Over the past few years, we’ve all witnessed the slow disappearance of cable TV. Live TV streaming services are rapidly becoming the go-to alternative because of their affordable prices, customizable channel packages, convenience, and flexibility. But with so many live TV streaming services available, how do you know which one to choose? Below, we’ll cover everything you need to know to help you make the best decision.
Top 10 live TV streaming services
Best live TV streaming services compared
| Live TV Streaming Service | Cost Per Month | Unique Features | Number of Channels | Ads? | Free Trial? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hulu + Live TV | $69.99 | Live channels, including Disney Plus, ESPN Plus, ABC, TNT, FOX, and CBS; Unlimited DVR cloud storage; Unlimited access to Hulu’s library of 75,000+ TV episodes and movies | 75+ | Yes | No |
| YouTube TV | $64.99 | Live and local TV channels, including NFL, NBA, MTV, and Nickelodeon; Unlimited DVR cloud storage; Three simultaneous streams and six accounts per household | 85+ | Yes | Yes |
| FuboTV | $69.99 | Live channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and local channels; Live sports coverage for NBA, NFL, NCAA, and more; 250 hours DVR cloud storage | 120+ | Yes | Yes |
| Sling Orange + Blue | $50 (Currently $25 with the 50% off your first month limited time offer) | Live channels, including A&E, BBC America, CNN, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, NFL, and local channels; 50 hours DVR cloud storage Three simultaneous device streams | 47 | Yes | No |
| Philo | $25 | Live channels, including A&E, Paramount, Hallmark, Nickelodeon, and MotorTrend; Unlimited DVR cloud storage; Three simultaneous device streams | 61 | Yes | Yes |
| DirecTV | $69.99 | Live channels, including ESPN, TNT, Nickelodeon, HGTV, and local channels; Unlimited device streams; Unlimited DVR cloud storage | 65+ | Yes | Yes |
| AppleTV Plus | $4.99 | Live channels, including A&E, ABC news, Disney, ESPN, NBA, and NFL; Includes all Apple Original titles | 40+ | No | Yes |
| Disney Plus | $8 | Over 500 films in Disney library, and 7,000 TV shows from Disney, Disney-owned Fox, and National Geographic; Four simultaneous device streams; Option to bundle with Hulu and ESPN Plus | 7,500 shows and movies available on-demand | No | No |
| Paramount Plus Premium | $9.99 | Live channels, including local CBS channels, Comedy Central, MTV, NFL, and Nickelodeon; 30,000+ movies and TV shows on-demand | 18 | No | Yes |
| ESPN Plus | $6 | Live sports streaming, including MLB, NHL, MLS, boxing, golf, and a wide variety of college sports; Daily sports talk shows; Access to ESPN Plus Originals | Thousands of live college games, boxing, MMA, golf, tennis, cricket, lacrosse, rugby, and more | Yes | No |
Hulu + Live TV
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Unlimited DVR storage | No free trial for Live TV plans |
| Ad-free options available | Limited to two simultaneous streams |
| Competitive pricing | |
| Large sports availability | |
| Local channel availability | |
| Seven-day free trial available with base plans | |
| Add-on packages to personalize your watch experience |
With more than 45 million subscribers and some of the most popular original content on any streaming platform, Hulu is one of the best TV streaming services out there. Among the 75+ channels available, you’ll find ESPN, ESPN Plus, Disney Plus, Big Ten Network, Fox Sports, Animal Planet, Disney Channel, ABC, and CNN, as well as a few local channels like ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC, depending on your area.
If you’re a sports fan, you’ll benefit greatly from Hulu + Live TV because you’ll be able to stream live baseball, football, and basketball on ESPN, as well as watch popular shows and movies like “Rick and Morty,” “Dancing with the Stars,” and “Boston Legal.” With the base Hulu plan, you’ll have access to a seven-day free trial, but unfortunately, Hulu + Live TV doesn’t have a trial available. Hulu’s most popular plans are:
- Hulu Basic: $6.99 per month with access to more than 80,000 on-demand shows and movies and two simultaneous device streams.
- Hulu (No Ads): $12.99 per month with all the same features as the basic plan, but completely ad-free.
- Hulu + Live TV with Disney Plus and ESPN Plus: $69.99 per month for the ad-supported plan with 75+ live channels, and access to the full Hulu library.
- Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV with Disney Plus and ESPN Plus: $75.99 per month for the ad-free plan with access to live channels and the Hulu streaming library.
You can also pay an additional fee per month to customize your watch experience with add-on packages like HBO Max ($14.99 per month), SHOWTIME ($10.99 per month), Cinemax ($9.99 per month), and STARZ ($8.99 per month). Hulu’s live TV plan also offers exclusive add-ons, such as Entertainment for $7.99 per month, Sports for $9.99 per month, Español for $4.99 per month, and Unlimited Screens for $9.99 per month.
YouTube TV
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Six user accounts per household | Only one plan available |
| Three simultaneous streams | Only basic parental control options |
| Excellent lineup of sports, news, and entertainment channels | Lacks most SportsNet and all Bally Sports RSNs |
| Seven-day free trial | |
| Unlimited DVR storage |
YouTube TV is a video streaming service that features over 90 live TV channels, and it has one of the most complete channel lineups available. With YouTube TV, you’ll get a wide variety of content from networks like AMC, Cartoon Network, National Geographic, and Paramount, as well as an attractive lineup of local options. The streaming service is a fantastic choice for sports lovers, as you’ll get access to channels like CBS Sports, ESPN, ESPN 2, the NFL Network, NBC Sports Network, MLB Network, and NBA TV to catch your favorite games live.
At $64.99 per month, YouTube TV is competitively priced with Hulu + Live TV. The perk over Hulu + Live TV, you may ask? YouTube TV offers a seven-day free trial if you’re still on the fence about signing up. In addition to YouTube TV’s base subscription, you’ll have several add-on options like Acorn TV ($6 per month), AMC Premiere ($5 per month), Entertainment Plus ($29.99 per month), and Sports Plus ($10.99 per month).
FuboTV
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Large selection of sports channels | Higher-end pricing |
| 1,000 hours of DVR storage | CNN, TBS, TNT, and other major networks not available |
| 10 simultaneous device streams | |
| Customizable subscription options | |
| Wide variety of sports, news, and entertainment |
Starting out as a live soccer streaming specialist, FuboTV has quickly become one of the go-to live TV streaming services for die-hard sports fans. With major channels like Fox Sports, NBA TV, The NFL Network, ABC Sports, and ESPN, you’re sure to find all the sports you love.
FuboTV isn’t limited to sports, though. You can also stream live TV from popular networks like A&E, BBC America, Discovery, USA Network, and local news networks. FuboTV’s plans start at $69.99 per month with over 110 channels, 1,000 hours of DVR storage, and 10 simultaneous streams.
Among the add-on premium channels, you’ll find Sports Plus ($10.99 per month), AMC Premiere ($4.99 per month), STARZ ($8.99 per month), and a series of packages like Adventure Plus, International Sports Plus, and Fubo Extra with channels like NickToons, People TV, the Cooking Channel, and Magnolia Network. Paired with a standard seven-day free trial, FuboTV is an excellent choice for a live TV streaming service.
Sling TV
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| More affordable than competitors | 50 hours of DVR storage |
| Compatible with all major streaming devices | Limited channel availability with base plans |
| Customizable subscription options | Free trial periodically available |
| Frequent promotions | |
| Free subscription plan available | |
| Movie rentals available |
When live TV streaming services started gaining popularity, Sling TV was at the forefront of the trend. It offers reasonable pricing with a respectable channel lineup, perfect for those looking for a balance between sports and general entertainment.
Sling TV offers three plans: Sling Orange ($35 per month), Sling Blue ($35 per month), and Sling Orange + Blue ($50 per month). Sling Orange is more sports-focused than Sling Blue, with three ESPN stations, Stadium, and MotorTrend, as well as more premium channels like Disney. Sling Blue, on the other hand, offers about 10 more channels than the Orange plan, and leans more towards general entertainment with options like Bravo, SyFy, TruTV, and FX. The Blue plan also offers local news channels depending on where you’re located, which Sling Orange doesn’t provide. If you prefer a more complete channel lineup, Sling also bundles the two packages with the Orange + Blue, giving you about 50 channels to choose from.
If you’d like to customize your subscription, you can choose from dozens of add-on packages for a small monthly charge. Prices range between $5 to $20 per month, and include options such as Sports Extra, EPIX, STARZ, SHOWTIME, and Kids Extra. With so many ways to customize your subscription, Sling is one of the most flexible streaming services on the market.
Philo
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Budget-friendly | No live sports or local channels available |
| Large content variety | Limited add-ons available |
| Seven-day free trial | |
| Unlimited DVR | |
| Three simultaneous device streams |
Philo stands out as one of the best budget live TV streaming services available, offering only one package at $25 per month with a seven-day free trial. You’ll get 60+ channels (including live TV), unlimited DVR recordings, and three simultaneous device streams.
In addition to live channels like A&E, Paramount, Hallmark, MTV, and Nickelodeon, you’ll also find an impressive collection of 60,000 on-demand titles. Unfortunately, to keep subscription costs low, Philo doesn’t offer live sports or local channels. But you’ll still find a couple of add-on options like STARZ and EPIX, giving you an extra 9,500 titles to choose from for a small additional charge (between $3 and $9 per month).
DirecTV
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Popular networks available with all plans | Higher-end pricing |
| Large channel selection | Only two user profiles available per household |
| Five-day free trial | |
| Unlimited DVR storage | |
| Local channels available | |
| Up to 20 simultaneous device streams |
Almost everyone has heard of AT&T, but as the phone provider loses more and more subscribers from its traditional contracts, it decided to fight back by offering its own live TV streaming service: DirecTV. The full range of channels will vary depending on the package you choose, but you’ll get the most popular networks like ABC, FOX, CBS, Bravo, and Disney Channel with every package.
There are various packages available, as well as add-on options you can include in your subscription. The only difference between each of the packages is the number of channels available. No matter which option you choose, you’ll get a respectable selection of live sports like Fox Sports 1 and ESPN, as well as popular entertainment and local news networks. Here’s a break down of the pricing for each package:
- Entertainment: $69.99 per month with 65+ channels available.
- Choice: $84.99 per month with 90+ channels, including Regional Sports Networks (RSNs).
- Ultimate: $94.99 per month with 130+ channels, including RSNs.
- Premier: $183 per month with 140+ channels available.
To expand your channel lineup, you can also pay the extra fee for add-ons, such as HBO for $15 per month, Cinemax for $11 per month, SHOWTIME for $11 per month, and STARZ for $11 per month. If you’re looking to transition away from traditional cable TV contracts, DirecTV is a great option. You’ll find many of the same cable TV channels, but you’ll benefit from lower prices, flexible contracts, and a five-day free trial.
AppleTV Plus
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| One of the most affordable streaming services | Relatively small content library Lacks content outside Apple originals |
| Seven-day free trial | No add-ons or upgrades available |
| Growing library of high-quality, original content | |
| Parental controls available | |
| Long free trial available with Apple device purchase |
Apple TV Plus is one of the most affordable on-demand streaming services, but it comes at a cost. While the platform primarily offers its own original content, it’s a much smaller lineup than you’d find on Hulu or Netflix. That being said, a subscription to Apple TV Plus is just $4.99 per month, featuring an ever-growing library of originals to enjoy. Currently, there are about 113 shows and movies available, with more being added every month. For viewers on the fence about the service, Apple TV Plus offers a seven-day free trial to help you make your decision.
You’ll have access to popular shows and award-winning films like “Ted Lasso” and “Severance,” as well as new releases like “The Big Conn.” In addition, you can create up to five profiles on your account, and you even have the ability to restrict certain content on specific profiles to protect younger family members from inappropriate content.
Disney Plus
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Affordable pricing | Less variety than other streaming services |
| Options to bundle and save | Not every Disney movie and show is listed |
| Access to every Star Wars and Marvel Cinematic Universe movie and show | |
| Access to many Disney classics | |
| Four simultaneous device streams |
While Disney Plus is widely known as one of the best streaming services for kids, it appeals to older audiences, too. You’ll find a massive catalog of popular TV shows and movies (without ads and at an affordable price) that you can’t find anywhere else.
Starting out with over 8,000 titles to choose from, the catalog is constantly growing with additions like “Turning Red,” “Encanto,” and “Hocus Pocus 2.” In the lineup, you’ll find Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and even National Geographic, too.
As a standalone subscription, Disney Plus only costs $8 per month. But there are multiple ways to bundle it with Hulu and ESPN Plus to save money in the long-run. For example, Hulu-billed members who don’t have Disney Plus can add it to their subscription for only $2.99 per month. The downside of Disney Plus? There’s currently no free trial available.
Paramount Plus
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Affordable subscriptions | Only premium subscribers get local CBS broadcast channels |
| Ad-free options | Only premium subscribers have access to offline downloads |
| Wide channel variety | |
| Live sports coverage | |
| Seven-day free trial | |
| Three simultaneous streams |
Paramount Plus is the rebranded streaming service that replaced CBS All Access. As you might expect, you’ll be able to watch all of the provider’s network stations, including CBS News, CBSN, CBS Sports, and CBS Home Entertainment.
You’ll also find BET, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, the Smithsonian Channel, and thousands of movies and TV shows in the Paramount on-demand library. In addition, the platform guarantees at least 1,000 live sporting events per year, covering NFL games, the PGA Tour, NCAA March Madness, and the UEFA Champions League.
With a seven-day free trial, and a cost of $5.99 per month after that (or $9.99 per month for an ad-free experience with the Premium plan), you’ll have access to classic shows like “Star Trek” and “I Love Lucy,” or newer offerings like “The Good Fight.” Paramount Plus also offers a wide range of favorite films like “Stand By Me” and “The Godfather Trilogy.” What more could you ask for?
ESPN Plus
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| A lot of live sports available | No live NFL or NBA games |
| Reliable streaming performance | No DVR functionality |
| On-demand access to ESPN’s high-quality archives | Does not include most of ESPN’s core programming |
| Supports offline downloads on mobile devices | |
| Affordable pricing | |
| Three simultaneous streams |
The first thing to understand about ESPN Plus is that it’s not the same as the regular ESPN channel. This means you won’t find flagship ESPN shows like SportsCenter or its live NFL and NBA broadcasts. However, ESPN Plus still offers a respectable lineup of live and on-demand sports, in addition to its top-notch 30 for 30 documentary series and E:60 productions.
For $6.99 per month, you’ll get live out-of-market NHL and MLB games, full replays, NBA G League matchups, and in-house series exclusively for the ESPN Plus platform. Unfortunately, the streaming service no longer offers a free trial, but you can bundle it with Disney Plus for free when you subscribe to Hulu + Live TV for $69.99 per month.
How to choose the best live TV streaming service for you?
Choosing the best live TV streaming service for you will come down to your preferences, needs, and interests. Some platforms like Hulu + Live TV or YouTube TV focus on giving a wide variety of entertainment options, and others like FuboTV are best for sports. Many services also offer a wide range of live news options and premium networks like HBO and SHOWTIME, giving you the ability to customize your subscription.
Aside from the type of content you’re most interested in, you’ll need to determine how much you’re willing to pay for a monthly subscription. Most platforms offer a range of packages to suit the needs of viewers, starting at as little as $5 per month and ending skyward of $100 for premium channel availability.
Plus, if having local channels is a deal-breaker, you should be aware that some services might have a limited range of options. But with the ability to customize your subscription with add-ons and premium channels, cable TV just doesn’t stand a chance. It’s also important to note that there are no lengthy contracts with TV streaming services, which means you can cancel your subscription at any time if you’re not satisfied. Once you determine your priorities, you’ll be able to decide on the best live TV streaming service for you.
Final thoughts
No matter which streaming service you choose, you’ll likely be getting a cheaper, more flexible service than your current cable subscription. Most of the options listed above offer free trials, so if you’re still unsure, you could always give each one of them a try before making your final decision. But remember to cancel your subscription before the trial ends if you don’t want to automatically be charged for your first month.
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