Times are tight. The inflation rate is the highest it’s been in more than 40 years. And economists say a recession is lurking around the corner.

And Dish today reported that its live streaming service, Sling TV, added 214,000 net new subscribers in the third quarter, a time when most other pay TV services lost customers. Lost lots of customers.

There’s no doubt in my mind that the two events are linked because Sling TV arguably offers the best value in the pay TV industry at a time when consumers are desperate for value. You need to be creative with your finances these days with the mortgage rate over 7 percent and gas prices still causing pain at the pump. And Sling TV’s base rate of $35 a month helps you do that. (And the first month is now half off.)

Update: One day after this article was published, Sling TV raised its monthly base price from $35 to $40 a month. The monthly rate is still significantly lower than its rivals, but it remains to be seen if consumers will still see it as the same value. 

By comparison, Sling’s top rivals, YouTube TV, Hulu Live, FuboTV and DIRECTV Stream, are charging roughly twice as much for their base packages.

Sling TV doesn’t have every channel you might want, particularly if you’re a sports fan. (Like its parent Dish, Sling TV does not carry regional sports networks.) But where else are you going to get a package that includes ESPN, A&E, AMC, CNN, Cartoon Network, Comedy Central, the Disney Channel and about 25 other channels for $35 a month? That’s Sling’s Orange package. The streamer’s Blue plan, also $35 a month, includes Fox, FS1, Fox, FX, the Discovery Channel, the NFL Network and about 35 more channels. (The monthly price for Blue and Orange each now is $40 a month; combined, the price is $55 a month, up from $50.)

For many viewers, particularly those trying to make ends meet while juggling jobs and responsibilities, Sling TV provides all the television you need while not stretching your budget. Throw up an antenna and you’re set. (Sling TV has Fox and NBC in select markets, but not ABC or CBS.)

If the economy continues to falter, as most predict it will, Sling TV could be the choice of many more inflation-weary viewers in the coming months.

Need to buy something today? Please buy it using this Amazon.com link. This site receives a small portion of each purchase, which helps us continue to provide these articles.

Have a question about saving money on TV?? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvanswerman.com Please include your first name and hometown in your message.

— Phillip Swann
@tvanswerman