Sling TV rolls out day-, weekend-, and week-long passes to give fans flexible access to sports and other programming
Sling TV is introducing mini-subscriptions that let viewers buy access for a single day, a weekend, or a full seven days, starting at 4.99. The move comes as the industry braces for the NFL season and ongoing cord-cutting, offering a way to watch big games, tournaments, or series without committing to a traditional Sling plan that starts at 45.99 a month with half off upon sign-up. Beyond sports, the option could also apply to events like the Oscars or other entertainment or news programming.
Under the new structure, a 24-hour Day Pass costs 4.99, a Weekend Pass is 9.99, and a 7-day pass is 14.99. The company emphasizes that these passes can be used for a range of content, not just sports, making it easier for fans to tune in for peak moments without a long-term contract.
One notable caveat is that Sling does not currently offer CBS stations. Viewers hoping to watch CBS sports or events would need to access them via Paramount+, which serves as the premium add-on for those programs.
Sling TV’s parent, EchoStar, noted that programming partners were briefed about the new short-term subs. When pressed on subscriber data, a Sling executive said the company would “report accordingly” in the financials, but did not address whether 1-day subscriptions would be counted in the overall tallies. As of the end of the quarter on June 30, Dish and Sling together totaled 7.1 million subscribers.
The launch fits into a broader industry trend as pay-TV penetration has continued to shrink while sports rights increasingly wind up on multiple platforms. YouTube, Netflix, Amazon, Apple, and Roku have secured major rights in recent years, even as some traditional bundles try to adapt with more targeted offerings. DirecTV has already rolled out genre-specific packages, including sports-focused tiers around 70 a month.
“This launch is about putting control back in the hands of the fans,” a Sling executive said, highlighting that the new passes come without long-term contracts and offer flexible viewing options.
In addition to the new passes, Sling is expanding its customization through Sling Extras, add-on channel packages that can be bundled with the passes. Current extras include Sports Extra, News Extra, Entertainment Extra, Hollywood Extra, Lifestyle Extra, Heartland Extra, and Kids Extra. These can be added to a Day Pass for 1, Weekend Pass for 2, or Week Pass for 3, depending on the duration.
Overall, the new mini-subscriptions give price-conscious viewers a straightforward way to catch key moments and events without a full subscription, while reinforcing Sling’s ongoing strategy to balance flexibility with a curated mix of content amid a rapidly changing rights landscape. Expect further experimentation as Sling seeks to attract new, bill-friendly customers while competing with other streaming and live-TV options.