Sling TV runs natively on LG Smart TVs from 2016 and newer. If your LG TV uses webOS 3.0 or later, you can download the Sling TV app directly from the LG Content Store and start watching live channels within minutes. I set this up on an LG C3 OLED running webOS 23 and had live TV playing in under three minutes.
This guide walks through the full installation process, explains what to do if your LG TV is too old for the app, and covers the most common streaming issues I’ve seen with Sling on LG hardware.
- LG TVs running webOS 3.0 or newer support the Sling TV app directly from the LG Content Store
- Sling TV costs $40 per month for either Orange (32 channels, 1 stream) or Blue (42 channels, 3 streams)
- Older LG TVs without app support can still stream Sling through a Fire TV Stick 4K, Roku, or AirPlay
- 50 hours of cloud DVR storage come included with every Sling plan at no extra charge
- Minimum 10 Mbps internet is needed for HD streaming, though 25 Mbps gives the best results for live sports
#How Do You Install Sling TV on an LG Smart TV?
The installation takes about two minutes. Your LG TV needs webOS 3.0 or newer, which covers every LG Smart TV made since 2016.
Here’s the process:
- Press the Home button on your LG remote
- Open the LG Content Store (shopping bag icon on webOS 3.0-5.0) or Apps (on webOS 6.0 and later)
- Search for Sling TV using the on-screen keyboard
- Select the Sling TV app and press Install
- Open the app after installation and sign in with your Sling credentials
If you don’t have an account yet, sign up at sling.com first. The website shows all available plans, current promotions, and any free trial offers. Creating an account on the TV itself works, but the web version makes it easier to compare plans side by side.
To check your webOS version, go to Settings > General > About This TV and look at the software version number. webOS 3.0 launched in 2016, so most LG Smart TVs sold in the past decade qualify.
#Sling TV Plans and Pricing
Sling offers two base packages, and picking the right one depends on what you watch.
Sling Orange ($40/month) includes 32 channels focused on sports and entertainment. You get ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, Disney Channel, CNN, AMC, and TNT. The catch: only one device can stream at a time.
Sling Blue ($40/month) has 42 channels with a different lineup. It includes Fox, NBC, Bravo, NFL Network, USA, and Discovery. Blue allows three simultaneous streams, which works better for households with multiple viewers.
Sling Orange + Blue ($55/month) combines both lineups. You get the full channel list plus four simultaneous streams.
All plans include 50 hours of cloud DVR. Sling sells a DVR Plus upgrade with 200 hours of storage for an additional monthly fee. I record NFL games and watch them after they air, and the 50-hour limit fills up fast during football season.
For sports fans, check out what’s available with ESPN on Sling TV and MLB on Sling TV.
#Workarounds for Older LG TVs Without Sling TV Support
LG TVs running webOS 2.0 or older can’t install the Sling TV app. That includes most LG Smart TVs made before 2016. You still have several ways to watch.
#Connect a Streaming Device
Plug an external streaming device into one of your TV’s HDMI ports. These all have native Sling TV apps:
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Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K ($49.99) is my go-to recommendation. It supports 4K, Dolby Vision, and loads Sling in about 4 seconds. If you use Sling on other devices too, read the Sling TV on Fire TV Stick setup guide.
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Roku Streaming Stick 4K ($49.99) is another solid option. Roku’s interface keeps Sling easily accessible from the home screen.
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Apple TV 4K ($129) is the premium choice. If you already own an iPhone or iPad, AirPlay integration works without any extra setup.
#Use AirPlay from an iPhone or iPad
LG TVs made from 2018 onward support AirPlay 2, even models too old for the Sling app. Open Sling TV on your iPhone or iPad, start playing a channel, and tap the AirPlay icon to send it to your LG TV. Both devices need to be on the same Wi-Fi network.
#Cast from an Android Device
If your LG TV has built-in Chromecast support (select 2019+ models with webOS 4.5+), open the Sling app on your Android phone and tap the Cast icon. This mirrors the stream to your TV without needing any additional hardware.
#How Do You Fix Common Sling TV Issues on LG TVs?
Most Sling TV problems on LG hardware come down to three things: the app, the internet connection, or the TV firmware. Here are the fixes I use.
#App Won’t Load or Crashes
Power cycle the TV first. Unplug it from the wall, wait 60 seconds, then plug it back in. LG’s support library recommends this as the first step for any app issue. If that doesn’t work, delete Sling and reinstall it.
#Buffering During Live Streams
Sling TV recommends at least 10 Mbps for HD content and 25 Mbps for reliable live sports streaming. Sling’s support page confirms that lower speeds cause frequent buffering on live channels. Run a speed test on your TV by opening the built-in web browser and going to fast.com.
Try a wired Ethernet connection if Wi-Fi is unreliable. After streaming Sling on my LG C3 for three months, switching to Ethernet cut buffering to zero.
#Error Messages
Restart your TV and router together. Unplug both, wait 30 seconds, plug the router in first, wait for it to fully boot, then power on the TV. This resolves most Sling error codes. If your TV shows a numbered error code, write it down before rebooting so you can search it on Sling’s support site if the problem comes back.
For persistent errors, check Sling TV’s support page and search the specific error code. Some codes indicate server-side issues that resolve on their own.
#App Not Found in Store
Update your TV firmware at Settings > All Settings > General > About This TV > Check for Updates. If Sling still doesn’t appear, your webOS is too old.
#Sling TV vs Other Live TV Streaming Services
Sling TV’s biggest advantage is price. At $40/month for a single base plan, it costs less than YouTube TV ($72.99/month), Hulu + Live TV ($76.99/month), and fuboTV ($79.99/month). According to Tom’s Guide, Sling consistently ranks as the most affordable live TV option. The trade-off is a smaller channel lineup.
Sling lacks ABC, CBS, and local NBC stations in some markets. If local channels matter to you, YouTube TV or fuboTV covers all four major broadcast networks. See how the services stack up in these comparisons: Sling TV vs YouTube TV, Sling TV vs fuboTV, and Sling TV vs Philo.
For a similar LG TV streaming setup with other services, check the guide for fuboTV on LG TV.
Sling’s add-on system is a real strength. You can bolt on Sports Extra ($11/month), Comedy Extra ($6/month), or premium channels like Starz and SHOWTIME individually. This lets you build a custom lineup instead of paying for channels you never watch.
#Sling TV Add-Ons and DVR on LG TV
Every Sling plan includes 50 hours of cloud DVR. I tested recording on my LG setup and the cap fills fast during football season.
Sling’s DVR Plus add-on bumps storage to 200 hours for an extra monthly fee. You can also add channel packs: Sports Extra ($11/month) brings NFL RedZone, NBA TV, and NHL Network. Entertainment Extra includes Cooking Channel and DIY Network. Each add-on shows up immediately in the Sling app on your LG TV with no reinstall needed.
#Bottom Line
If your LG Smart TV runs webOS 3.0 or newer, installing Sling TV takes two minutes. Pick Blue for more channels or Orange for ESPN.
For older LG TVs, a Fire TV Stick 4K plugged into an HDMI port gives you full Sling TV access for a one-time $49.99 investment. Update your TV firmware regularly to keep the app running smoothly, and use a wired Ethernet connection if live sports buffering is an issue.
#FAQ
#Does Sling TV work on all LG Smart TVs?
No. Your LG TV needs webOS 3.0 or newer, which covers models from 2016 onward. Check your version under Settings > General > About This TV. If your TV runs an older webOS, connect a Fire TV Stick or Roku to an HDMI port instead.
#Is the Sling TV app free to download on LG TV?
The download is free. You need a paid subscription starting at $40/month to watch content.
#Can you watch Sling TV on multiple LG TVs at the same time?
That depends on your plan. Sling Orange allows only one stream at a time across all devices. Sling Blue supports three simultaneous streams. If you have the combined Orange + Blue plan, you get four simultaneous streams total, so multiple LG TVs in different rooms can each run Sling at the same time.
#Why does Sling TV keep buffering on my LG TV?
Slow internet is almost always the cause. Check your speed at fast.com.
#What channels come with Sling TV?
Orange has 32 channels (ESPN, Disney, CNN, AMC) and Blue has 42 (Fox, NBC, NFL Network, Bravo). Both cost $40/month. The combined $55/month plan gives you everything.
#How do you record shows on Sling TV?
Every Sling plan includes 50 hours of cloud DVR at no extra cost. Open the program guide, find the show you want to record, and select the record option. Recordings stay available for as long as you keep your subscription active. If 50 hours isn’t enough, Sling offers a DVR Plus add-on with 200 hours of storage.
#Can you use AirPlay to watch Sling TV on an LG TV?
Yes, on LG TVs from 2018 onward with AirPlay 2. Open Sling on your iPhone, play a channel, and tap the AirPlay icon to send it to your TV.
#Does Sling TV have local channels?
Sling Blue includes Fox and NBC in select markets, but it doesn’t carry ABC or CBS in any market. If local broadcast channels are a priority, an indoor HD antenna paired with Sling fills the gap for about $20 one-time cost. YouTube TV or fuboTV are better options if you want all local channels included in the subscription.