Streaming services are a solid option for people looking to watch movies and shows online without a cable service. Apart from not having to use a cable, you have a vast range of channels, device support, and other tempting features available. This guide focuses on comparing two streaming platforms – Sling TV and Peacock.
It's not easy to pick a favorite, which is why we designed a detailed guide. We'll focus on everything from the pricing plans to the channel lineup to ensure you have all information. Once you read the article, you will know if any of these streaming platforms meet your expectations!
A quick overview of Sling TV vs Peacock
Sling TV was launched in 2015, and its main office is in Colorado. The estimation is that it has over 2.5 million users across the US. The platform offers a selection of premium channels and a generous range of extra features.
Peacock is a relatively new streaming service since it launched in 2020. It's the latest attempt of NBCUniversal to establish a streaming platform after SeeSo had failed. Peacock focuses on content produced by NBC.
| Sling TV | Peacock | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Orange: $40/month | |
| Blue: $40/month | ||
| Orange & Blue: $55/month | Premium: $5.99/month | |
| Plus: $11.99/month | ||
| Free Trial Length | None | 7 days |
| Number of Channels | 100+ (with add-ons) | 50+ |
| DVR Capacity | 50 hours | Only select titles |
| Device Support | Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast, Air TV, Smart TVs, Android, iOS, Xbox One | Android, Apple TV, Chromecast, iOS, Fire TV, Smart TVs, Roku, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 |
| Simultaneous Streams | 1-3 | 3 |
Peacock wins with very low prices
Sling TV and Peacock are different types of streaming services. Peacock’s most expensive package is fairly cheap, but that’s because it focuses on NBC content, which many users find restricting.
On the other hand, Sling TV offers a different recipe. It offers a curated selection of premium channels, which covers NBC, FOX, and other content sources. Combined with additional features, it offers more options for a streaming service. Its price might be higher, but that's because it comes with a richer offer.
Sling TV pricing
Sling TV offers multiple packages. You can pick between Orange and Blue, depending on your channel preferences. The add-ons spice up the deals, and are available for a few extra bucks monthly.
Sling Orange
$20 off your first month
- 30+ channels
- ESPN
- Stream on one device
$45.99/month
Sling Blue
$20 off your first month
- 40+ channels
- Local channels in select cities
- News and entertainment
- Stream on three screens
$45.99/month
Sling Orange & Blue
$20 off your first month
- General cable replacement
- 45+ channels
- Stream on three screens
$60.99/month
Check out this Sling TV pricing guide for more information.
Peacock pricing
Peacock no longer offers its free tier for new users, but the paid plans won’t break your bank by any means. They offer two plans, the Premium package comes with ads and the Premium Plus package has no ads and offers offline downloads on select titles.
Peacock’s free trial is longer
Peacock offers a 7-day free trial for both of its packages, making it the winner in this category. The service will require your banking info before activating the free trial. If you don't want the paid subscription, it's important to cancel before the testing period expires.
Sling TV, on the other hand, no longer offers a free trial.
Sling TV has a greater range of content
There's no doubt Sling TV offers a broader range of content. You can enjoy general news, entertainment, and other channels. The add-ons improve the selection and allow better customization. Peacock focuses on content produced by NBC. It keeps the overall price low, but its on-demand library is much better than its live channel selection.
What to watch on Sling TV
Orange and Blue are basic Sling TV packages. Regardless of your selection, you’ll have 30+ channels in each plan. They include TNT, AMC, CNN, etc. If you go with the Blue plan, you’ll get MSNBC, which is also available on the Peacock platform. The Orange package offers Disney and ESPN channels.
If you want more from Sling TV, you can use add-ons. They are tailored to specific viewers, so you can pick between world news, sports, and other packages. There are about 10,000 hours of content in the on-demand library, too. You can look at the Sling TV channel list for a detailed overview.
What to watch on Peacock
Peacock has more than 50 channels in its lineup. They are all from NBC's kitchen, so the list includes Fail Army, NBC News Now, TODAY All-Day, etc. It's necessary to unlock a paid subscription to get access to live sports and events. That list includes the Premier League, WWE, Super Bowl, etc.
If you check the on-demand library, you'll find over 60,000 hours of content. The list is impressive and includes hit TV shows and movies. Here is a detailed Peacock channel list for more information.
Sling TV offers more storage space
It’s a close call, but Sling TV takes the win in this area. You get 50 hours of DVR storage for free. If you pay an extra couple bucks per month, you can upgrade to the premium DVR cloud storage. It gives 200 hours of content, making it a good deal at that price. Check out our Sling TV DVR guide to learn more.
As for Peacock, you will need the Plus package to use the offline viewing feature. And even if you have it, you can only download and watch select titles offline.
Both services have great device support
There doesn’t seem to be a clear winner in this category. Both services offer generous support for different devices. We’ll go with Sling TV since the app has been around for longer, so it works a bit faster than the competitor. You can use any device from Roku and Chromecast to gaming consoles and smart TVs to enjoy this service. Here’s the Sling TV device support article for a detailed list.
Peacock also has a fine selection of supported devices. You can use Android and iOS apps for various devices and watch on PlayStation and Xbox. The administrators keep working on improving the app, and each next version is better than the previous.
Peacock allows for more simultaneous streams
Peacock takes the win here since you can watch it on three devices without any conditions. It should be enough for the entire family to enjoy the desired content at any moment. Managing the account is simple, which supports a pleasant simultaneous streaming experience.
As for Sling TV, you'll only be able to watch the Orange package channels on a single device. Only the Blue package allows simultaneous streaming on up to three gadgets. If you combine both packages, you increase the supported stream number to four. However, the trick is that you can still only use one stream to watch channels from the Orange plan.
Our takeaway: Sling TV wins the live TV comparison
The focus of this review is live TV, and that's why Sling TV comes out victorious in this duel. You can enjoy more than 100 premium channels with multiple add-on options and plan selections. The channel range is impressive and covers all ages and areas of interest.
If you are an NBC fan, you’ll enjoy the Peacock platform. More than 50 channels are available for free if you don’t mind the ads. You can remove the advertisements and unlock access to live sports and events with a premium plan. The paid packages are affordable and deliver decent value for money.
Ultimately, it all comes down to your personal requirements. One service has a better price, and the other offers higher channel selection and customization. Consider what your preferences are and pick accordingly!
Aneeca Younas • Author
Aneeca Younas is a graduated journalist with years of experience writing in different niches based in Oakland, CA. She is a huge movie fan that also enjoys watching sports. That's why she spends hours daily using various streaming services. Over the years, Aneeca profiled herself as an expert in cable-free and VOD platforms.
Kelsey Reynolds • Editor
Kelsey is a content strategist based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Minnesota. Kelsey was drawn to working at Flixed because the team was so open, motivated, and curious. She most enjoys thinking about how to blend programmatic and editorial content to answer readers’ questions as completely and efficiently as possible. When she’s not at her computer, Kelsey can usually be found working in her garden or walking her two dogs in the park.
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