As a leading player in the OTT television space, Sling TV has carved out a firm position in the industry by offering flexible, subscription-based access to live TV and on-demand content. Designed for cord-cutters and digital-first audiences, the platform has continuously evolved to meet the shifting demands of modern media consumers.
In early 2023, Sling TV unveiled Freestream—its Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) initiative—bringing a roster of live and on-demand channels to users at no cost. Built directly into the Sling TV app, Freestream combines the convenience of streaming with an expanding catalog of entertainment, news, lifestyle, and family-friendly programming.
Now, Freestream is taking another leap forward. Sling TV has announced the addition of seven new free channels, broadening its content offering and reinforcing its commitment to accessible, ad-supported content. Among these latest additions is a dedicated 24/7 Barney Channel, reviving the beloved purple dinosaur for a new generation of viewers.
Freestream represents a key pillar in Sling TV’s broader effort to position itself at the forefront of the free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) landscape. Introduced to meet the growing demand for accessible, no-cost content, Freestream operates independently of Sling’s traditional paid TV packages. This platform taps into evolving viewer habits, catering to households prioritizing value, convenience, and variety — without adding another subscription to their budget.
By investing in Freestream, Sling TV aligns itself with shifting market dynamics, where digital-first viewers expect seamless access to live and on-demand content without financial commitment. This strategy extends Sling’s footprint beyond cord-cutters looking for cheaper alternatives; it reaches viewers who may have never subscribed to linear or cable-based services in the first place.
The most compelling hook of Freestream lies in its open-access structure. Viewers stream content instantly — no credit card, no account registration, no app fee. That simple.
This combination of quantity, accessibility, and variety enables Freestream to compete on value against paid streaming bundles, while also matching other FAST offerings in scale and scope.
Sling TV's Freestream platform has widened its free streaming catalog with seven new additions, each curated to serve a different viewer need. From round-the-clock kids' content to bite-sized sports and immersive nostalgia, the new channels bring both variety and purpose. Here's how each one adds value.
Barney returns in full form. Viewers now have uninterrupted access to this childhood classic through a dedicated 24/7 Barney Channel. First airing in 1992 with "Barney & Friends," the purple dinosaur rose to cultural prominence with his message of love, learning, and music. Freestream’s new channel delivers this legacy continuously, making it an always-on option for preschool audiences and nostalgic parents alike. Episodes cycle through seasons, songs, and interactive storytelling segments designed for early childhood development.
This new channel focuses on all-ages storytelling featuring animated adventures, holiday specials, and light-hearted comedies. Curated titles include both studio hits and independent gems, covering everything from fairy tales to fun-packed road movies. The schedule rotates daily, encouraging repeat visits and family viewing sessions.
Sports fans looking for faster access to highlights and analysis now have a destination. This addition delivers game recaps, top plays, player spotlight reels, and digestible commentary blocks. With a focus on NBA, NFL, UFC, and international soccer, the channel compresses essential moments into short-form viewing, ideal for mobile consumption and lunch-hour breaks.
Television classics from the '60s through the '90s find a home here. Situational comedies, vintage dramas, and cult-favorite series play on rotation. Think "Gilligan's Island," "Unsolved Mysteries," and early sci-fi hits. The channel targets viewers who crave timeless storytelling and character-driven plots, unburdened by algorithms or binge formats.
For audiences engaged in self-improvement and educational curiosity, the Learn 365 channel offers instructional programming across disciplines. Segments include science explainers, historical documentaries, language development, and DIY guides. Whether examining the physics behind rollercoasters or unlocking ancient civilizations’ secrets, the content combines visual clarity with factual precision.
Real-time coverage and live updates come through LiveNow News, a rolling-feed channel focused on major headlines, breaking stories, and global developments. Featuring both U.S. and international sources, the broadcasts maintain a steady flow of verified reports, field analysis, and live press events. Without requiring a subscription or login, the channel keeps viewers instantly connected to the world's pulse.
This final addition caters to esports enthusiasts and tabletop fans alike. Live tournaments, strategy breakdowns, influencer streams, and commentary segments air throughout the day. Expect coverage across titles such as "League of Legends," "Valorant," "Fortnite," and "Dota 2." The channel also showcases classic arcade retrospectives and community spotlights, bridging competitive gaming and nerdcore nostalgia.
Barney the Dinosaur first appeared on public television screens in 1992 and rapidly became a recognizable figure in children’s entertainment. Created by Sheryl Leach, the franchise launched with “Barney & Friends”, a show designed to teach preschoolers about kindness, cooperation, and problem-solving through music, storytelling, and direct audience engagement. Over the decades, its signature blend of educational content and gentle guidance built multigenerational trust among parents and caregivers.
The 24/7 Barney Channel on Sling TV’s Freestream aligns directly with the platform’s emphasis on broad, family-friendly content. Slotting into a curated lineup of safe, appealing programming for younger viewers, this dedicated channel amplifies viewer value without adding subscription costs. It supports Freestream’s strategy of providing trusted, legacy properties to audiences who increasingly choose digital formats over legacy cable packages.
The programming slate includes:
This channel delivers what parents consistently look for in children’s media: reliability, consistency, and age-appropriate boundaries. By operating within Freestream’s ad-supported framework, the 24/7 Barney Channel avoids the content uncertainty that often accompanies algorithm-based video platforms. Ads remain targeted and vetted, with the platform controlling ad frequency to maintain viewer comfort. Unlike YouTube Kids or open streaming environments, Freestream offers a contained space, intentionally structured for passive co-viewing or independent screen time.
For households navigating the balance between education, screen time, and affordability, this programming block provides a straightforward solution—recognized characters in a predictably positive format, streamed without barriers or subscriptions.
The surge of Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV (FAST) platforms like Sling TV’s Freestream marks a pivotal shift in how audiences consume digital entertainment. At the heart of this trend lies a calculated response to the exhaustion many viewers feel toward traditional subscription-based services. With inflated costs stacking across multiple platforms, a growing segment of the audience is walking away from monthly fees altogether.
By mid-2023, U.S. households subscribed to an average of 4.1 streaming services, according to research by Kantar. That’s down from the 4.7 reported in 2021, a clear signal of consumer churn triggered by mounting subscription fatigue. FAST services offer a viable alternative—access to live channels and expansive on-demand libraries without adding another bill to the ledger.
This pivot toward ad-supported programming reflects a broader industry recalibration. Instead of relying solely on subscriber revenue, platforms now deliver content financed by advertising. According to Insider Intelligence, U.S. ad revenue from FAST platforms is set to hit $6.1 billion by 2025, almost double its 2023 figure. Viewers aren't just tolerating commercials; they're re-accepting them as part of the package.
FAST providers don’t just mirror traditional cable lineups—they reimagine them. Audiences can flip between live TV, curated film collections, classic series, game shows, niche sports, and 24/7 single-title channels like the new Barney stream. Everything is click-and-watch, no account required.
Sling TV’s Freestream now enters this competitive—and growing—arena. By expanding its catalog with both nostalgic and contemporary options, including child-friendly brands like Barney, it taps into a market moving decisively toward ad-supported freedom. The FAST space no longer sits at the margins of streaming—it drives the center of the new viewing economy.
Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ operate behind paywalls. Users must subscribe—monthly fees range from $7.99 to $22.99 depending on features and ad presence. These platforms emphasize curated libraries with licensed and original content, but none offer free access beyond limited trials.
By contrast, Freestream from Sling TV bypasses subscription requirements entirely. Every channel and on-demand title is available without logging in or entering payment information. This frictionless model opens broad access to movies, series, news, and live broadcasts, all supported through ads.
Hulu and Netflix present content libraries designed for individual title selection. Navigation centers on search and recommendation algorithms. Freestream takes a different route. Its channel-based interface mirrors traditional TV guidance systems, encouraging discovery through browsing—channel up, channel down, what's-on-now familiarity.
Instead of scrolling through thumbnails, users flip through programmed live-streams. For viewers who crave passive viewing over decision fatigue, this aligned structure makes Freestream feel like a modern cable alternative.
Freestream doesn’t force a choice between real-time and anytime entertainment. It houses both livestreaming and video on demand within the same platform. Compare this to Netflix, which has no live TV functionality, or Disney+, which introduces select livestreams on major event days only.
Freestream users pivot easily—from watching a live morning news channel to queuing up an on-demand TV show episode. For viewers wanting both spontaneity and control, this hybrid model offers scheduling flexibility without feature paywalls.
None of these genre-specific branches require micro-subscriptions. Unlike Disney+, which segments content by brand (Marvel, Star Wars, etc.) or Netflix, which excludes sports entirely, Freestream offers categorical breadth with no premium tier lockouts.
With its latest rollout—seven new channels including a 24/7 Barney Channel—Freestream reinforces its advantage in the FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) space. The no-cost, channel-style model appeals to households seeking structured, reliable TV without budgeting for multiple subscriptions.
In combining traditional television pacing with modern delivery infrastructure, Freestream asserts itself not just as an alternative, but as a practical replacement for both cable plans and paid platforms that have grown increasingly segmented and costly.
Children's entertainment isn’t a side offering—it’s a core pillar driving viewership and user retention on ad-supported streaming platforms. With Freestream’s recent expansion, Sling TV has doubled down on family-safe programming, betting on demand that’s both evergreen and growing.
Parents searching for trustworthy digital content now have access to a tightly curated lineup where ratings, age-appropriateness, and educational value matter. The inclusion of classics like the 24/7 Barney channel speaks to more than nostalgia; it reflects a precise content strategy. Programming that fosters learning, empathy, and imagination creates a dependable environment for unsupervised or co-viewed sessions.
And it’s not just about avoiding what’s harmful—it’s about showing what’s helpful. Many of Freestream’s new additions focus on enrichment, combining entertainment with language acquisition, emotional development, and basic STEM literacy through characters children recognize and trust.
Freestream positions itself as a destination for shared family time. Instead of isolating viewers into individual screens and headphones, its lineup promotes co-viewing—a media consumption model where parents and children watch together. This isn't coincidence. Co-viewing strengthens family bonds and reinforces learning through conversation.
The choice to build out Freestream’s library of safe, multigenerational shows directly supports this model. Classics like Barney were built around songs and scripts that encourage adult participation—and through this, new generations form emotional connections with both characters and caregivers.
Distribution isn't an afterthought. Freestream’s availability across major platforms—Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung Smart TVs, and more—ensures seamless access whenever families are ready to tune in. No setup complexity. No costly subscriptions. Just a quick launch from the home screen and instant access to safe, engaging shows.
By making curated children’s programming accessible, intuitive, and always on, Sling TV solidifies Freestream as more than just a streaming service—it becomes a digital living room for families across the country.
Freestream’s latest channel rollout ties into a broader effort by Sling TV to reshape its role in the digital entertainment ecosystem. It’s no longer just a budget-friendly alternative to cable. Sling TV is evolving into a dynamic over-the-top (OTT) platform that integrates live, on-demand, and ad-supported content under one streamlined interface.
This strategy has clear direction: attract and retain users by offering value without forcing a subscription. While traditional cable providers grapple with declining viewership, Sling TV continues to iterate on a platform that combines flexibility with high-quality programming—from blockbuster films and classic sitcoms to headline news and live sports.
Live sports coverage, once the stronghold of premium cable, now fits within Sling’s hybrid model. The platform’s portfolio includes key partnerships for professional and collegiate broadcasts, available through both subscription plans and selected Freestream access—connecting passionate sports fans without gatekeeping.
News is another dimension of the expansion. Users can watch around-the-clock coverage from networks like ABC News Live, NBC News NOW, and Reuters, integrated seamlessly with entertainment content. This blend allows Sling TV to function not only as a digital cable replacement but also as a customizable live media hub.
OTT platforms like Sling TV are dismantling the linear programming model. Viewers no longer wait for scheduled broadcasts or rely on DVRs. With Freestream, they engage on demand with curated channels that stream continuously, powered by ads instead of fees.
User behavior data backs this shift. According to Kantar’s Entertainment on Demand study (Q4 2023), 58% of U.S. households now access at least one free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) service. These platforms aren’t just alternatives—they’re becoming primary viewing sources.
By merging the on-demand flexibility of streaming with the consistency of linear programming, Sling TV builds a media environment that aligns with current consumption habits. Households want choice, minimal cost, and personalized experiences—and the expansion of Freestream speaks directly to these demands.
The latest channel additions are a component of a larger framework aimed at ensuring that Sling TV not only remains competitive but sets the benchmark for a FAST-forward media future.
Sling TV’s Freestream continues to redefine what viewers can expect from ad-supported streaming. With the addition of seven new channels—including a 24/7 Barney channel—it now delivers a broader, smarter blend of content that caters to families, genre enthusiasts, and anyone seeking high-quality programming without the subscription tag.
Freestream’s value lies in its hybrid model. By combining recognizable IPs, a user-friendly interface, and seamless accessibility across devices, it meets a rising demand for affordable, fuss-free streaming options. Viewers don’t need credit cards, long-term commitments, or hidden fees. They simply connect and start watching.
Bringing evergreen content like Barney the Dinosaur into this landscape isn’t a nostalgia move alone—it offers strategic pull. Franchise-based programming retains attention, fosters loyalty, and opens the door for co-viewing between generations. It’s an onramp for new users, especially households seeking safe, enriching content for younger audiences.
The current Sling TV experience invites casual browsers to stay longer, surf broader, and settle into routine viewing—all without making a financial leap. Curious? Dive in and discover what’s streaming now.
Freestream by Sling TV removes the friction between discovery and enjoyment. With just a few taps or clicks, your screen could be playing classic characters, real-time news, or international dramas—without ever asking for a dollar.
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