Does Sling TV Have Commercials? How Ads Work on Sling and How DIRECTV Compares
Yes. Every Sling TV plan includes commercials, and Sling does not list an ad-free live-TV plan. Live channels carry the same ad breaks you'd see on cable, and on-demand episodes from those channels have ads you can't fast-forward through. Recording with Sling's cloud DVR is the main way to skip them.
Here's how ads work on Sling as of October 21, 2026, and how DIRECTV handles the same thing.
Ads on live Sling TV channels
Live channels on Sling, such as ESPN, CNN or FOX News, show their normal commercial breaks. The networks insert those ads, so Sling can't remove them, and no Sling plan or add-on takes them out.
Ads in Sling on-demand shows
On-demand episodes and movies from the channels in your package also have ads, and you generally can't skip them. The Streamable confirmed this in its October 21, 2026 guide to Sling ads.
How Sling pause ads work
Sling says a pause ad can appear 10 seconds after you pause live or on-demand content. It may be a still image or short video, and it disappears when you resume playback. This is separate from the regular commercial breaks carried by live channels and on-demand programs.
How to skip commercials on Sling
- Record it. Sling plans include 50 hours of cloud DVR, and you can fast-forward through ads in recordings.
- Get more storage. Unlimited DVR is $5 a month extra, per Sling, as of October 2026.
- Watch Sling Freestream. The free channels are ad-supported too, so they won't help.
Sling TV prices (as of October 21, 2026)
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Sling Essentials or Sling Select | $19.99/mo |
| Essentials & Select | $34.99/mo |
| Sling Orange or Sling Blue | $45.99/mo |
| Orange & Blue | $60.99/mo |
From sling.com via our Sling TV price guide. Blue and Select cost more in markets with local channels.
DIRECTV as the alternative
No live TV service removes network commercials, DIRECTV included. The difference is the DVR. DIRECTV satellite and streaming plans include a DVR you can use to record shows and fast-forward through ads, and DIRECTV also carries local channels in more markets than Sling does. If you're tired of ads, premium channels such as HBO, STARZ and Cinemax show movies without commercials and can be added to DIRECTV packages.
For more, see DIRECTV vs. Sling TV or switching from Sling to DIRECTV. To compare at your address, call 1-855-690-9884.
FAQ
Does Sling TV have commercials?
Yes. Live channels and on-demand shows on Sling include ads, and Sling does not list an ad-free live-TV plan as of October 21, 2026.
Can you skip ads on Sling TV?
Only in recordings. Sling includes 50 hours of cloud DVR, and you can fast-forward through ads in recorded shows.
What are Sling pause ads?
Sling says pause ads can appear after live or on-demand content has been paused for 10 seconds and disappear when playback resumes.
Does DIRECTV have commercials?
Live channels on DIRECTV show their normal commercials, but the DVR lets you fast-forward through ads in recordings, and premium movie channels are commercial-free.
How much is Sling TV?
As of October 21, 2026, Sling Essentials and Sling Select start at $19.99 a month, Orange or Blue is $45.99, and Orange & Blue is $60.99.
Questions? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 21, 2026. Prices, channel numbers, offers and streaming availability are set by each provider, vary by location and may change. All trademarks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.