Cable bundles love charging you for channels you’ll never watch — Sling TV takes the opposite approach. You start with a lean base plan and then layer on small add-on packs (“Extras”) for only the channels you actually care about. Before you start building your lineup, it’s worth browsing Groupon’s Sling offers to see whether you can trim a few dollars off your first month. And if you’re still deciding whether Sling is the right fit, our Sling free trial alternatives guide walks you through the easiest ways to test the service without paying full price.

Here’s how Sling’s Extras system works, how much each add-on costs, and the smartest way to mix and match without overspending.

Step 1: Choose the Right Base Plan Before Adding Extras

Your base plan determines which channels you start with, how many people can watch at once, and which Extras deliver the best value. Making the right choice here saves money later.

If you want a deeper comparison of these plans, see our full Sling Orange vs Blue guide. Below is the quick version:

Sling Orange ($45.99/month): Best for Sports Fans

• Includes ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, Disney Channel
• 1 stream at a time
• Great for solo viewers or anyone who cares most about ESPN

Sling Blue ($50.99/month): Best for News & Entertainment

• Includes FOX, NBC (select markets), FX, USA, Bravo, MSNBC
• 3 streams at once
• Smart pick for households with multiple people watching

If you want to see which local channels are available in your area, our Sling TV local channels guide can you help you figure it out.

Sling Orange & Blue ($65.99/month): Best for Larger Households

• Everything from Orange + everything from Blue
• 3 streams across most channels
• Ideal if you want both ESPN and big entertainment networks

Your Complete Guide to Sling TV Extras (2025)

Sling Extras are small add-on packs grouped by theme. Most cost $6/month, with the exception of Sports Extra, which costs more because it includes premium sports networks.

Which Extras Are Actually Worth It?

Sports Extra ($11/month)

If you follow NFL, NBA, NHL or college sports, this is Sling’s most valuable upgrade. It unlocks channels Sling’s base plans don’t include — particularly NFL RedZone, which many fans consider a must-have.

News Extra ($6/month)

Good value if you want global or business news. If you’re already satisfied with Blue’s built-in news networks, you can skip this one.

Entertainment Extra ($6/month)

Great if you miss classic cable channels like MTV and Paramount Network. Nice to have — but only if you know you’ll watch them.

Kids, Lifestyle, Hollywood & Heartland Extras ($6/month each)

These niche packs can be perfect when you’re building a family or genre-focused package. Just avoid the temptation to collect them all — that’s how your “cheap streaming setup” can drift into cable territory.

Bundle Deals That Can Save You Real Money

4 Extras Deal — $13/month

Includes Entertainment, Kids, Lifestyle and News Extras (normally $24 total). A smart choice for households who’d add at least three of these anyway.

Total TV Deal — $21/month

Includes seven Extras plus the DVR Plus upgrade. Buying these separately would cost $47, so the savings are big — but only if you’ll use the majority.

How to Add, Remove or Test Extras Without Overpaying

One of Sling’s best features is flexibility — you can add or drop Extras anytime from your account settings. No contracts, no phone calls, no penalties.

• Add Sports Extra during football season, drop it afterward
• Try Entertainment Extra for a month before committing
• Experiment with the 4 Extras Deal, then keep only what you used

Your changes take effect with your next billing cycle, so you won’t get partial charges or unexpected fees.

DVR & Streaming Limits You Should Know

Every Sling plan includes 50 hours of free DVR. If you record a lot of content, DVR Plus boosts you to 200 hours for $5/month.

Streaming limits also matter:

• Orange: 1 stream
• Blue: 3 streams
• Orange & Blue: 3 streams across most channels

These limits help keep Sling’s prices low, but choose a plan that matches your household’s viewing habits — especially if multiple people stream at once.

Build Your Perfect Sling TV Package

Start with the plan that matches your core interests — Orange for ESPN, Blue for news and multiple streams. Then add Extras slowly, focusing only on what you really watch. After a month or two, you’ll know exactly which add-ons earn their keep.

If you’re upgrading your setup, take a moment to check Groupon’s current Sling deals. It’s one of the easiest ways to keep your customised package affordable.