | WJBK |
| Washington, DC | WTTG |
| Atlanta | WAGA |
| Houston | KRIV |
| Orlando/Daytona/Melbourne | WOFL |
| Tampa/St. Petersburg | WTVT |
| Gainesville | WOGX |
| MIlwaukee | WITI |
| Minneapolis/St. Paul | KMSP |
| Dallas/Ft. Worth | KDFW |
| Austin | KTBC |
| Phoenix | KSAZ |
| Seattle | KCPQ |
| Los Angeles | KTTV |
| San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose | KTVU |
Here are the markets where Sling carries NBC:
| New York | WNBC |
| Philadelphia | WCAU |
| Chicago | WMAQ |
| Boston | WBTS |
| Washington, DC | WRC-TV |
| Miami/Ft. Lauderdale | WTVJ |
| Hartford/New Haven | WVIT |
| Dallas/Ft. Worth | KXAS |
| Los Angeles | KNBC |
| San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose | KNTV |
| San Diego |
Sling does not carry additional network affiliates because it’s trying to keep programming costs down, which allows it to charge just $35 a month for the base plan. Other live streamers, such as YouTube TV and Hulu Live, which do carry local channels, start at $64.99 a month. Sling instead recommends that subscribers use an antenna or the Locast app to watch their locals.
Terry, hope that helps. Happy viewing, and stay safe!
Check out these best-selling antennas at Amazon.com.
Have a question about new TV technologies? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvpredictions.com. Please include your first name and hometown in your message.
— Phillip Swann
Highly recommend Locast if you’re in one of their many markets. I use it all the time here in Atlanta. It’s $5/mo so you’re better off if you can use an antenna, but in my area I struggle to get a couple of channels so I enjoy the consistently great picture I get from Locast.
Since no local networks are available in my market, nor is locast available and i’m not going to fool with antenna and going forth n back….. i’ll stay with DirectV