Youtube TV vs Sling: What’s the Difference, Which One Is Better?

It wouldn’t be a mistake for you to finally cut the connection after checking at your most recent cable bill. No matter the service provider, no matter the bundle, and no matter the discounts, the price increases for a basic cable connection are draining us dry. Streaming television is a blessing. These Internet-based cable companies, also referred to as virtual multichannel video programming distributors, allow you to stream television similarly to how Netflix or Hulu do. Which, however, is the finest for you? Below, we’ll contrast YouTube TV with Sling.

YouTube TV vs Sling: Side by Side Comparison

	YouTube TV	Sling
First Launched	February 28th, 2017	February 9th, 2015
Parent Company	Google	Dish Network
Price Per Month	Base Plan: $72.99 Spanish Plan: $34.99	Orange: $40 Blue: $40 Orange & Blue: $55
Number of Channels	100 channels (plus add-ons)	43 channels (plus add-ons)
Streaming Quality	720p-1080i	720p-1080p60
Exclusives	NFL Sunday Ticket	Magnolia Network
What s Not Included	ESPN3, NFL Network, A&E	CBS, NBC, Golf Channel
Number of Subscribers	5 million (est. 2023)	2.1 million (est. 2023)

YouTube TV vs Sling: What s the Difference?

The YouTube TV vs. Sling argument is a lot more nuanced and nuanced than it first appears. There are a few points from this discussion worth expanding on, including the monthly cost, the number of channels offered, the stream’s quality, and the kinds of exclusions you can anticipate. (Did we also mention DVR space?) In its own unique way, each of these variables merits consideration. As a result, we think it’s worthwhile to go into more detail about each one below. Then, we’ll be in a better position to choose between the two.

Price

First, let’s talk about cost: How do Youtube TV and Sling stack up financially? The only options available on YouTube TV are the standard plan ($72.99/month) and the Spanish-language plan ($34.99/month). There are three different Sling plans available: Sling Orange, Sling Blue, or Sling Orange & Blue for $55 a month. Both Sling and YouTube TV offer additional add-on packages for extra money, which could raise the cost of your subscription. Even still, YouTube TV’s base plan is more affordable than even the most costly Sling bundle.

Channels

The second is channel choice. What type of lineups can you anticipate with Sling and YouTube TV? In general, YouTube TV’s library is much bigger than Sling’s. Even the enormous library of Sling Blue & Orange can’t compare to what YouTube TV has to offer. To help you create a more individualized repertoire, Sling offers a vast selection of add-on packages and channel customization choices. Which would you prefer: A smaller lineup with more specialized channels that you watch much more frequently, or more channels for more money with many that go unused?

Quality

How about streaming quality, if you please? It should be noted that the streaming quality of network broadcasts affects both cable television and streaming television equally. As a result, YouTube TV and Sling are occasionally limited to 720p. Neither service can force the network to broadcast in anything other than 720p if it does. On-demand and live programming can both have greater quality, though. Sling broadcasts at 1080p60, a higher frame rate version of actual 1080p, but YouTube TV only goes as high as 1080i, which is a little worse than true 1080p.

What s Not Included

Fourth, a sensitive topic: What is missing from the YouTube TV vs. Sling comparison list? If we are going to take the time to discuss what each streaming television service offers, we ought to show the same consideration for what it does not. Some of those essential sports and entertainment networks, including ESPN3, NFL Network, A&E, and others, are absent from YouTube TV. The most fundamental network cable channels, such ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, and so forth, are not available on Sling. Both services have shortcomings, which makes them both far from perfect.

DVR Space

And finally, how much DVR storage can you anticipate from YouTube TV versus Sling? You can record the shows and programs you wish to watch on DVR space and watch them later at a more convenient time. Although YouTube TV offers limitless storage, it deletes your DVR recordings nine months after they were recorded. You get 50 hours of DVR storage from Sling, and you can add more by paying extra. Your DVR content won’t be deleted unless you run out of space. The oldest piece of content in the library will be automatically deleted in this situation, with the option to restore it before permanently destroying it.

The History of YouTube TV

Google’s response to the burgeoning streaming television market is YouTube TV. YouTube TV is an extension of YouTube that is seamlessly integrated into the user interface of the well-known streaming website. It enables you to watch thousands of on-demand movies and more than 100 live television channels. You can stream content from your iPad, smartphone, and, of course, smart TV. YouTube TV now has more than five million subscribers overall since its 2017 launch. (That is more than twice the number of subscribers Sling has.)

All of the most well-known channels were already on YouTube TV when it first launched, whereas Sling’s channel guide lacked ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox. The number of channels just increased from there. YouTube TV even included a number of prestigious sports networks, which is attractive. In order to have access to every Sunday afternoon NFL game outside of major markets, subscribers can additionally add an NFL Sunday Ticket to their membership. A significant contributing aspect to YouTube TV’s enormous subscriber base is its outstanding channel lineup.

YouTube TV made a wise decision to support the integration of additional premium cable networks and subscription services. With YouTube TV, you can log into (or sign up for) any of these rivals, from HBO and Showtime to Netflix and Hulu, and seamlessly incorporate their platforms into YouTube TV. You may now access an even wider variety of streaming movies and TV shows than you could with just YouTube TV. Overall, it’s one of the industry’s top rivals for streaming television. Sling is still a viable option, though.

How Sling Compares

Sling TV is unquestionably the more economical choice in the YouTube TV vs. Sling TV comparison. Sling TV was one of the first and most innovative streaming television services, debuting in 2015, and has since grown to have a few million customers. Sling appeals for its affordability and its basic channel guide, while also providing the same level of variety as YouTube TV in a much smaller package. After all, not everyone requires a huge selection of channels. Some people just need a few dozen necessities.

Sling has a compelling portfolio for both sports and entertainment enthusiasts, even though it lacks ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and those other tempting network cable options that may find on YouTube TV. This is highlighted by the two different bundle options it offers. Sports and family programs are prioritized by Sling Orange, whilst news and entertainment channels are prioritized by Sling Blue. Any and all of your specific television requirements can be met by a Sling bundle, including those for ESPN, CNN, Disney Channel, and AMC.

Additionally, for only $6 more each bundle, Sling’s collection of add-on channel packages enables you to further tailor your lineup. Actually, one of Sling’s biggest advantages over YouTube TV has to be the streaming television service’s abundance of customizing choices. A la carte television streaming was essentially invented by Sling. You don’t read the newspaper? You don’t need channels geared at kids, do you? So why should I pay for them? People wish cable providers would permit this kind of thinking. (Not to mention a contributing element to Sling’s success.)

YouTube TV vs Sling: 5 Must-Know Facts

• As a product of Dish Network, Sling TV offers subscribers access to pay-per-view events. This allows users to purchase and stream live sporting events and special broadcasts with an additional one-time fee.
• Both YouTube TV and Sling offer up to three simultaneous streams at a time. This means that three different people can be watching three different channels from three different devices using the same account with no service interruptions.
• Sling routinely offers free preview weekends that give subscribers access to a premium network or service completely free of charge between Friday and Sunday. Past offers have ranged from Showtime to NBA League Pass and countless other premiums in between.
• YouTube TV is not to be confused with YouTube Premium, which is YouTube s other video subscription service. YouTube Premium does not offer live television broadcasts, but instead removes advertisements from most YouTube videos.
• Sling TV has recently introduced a feature it calls Multi-View. This feature lets subscribers watch as many as four different channels at one time, each in its own split-screen box. While it s not supported on all devices, it can be useful during big sporting event tournaments.

YouTube TV vs Sling: Pros and Cons

Pros of YouTube TV	Cons of YouTube TV
Larger channel lineup than Sling	More expensive than Sling
Special subscription for Spanish-language TV	Streaming is capped at 1080i
Built into YouTube s user-friendly interface	Some top channels are missing
Unlimited DVR space	DVR recordings delete after nine months

Pros of Sling	Cons of Sling
More channel packages than YouTube TV	Fewer channels in base packages
Cheaper than YouTube TV	Must purchase add-ons for more channels
One of the pioneers of streaming television	No network cable channels (ABC, CBS, etc.)
Parent company is Dish Network	No designated Spanish-language plan

YouTube TV vs Sling: Which One Is Better?

Which streaming service has the best selection, then? Depending on your personal television preferences. Because everyone has different viewing preferences, it’s challenging to determine with perfect confidence which choice you should favor. However, it seems reasonable to conclude that Sling TV deserves to surpass YouTube TV because to its reduced cost and greater customizability. Choose YouTube TV if all you’re interested in is getting the most channels possible, regardless of cost. But choose Sling TV if you want your streaming television provider to be affordable and customizable.