Sling TV on Samsung Smart TV: Setup, Plans, and Tips

Sling TV gives Samsung Smart TV owners access to 50+ live cable channels without a cable contract. I’ve been using Sling on a 2022 Samsung QN85B for over a year, and the app runs smoothly on Tizen OS with no lag during channel switching. This guide covers installation, compatible models, current pricing, and tips to get the best experience on your Samsung TV.

#How Do You Install Sling TV on a Samsung Smart TV?

Installing Sling TV takes about three minutes. I tested this process on a Samsung TU7000 and a QN85B, and the steps were identical on both models.

1. Turn on your Samsung Smart TV and make sure it’s connected to Wi-Fi.
2. Press the Home button on your remote to open the home screen.
3. Select Apps from the bottom menu bar.
4. Use the search icon in the top-right corner and type “Sling TV.”
5. Select the Sling TV app from the results and click Install.
6. Once installed, open the app and either sign in with your existing Sling account or create a new one directly on the TV.
7. Pick your plan, enter payment details, and streaming begins right away.

The entire download and setup took under two minutes on a 50 Mbps connection during my test. If you don’t see the app in search results, your Samsung TV model may be too old. Check the section below on supported models.

#Supported Samsung TV Models

Sling TV works on Samsung Smart TVs manufactured in 2016 or later. That includes the full range of Samsung lineups from those years: Crystal UHD, QLED, Neo QLED, The Frame, The Serif, and 8K models. The app is built for Samsung’s Tizen OS platform (now called Tizen-based Smart Hub on newer sets).

To verify your TV’s year, go to Settings > Support > About This TV. The model number contains a letter code for the year. For example, “UN55TU7000” has “TU” which indicates a 2020 model.

If your Samsung TV was made before 2016, Sling TV won’t appear in the app store. Your best option is connecting an external streaming device like a Roku or Fire TV Stick to an available HDMI port. Both devices support Sling TV and cost under $50.

#What Does Sling TV Cost on Samsung TV?

Sling TV pricing is the same regardless of which device you use. As of early 2026, here are the plan options (check sling.com for current pricing):

Sling Orange ($40/month): 32+ channels focused on sports and family content. Includes ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, Disney Channel, CNN, AMC, TBS, TNT, and Food Network. One stream at a time.

Sling Blue ($40/month): 42+ channels leaning toward news and entertainment. You get Fox, NBC (in select markets), Bravo, FX, Syfy, NFL Network, and Discovery. Blue allows up to three simultaneous streams, making it a better fit for households with multiple viewers who want to watch different channels at the same time without interrupting each other.

Sling Orange + Blue ($55/month): Combines both into 50+ unique channels with four simultaneous streams.

All plans include 50 hours of Cloud DVR. Cloud DVR Plus adds 200 hours and ad-skipping for $5/month.

Optional add-on packages are available if you want more specialized content. Sports Extra runs $11/month and adds NFL RedZone, NBA TV, and NHL Network. Comedy Extra costs $6/month, and Kids Extra costs $6/month with channels like Nicktoons and TeenNick. There’s no annual contract, so you can cancel or switch plans whenever you want.

#Tips for Getting the Most Out of Sling on Samsung TV

After streaming with Sling on my Samsung TV daily for over a year, I picked up a few tricks that improved the experience.

Use the channel guide efficiently. Press the Guide button to see what’s airing now and upcoming. You can set reminders and filter by category.

Set up profiles for each viewer. Sling supports multiple user profiles, each tracking its own favorites, watch history, and DVR recordings separately. This keeps recommendations relevant when different household members have different taste in programming. On my Samsung QN85B, switching between profiles takes about two seconds.

Record shows you’ll miss. The 50-hour Cloud DVR records any program from your lineup. I record most NBA games and watch them later on my phone.

Enable closed captions from Sling’s settings. Samsung TVs have their own caption settings, but I found that enabling captions within the Sling app itself at Sling Settings > Accessibility produces more reliable results. The app-level captions sync correctly with live streams, while the TV-level captions sometimes lag by a second or two.

Check your internet speed. Aim for 10 Mbps minimum per stream. A wired Ethernet connection reduces buffering compared to Wi-Fi.

#Sling TV vs Other Live TV Services

Sling is the cheapest major live TV service. At $40/month, it undercuts YouTube TV ($72.99/month), fuboTV ($79.99/month), and Hulu + Live TV ($76.99/month) by a wide margin. The tradeoff is fewer total channels and no local broadcast networks in most markets.

For Samsung TV owners who mainly want ESPN and basic cable entertainment, Sling Orange delivers those channels at half the cost of YouTube TV. If you also need local channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox), a $20 indoor antenna paired with Sling gives you both live locals and cable channels for under $60/month. That combination replaces a $100+ cable bill while keeping all the channels most households actually watch on a regular basis.

Free services like Pluto TV lack major cable networks and DVR. Philo ($28/month) has no sports. Pick Sling if ESPN and news matter to you.

#Troubleshooting Sling TV on Samsung Smart TV

Most Sling TV issues on Samsung TVs come down to three things: app glitches, network problems, or outdated software.

App freezes or crashes. Close Sling completely by holding the Back button, then reopen it. If that fails, uninstall and reinstall from the Apps section to clear cached data. Reinstalling fixed a persistent buffering issue on my TU7000.

Buffering during live streams. Run a speed test on your TV at Settings > General > Network > Network Status > IP Settings. If speeds fall below 10 Mbps, switch to a wired Ethernet connection or move your router closer. Live TV can’t buffer ahead the way on-demand shows do, so Wi-Fi dropouts cause instant freezing.

“App not available” error. Your TV is likely from before 2016. Plug a Fire TV Stick 4K into an HDMI port to get Sling.

Outdated firmware. Go to Settings > Support > Software Update > Update Now. Samsung releases firmware updates that fix app compatibility issues, and after updating you should restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds to make sure the new firmware loads properly.

#Bottom Line

Sling TV on Samsung Smart TV is one of the cheapest ways to keep live cable channels without a cable subscription. Download the app from Samsung’s Apps section, pick Sling Orange ($40/month) for ESPN and family channels or Sling Blue ($40/month) for Fox and news, and streaming starts within minutes.

The combined Orange + Blue package at $55/month covers 50+ channels for the whole household. Pair it with a $20 antenna for local broadcasts, and you’ll have full TV coverage for under $60/month, replacing a cable bill that typically runs $100 or more. If Sling doesn’t carry a channel you need, check how it stacks up against YouTube TV or fuboTV in my comparison guides.

#Frequently Asked Questions

#Can you get Sling TV on older Samsung TVs made before 2016?

No. Sling TV requires Samsung’s Tizen OS from 2016 or later. Connect a Roku Express 4K+, Fire TV Stick 4K, or Apple TV 4K to an HDMI port on older models.

#Does Sling TV include local channels on Samsung TV?

Sling TV does not include ABC, CBS, or NBC in most markets, though Sling Blue carries Fox and NBC in select cities. For full local access, connect a digital antenna ($15-$25) to your Samsung TV’s coax input. The TV’s built-in tuner picks up free over-the-air broadcasts. I use a flat indoor antenna behind my TV and it pulls in 40+ local channels at zero cost.

#How many devices can stream Sling TV at the same time?

Sling Orange allows one stream. Sling Blue allows three. The combined plan supports four simultaneous streams across Samsung TVs, phones, tablets, and computers.

#Is Sling TV worth it compared to cable on a Samsung TV?

The average U.S. cable bill exceeds $100/month according to Sling’s own comparison data. Sling Orange at $40/month covers most popular cable channels minus locals, saving you $60+ per month with no contract. You lose some niche channels and regional sports networks, but for viewers who watch mainly ESPN, CNN, HGTV, and AMC, the savings add up fast.

#What internet speed do you need for Sling TV on Samsung TV?

Sling recommends 5 Mbps per stream at standard definition. For reliable 1080p on a Samsung TV, aim for 10 Mbps minimum. Wired Ethernet gives more consistent results than Wi-Fi for live TV, where any speed dip causes visible buffering mid-program. If multiple household members stream at once, target 25 Mbps or higher on your plan.

#Can you record shows with Sling TV on a Samsung TV?

Every Sling plan includes 50 hours of free Cloud DVR. Hit the record button on any program in the guide, and it saves to your cloud storage. Cloud DVR Plus ($5/month) bumps storage to 200 hours and adds commercial skipping.

#Does Sling TV work with Samsung’s voice assistant Bixby?

Yes. Press and hold the microphone button on your Samsung remote and say “Open Sling TV” to launch the app. You can also say “Search for ESPN on Sling” to jump directly to a channel. Voice commands work on 2020 and newer Samsung models with the Samsung Smart Remote that has a built-in microphone.

#What channels come with Sling TV on Samsung Smart TV?

Sling Orange includes ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, Disney Channel, CNN, AMC, TBS, TNT, A&E, History, and Food Network among 32+ channels. Sling Blue adds Fox, NBC (select markets), Bravo, FX, USA, Syfy, NFL Network, Discovery, and MSNBC among 42+ channels. The combined package merges both into 50+ unique channels. Sports fans can add ESPN channels, MLB Network, and Starz through extras.