Sling TV Ends Day Passes: What Changed and How DIRECTV Compares
Sling TV has discontinued its 1-, 3- and 7-day Passes. The short-term subscriptions that let people unlock Sling Orange channels for as little as about $5 a day are gone, and Sling is steering everyone back to monthly plans. If you used Passes for a weekend of ESPN or a week of live TV, here is what changed—and how DIRECTV stacks up as a steadier alternative.
Quick answer
- What ended: Sling Passes (1-day, 3-day and 7-day access to Sling Orange channels) are no longer for sale.
- What remains: Monthly Sling Orange, Blue, Orange + Blue, plus lower-cost Sling Essential and Sling Select plans.
- DIRECTV angle: full live TV packages and sports-focused Genre Packs with a multi-day free trial for qualifying new customers—call 1-855-690-9884 to compare.
What were Sling Passes?
In August 2025, Sling became the first major live TV streamer to sell ultra-short subscriptions. Passes unlocked the Sling Orange channel set—including sports staples such as ESPN—for one day, three days or seven days instead of a full month. Pricing commonly landed around $4.99 / $9.99 / $14.99 for those three lengths (Sling later adjusted the three-day option so it could cover any consecutive three days, not only a weekend).
The product was popular with fans who only wanted live sports for a big weekend. Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery both sued Sling over Passes; a federal judge denied Disney’s bid for a preliminary injunction, but the legal fight continued in the background.
What Sling said when Passes disappeared
In early October 2026, Sling removed Passes from its signup flow with little fanfare. The company’s site now states that Passes are no longer available and that Sling will keep looking for other ways to offer competitively priced options. Customer notes reviewed by The Desk used similar language. Sling has not publicly blamed the Disney or WBD lawsuits for the decision.
Monthly Orange and Blue plans continue, and Sling still sells its slimmer Essential and Select packages (reported starting around $20 a month). Existing Pass purchasers kept access through the end of their paid window; new Passes cannot be bought.
Why it matters for sports and news fans
Passes were one of the few ways to get ESPN, CNN and other Orange channels without paying for a full month. Without them, weekend-only viewers face a monthly subscription (or another provider). That is the gap many cord-cutters are shopping right now.
How DIRECTV compares as an alternative
American TV is an independent DIRECTV dealer. We are not saying Sling is shutting down—only that the flexible day-pass product is gone. If you want live TV without juggling short-term streamer experiments, DIRECTV is worth a look:
- Full channel lineups: ENTERTAINMENT through PREMIER packages with locals where available.
- Sports-focused streaming: Genre Packs such as MySports for fans who mainly want games.
- Trial: qualifying new customers often get a multi-day free trial before billing starts (confirm current offer when you order).
- No day-pass roulette: you pick a plan and know what is on it month to month.
Sling is part of the same EchoStar/DISH TV family that just moved through a Chapter 11 plan for DISH DBS. Service for Sling customers has continued through that process; see our separate note on the DISH bankruptcy plan approval. Ending Passes is a product decision, not a shutdown notice.
Comparing Sling Orange vs. Blue before you leave? Read our Sling Orange vs. Sling Blue guide. Ready to price DIRECTV for your ZIP? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Frequently asked questions
Did Sling TV cancel Passes?
Yes. As of early October 2026, Sling no longer sells 1-, 3- or 7-day Passes.
Can I still get Sling monthly?
Yes. Orange, Blue, combo plans and the Essential/Select tiers remain on sale.
Is this related to DISH’s bankruptcy?
Sling has not linked the Passes decision to the DISH DBS Chapter 11 case. EchoStar has said DISH TV and Sling keep operating through that restructuring.
What should I try instead of a day pass?
A monthly live TV plan you will actually use, or a sports-focused pack. Call 1-855-690-9884 to compare DIRECTV options for your address.
Details reviewed October 5, 2026, based on The Streamable, The Desk, The Verge and Sling’s own Passes update page. Prices and plan names change; confirm on Sling or DIRECTV before you buy. Sling, DISH, EchoStar, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent DIRECTV dealer and resource site.