Brandwave

Apple TV vs Sling TV:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Apple TV had more branded searches than Sling TV among streaming services worldwide. Apple TV had about 6.1 million branded searches, while Sling TV had 673,000. Apple TV made up 4.6% of all streaming service searches we track, and Sling TV accounted for 0.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about streaming services, Apple TV appeared in three of the five answers and Sling TV in two. Apple TV was mentioned before Sling TV in three out of four answers that named either.

Among streaming services worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Apple TV, about 9 searches for every 1 for Sling TV

Apple TV 6.1M searchesSling TV 673K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Apple TV, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Sling TV in 2

Apple TV in 3 of 5Sling TV in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Apple TV, named ahead of Sling TV in 3 of 4 answers

Apple TV first in 3Sling TV first in 1

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Top streaming services in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Apple TV was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Sling TV was mentioned in two out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in both Google AI Overviews. Apple TV was listed before Sling TV in three out of four answers that named either.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Netflix1st
  2. HBO Max2nd
  3. Disney+3rd
  4. Hulu4th
  5. Prime Video5th
  6. YouTube TV6th
  7. Apple TV7th
  8. Sling TV8th
  9. Philo9th
  10. Fubo10th

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Disney+5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Hulu5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Netflix4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • HBO Max4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Prime Video4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • YouTube TV4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Apple TV3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Sling TV2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Philo2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Fubo1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about streaming services

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.

Is Apple TV or Sling TV more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Apple TV and Sling TV by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten streaming services we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Apple TV and Sling TV among streaming services worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Apple TV, Sling TV. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthNetflixDisney+HBO MaxPrime VideoYouTube TVApple TVHuluFuboSling TVPhilo
Oct 202559.3%11.8%6.5%6.5%5.3%3.6%4.4%1.6%0.87%0.04%
Nov 202557.7%11.5%7.7%6.3%5.2%4.3%4.3%1.9%1%0.04%
Dec 202564.6%10.6%7.1%5.8%3.2%3.9%3.2%0.96%0.53%0.03%
Jan 202662.9%10.3%8.5%5.7%3.8%3.1%3.8%1.1%0.62%0.04%
Feb 202662.9%10.3%8.4%5.7%4.6%3.1%3.8%0.76%0.51%0.04%
Mar 202660.3%12.1%8.1%5.4%4.4%3.6%4.4%1.1%0.49%0.04%
Apr 202661.5%10.1%10.1%6.8%3%3.7%3.7%0.74%0.41%0.04%
May 202663.1%10.3%8.4%6.9%3.1%3.8%3.1%0.76%0.42%0.04%
Jun 202662.3%10.2%8.3%5.6%4.6%3.8%3.1%1.7%0.41%0.04%
Jul 202664.2%10.5%7.1%5.8%3.9%3.9%3.2%1.2%0.35%0.04%
Aug 202662.9%12.6%6.9%5.7%3.1%4.6%3.1%0.76%0.34%0.04%
Sep 202661.8%10.1%6.8%5.6%5.6%4.6%3.7%1.4%0.5%0.03%

How has the Apple TV and Sling TV comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Apple TV was ahead of Sling TV in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Apple TV’s share of searches among streaming services worldwide moved from 3.6% to 4.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 5M to 6.1M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sling TV’s share of searches among streaming services worldwide moved from 0.87% to 0.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.2M to 673K.

How did search popularity change for streaming services worldwide in September 2026?

3 changes

  1. In September 2026, YouTube TV overtook Apple TV and Hulu to rank 5th among streaming services worldwide, with 5.6% of the searches.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Apple TV worldwide rose 22.4% over 12 measured months, from 5M to 6.1M in September 2026.

  3. Estimated monthly branded searches for Sling TV worldwide fell 44.8% over 12 measured months, from 1.2M to 673K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Apple TV’s and Sling TV’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Apple TV

1 branded search term

  • apple tv

Sling TV

1 branded search term

  • sling tv

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among streaming services

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