Customers searching for a live TV streaming service as a convenient way to tune into national and local networks airing your favorite TV shows and live events. Many services are contract-free, meaning you can cancel at any time. They also come with a variety of channel packages and add-ons, meaning you can tailor your subscription to your viewing habits and budget.
On-demand content libraries, DVR cloud storage, and the ability to stream on devices at home or while on the go make TV streaming services attractive options for viewers. Whether looking for something tailored around sporting events or entertainment for the whole family, they offer highly flexible and comprehensive viewing options, all for a cheaper price than cable. These are our top picks for the best live TV streaming services this year.
Best live TV streaming services
- Best Overall: Hulu + Live TV
- Best for Only Live TV: YouTube TV
- Best for Sport Lovers: FuboTV
- Best on a Budget: Sling TV
- Best for Local Channels and RSNs: DIRECTV STREAM
- Best for Exclusive Sports Content: ESPN Plus
Best Live TV Streaming Services Compared
| Live TV Streaming Service | Cost Per Month | Number of Channels | Free Trial? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hulu + Live TV | $69.99+ | 75+ | No |
| YouTube TV | $64.99+ | 100+ | Yes |
| FuboTV | $69.99+ | 124+ | Yes |
| Sling TV | $40+ | 31+ | No |
| DIRECTV STREAM | $69.99 | 75+ | Yes |
| ESPN Plus | $9.99 | n/a | No |
Best Overall: Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV offers a single plan with 75+ channels and access to the Hulu, Disney Plus, and ESPN Plus on-demand content libraries. Channels available on Hulu + Live TV include major networks like ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, CNN, Discovery, ESPN, National Geographic, Nickelodeon, and MTV. However, the service doesn’t offer many regional sports networks.
There is no free trial for Hulu + Live TV, which costs $69.99 per month. However, the service has no contract and can be canceled at any time. Add-ons like Sports, Entertainment, and Espanol, or premium channels like SHOWTIME, are available for $4.99 to $14.99 per month each.
One of the major benefits of Hulu + Live TV compared with similar services is that it includes the Disney Bundle. This means subscribers can access to the Disney Plus on-demand library and ESPN Plus content and live events, such as exclusive UFC Pay-per-view (PPV) content.
Another feature that sets Hulu + Live TV apart is access to Hulu’s own on-demand library. This features popular movies and shows, including exclusive Hulu Originals like “The Dropout,” “Little Fires Everywhere,” and “American Horror Story.”
Best for Only Live TV: YouTube TV
YouTube TV offers a single plan for live TV streaming with 100+ channels for $64.99 per month. While YouTube TV doesn’t offer a free trial, subscriptions are contract-free and can be canceled at any time.
In terms of networks, YouTube TV offers access to a range of major national and regional channels. These include ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, CNN, Comedy Central, Discovery, Disney, ESPN, Food Network, National Geographic, and PBS. There are also dozens of add-on networks available covering entertainment, sports, and Spanish-language channels.
One thing that sets YouTube TV apart from the competition is that in addition to unlimited DVR storage to record shows, movies, and events, you can create up to six user profiles with each subscription. You can also add technical features like unlimited streams, 4K video quality, and offline recording.
YouTube TV doesn’t provide an independent on-demand library, but many of the networks hosted by the service make episodes of recent shows and movies available for on-demand rewatch. Subscribers can access these libraries via YouTube TV.
Best for Sport Lovers: FuboTV
FuboTV has three plans, each giving access to a wide range of networks covering news, entertainment, and sports. The Pro plan offers 124+ channels for $69.99 per month, Elite ups the channel list to 178+ for $79.99 per month, and Ultimate provides the most channels at 214+ for $99.99 per month. All plans are contract-free and offer a free trial.
The FuboTV channel line-up includes major networks like ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, Disney Channel, National Geographic, and Comedy Central. FuboTV also offers great sports coverage with dedicated channels like ESPN, NFL Network, Big Ten Network, and Golf Network. Some major networks, such as CNN, TBS, and TNT, aren’t included.
The Pro, Elite, and Ultimate plans include 1,000 hours of cloud DVR storage so you can record shows and events to watch later. They also include the Unlimited Screens add-on, meaning you can watch on as many screens as you want at the same time, which is ideal for large households.
FuboTV also offers some of the best provisions for speakers of languages other than English. It has a dedicated Latino plan with 43+ channels for $32.99 per month and add-on channel packages in Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese.
Best on a Budget: Sling TV
Sling TV sets itself apart from other streaming services by offering three relatively inexpensive plans. Orange offers 31 channels for $40 per month, Blue offers 41 channels for $40 per month, and Orange & Blue combines the two packages to offer 47 channels for $55 per month.
Sling TV doesn’t currently offer a free trial, but subscriptions are contract-free and can be canceled at any time. Although the Sling TV plans give access to fewer networks than other services, they still provide plenty to watch. However, the individual Orange and Blue plans offer varied network selections, with Orange featuring ESPN channels and Blue featuring channels like Fox, NBC, Discovery, National Geographic, and NFL Network instead.
For customers who want the best of both plans, Orange & Blue combines all channels together in one easy plan. All plans include major news networks like CNN but don’t include ABC or CBS.
Channel add-ons are also available, with the Premium Pass giving access to networks like SHOWTIME and STARZ, and Sports Extra providing extra NFL and NCAA football coverage. Make sure to take advantage of the current 50% off your first month promotion to get the lowest price available.
Best for Local Channels and RSN’s: DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV STREAM offers four live TV streaming plans. The base plan is Entertainment, offering 75+ channels for $69.99 per month, followed by Choice with 105+ channels for $89.99, Ultimate with 140+ channels for $104.99, and Premier with 150+ channels for $149.99. All DIRECTV STREAM plans offer a five-day free trial.
All plans include major networks covering news, entertainment, and sports like ABC, NBC, Fox, Comedy Central, CNN, Discovery, Food Network, Paramount Network, History Channel, Food Network, Fox Sports 1, and CNN.
From the Choice plan up, regional sports networks are included for no extra cost. The Ultimate and Premier plans include an extensive sports channel list. This makes DIRECTV STREAM a worthwhile investment for avid sports fans, even though its top-end plans are more expensive than competitors.
All plans also include unlimited DVR storage and the option to add premium channels for extra sports and entertainment options. However, many of the premium channels, like STARZ, SHOWTIME, Cinemax, and HBO, are already included in the Premier plan.
Best for Exclusive Sports Content: ESPN Plus
ESPN Plus isn’t a live TV streaming service and doesn’t allow subscribers to watch ESPN channels. However, for $9.99 per month, it does offer access to plenty of live sports events, original ESPN shows, and exclusive content on the ESPN Plus app.
Sports available to watch via ESPN Plus include UFC, baseball, college football and basketball, tennis, soccer, golf, and more, but it doesn’t offer NFL or NBA live games. ESPN Plus is the only outlet to offer exclusive access to UFC PPV events for an extra fee on top of the monthly charge.
In addition to live events, ESPN Plus offers a content library dedicated to sports commentary, analysis, and behind-the-scenes access. These include the “30 for 30” library and documentaries featuring some of the biggest names in sports, such as “Peyton’s Places” with Peyton Manning, “Man in the Arena” with Tom Brady, and “More Than An Athlete” with Michael Strahan.
ESPN Plus is available via other live TV streaming services as an add-on. With Hulu + Live TV, ESPN Plus is included along with Disney Plus as part of Disney Bundle.
Other livestreaming services we recommend
There are plenty of live TV streaming services to choose from. Two alternatives to the options listed above are Philo TV and Frndly.
Philo TV offers 70+ channels for just $25 per month, plus the option of a free trial. Its channel list features popular entertainment channels like Comedy Central, Food Network, History, Lifetime, MTV, and Nickelodeon. However, it doesn’t include any major news or sports networks.
Frndly is even cheaper at $6.99 per month, also offering the option of a seven-day free trial. Subscribers get access to 40+ channels with this service. These channels don’t include any major news or sports networks but do have popular entertainment options like A&E, Hallmark, History, and Lifetime.
How to Choose the Best Live TV Streaming Service for You
Choosing the best live TV streaming service for you depends on your interests and your budget. Different services give you the option of prioritizing sports, premium entertainment, news, or general interest channels. You may also want to consider how you watch TV, as some packages prioritize live events and others include comprehensive on-demand content libraries.
In general, the best live TV streaming services for sports fans are FuboTV and DIRECTV STREAM, as they have the most expansive sports network options. Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and Sling TV are more geared toward entertainment.
Non-live TV streaming services to choose from
For people more interested in having access to an on-demand content library than live TV channels, there are plenty of non-live TV streaming services available. These provide on-demand content libraries typically focused on series, movies, documentaries, and other entertainment. Some also give access to watch limited live TV channels.
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video is focused on movies and series and includes some sports coverage for $8.99 per month. The Amazon Prime Video library includes popular shows and movies like “The Lord Of the Rings,” “World War Z,” “Suits,” and “American Horror Story,” as well as kids’ content and documentaries. Sports coverage includes NFL, NBA, and soccer, with live events like “Thursday Night Football” and access to NBA League Pass. Amazon Prime Video customers can also purchase access to premium channels like SHOWTIME and STARZ.
Disney Plus
For $7.99 per month, Disney Plus provides access to movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, the “Star Wars” saga, and National Geographic. This includes films like “Toy Story,” “Ratatouille,” and “The Empire Strikes Back” and shows like “The Mandalorian.” It also includes some external shows like “Dancing with the Stars” and “Only Murders in the Building.” A subscription to Disney Plus includes unlimited downloads on up to 10 devices.
Paramount Plus
Starting at $4.99 per month, Paramount Plus features access to a wide range of entertainment options, and general interest shows from MTV, CBS, BET, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, and Smithsonian Channel. It also offers live sports like NFL games and UEFA Champions League matches aired on CBS, plus highlights, replays, and expert analysis from CBS Sports HQ. Customers who sign up for the Paramount Plus with SHOWTIME bundle (for $11.99 per month) also get access to watch premium SHOWTIME content and their local live CBS station.
Netflix
Netflix offers movies and TV shows starting at a base rate of $6.99 per month. One of the biggest appeals of Netflix is its library of original content, including popular shows like “Stranger Things,” “The Crown,” and “The Witcher.” However, it also hosts classic, seasonal, and new-release movies and non-original shows like “New Girl,” “Seinfeld,” and “How to Get Away With Murder.”
Final Thoughts
Live TV streaming services offer access to an extensive range of networks that allow customers to watch live shows, sporting events, and record things they don’t want to miss. Many services also offer on-demand content that can be watched at any time. The range of live TV streaming plans and add-ons gives customers the option to choose or create a package that’s tailored to their interests and budget. As most offer free trials or commitment-free contracts, it’s also easy to test out different services to find one that best suits your viewing habits.
Live TV streaming services are cheaper and more flexible than cable. Not only is it easy to cancel contracts and switch providers, but it’s also possible to watch on multiple devices at the same time. This means you’re free to enjoy the live TV streaming service of your choice from the comfort of your living room or on the go via your tablet, smartphone, or laptop.
FAQs
What is the most reliable live TV streaming service?
Hulu is the most reliable live TV option for cord-cutters to watch their favorite shows, movies, and even live TV channels without the high price of cable TV. While it’s not the cheapest streaming service or live tv subscription on the market, it offers a channel lineup, various video quality options, offline downloads (with no-ad plans), and a wide variety of on-demand shows and original movies.
Is streaming cheaper than cable?
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 the affordable prices, customizable channel packages, convenience, and flexibility. The cheapest live TV option is Philo for just $25 per month. Our top pick is Hulu + Live TV for $70 per month, as it offers a wide range of streaming options.
What is the best sports streaming service?
Hulu + Live TV offers everything you need from A-Z for sports streaming. Hulu + Live TV includes ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2, TBS, TNT, and USA Network. These channels give you access to the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, PGA, and college sports.
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