The best live TV streaming services
Furbo
Live TV streaming services are marketed as a cheaper alternative to cable or satellite, offering tighter channel packages for potential “cord cutters.” However, prices have gone up in this space, reducing the cost benefit that streaming has over traditional TV.
That said, in many cases you can still save with certain services, but choosing the right package is essential for getting the most out of these platforms, so you’ll want to figure out which TV stations are your must-haves before you choose a provider.
If you plan to use a live TV streaming service to replace cable on multiple TVs in your home, be prepared to pay a bit extra so you can stream simultaneously on separate devices. Also, keep in mind that these TV services have the same commercials as cable even though they’re broadcast online.
Streaming quality can vary from channel to channel, but they all typically maintain 720p or 1080p resolution. Again, you’ll want to check the specific channel packages and other perks offered by each service to figure out which is best for you.
Here’s a rundown of the leading live TV services available now:
Sling TV – Sling TV offers two different packages, Sling Blue and Sling Orange, for $40 a month each, or $55 a month bundled together.
Sling Blue offers streaming on up to three devices and more channels, including MSNBC, Fox News, Fox Sports, and the NFL Network. Sling Orange offers Disney channel and the ESPN family of networks, but only allows one streaming device at a time. You can find a full breakdown of Sling channels in our guide.
Getting the bundle makes the most sense, since you’ll get the full set of channels and features for $15 extra. It’s worth noting that Sling viewers can’t access their local ABC or CBS affiliates, so if you want those channels, you should look to another service or an antenna.
Hulu + Live TV – Hulu’s Live TV plan costs $70 a month for access to more than 85 channels. You need to pay for an upgrade to stream on more than two devices at the same time, however. On the plus side, Hulu + Live TV automatically includes Hulu’s entire on-demand service, Disney Plus, and ESPN+, so you get a lot more value there.
The base package includes all the major local networks in most markets, the ESPN family of channels, Fox and NBC Sports channels, and SEC Network. However, the service lacks access to AMC, NBA TV, and the MLB Network, all of which are standard for YouTube TV.Â
Fubo TV – FuboTV starts at $70 a month for over 100 channels, 1,000 hours of cloud DVR space, and streaming on up to 10 devices in your home. Unlike most of its competitors, Fubo charges extra for sports channels like the SEC Network, NBA TV, and the MLB Network. Local channels are included at no additional cost.
YouTube TV – YouTube TV costs $65 a month for more than 85 channels with unlimited cloud DVR storage and streaming on up to three devices at once. YouTubeTV includes more sports channels in its base package than its competitors, including ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC Sports, the NFL Network, NBA TV, and the MLB Network.
YouTubeTV is also the only live TV streaming service currently offering PBS alongside local affiliate networks from CBS, Fox, ABC, and NBC. New members can get their first three months for a discounted rate of $55 a month.
DirecTV Stream (formerly AT&T TV) – Starting at $70 a month for a no-contract plan, DirecTV TV provides more pricing and package options than most live TV streaming competitors — the service offers nearly every channel, but like standard cable, it can be hard to get all the channels you want in a cheap bundle.
Because DirecTV Stream comes from AT&T, which is HBO Max’s parent company, most of the packages also include an HBO Max subscription, which would cost $15 a month separately.
Philo TV – Philo TV is the most affordable option at $25 a month for 60+ channels. Unfortunately, Philo viewers don’t have access to their local affiliate networks, and the service doesn’t offer many upgrade options for watching sports or cable news. It does offer popular channels like Paramount Network, Comedy Central, MTV, and AMC, though, so there’s still plenty to watch.
Related Post
The best live TV streaming services
Furbo
Live TV streaming services are marketed as a cheaper alternative to cable or satellite, offering tighter channel packages for potential “cord cutters.” However, prices have gone up in this space, reducing the cost benefit that streaming has over traditional TV.
That said, in many cases you can still save with certain services, but choosing the right package is essential for getting the most out of these platforms, so you’ll want to figure out which TV stations are your must-haves before you choose a provider.
If you plan to use a live TV streaming service to replace cable on multiple TVs in your home, be prepared to pay a bit extra so you can stream simultaneously on separate devices. Also, keep in mind that these TV services have the same commercials as cable even though they’re broadcast online.
Streaming quality can vary from channel to channel, but they all typically maintain 720p or 1080p resolution. Again, you’ll want to check the specific channel packages and other perks offered by each service to figure out which is best for you.
Here’s a rundown of the leading live TV services available now:
Sling TV – Sling TV offers two different packages, Sling Blue and Sling Orange, for $40 a month each, or $55 a month bundled together.
Sling Blue offers streaming on up to three devices and more channels, including MSNBC, Fox News, Fox Sports, and the NFL Network. Sling Orange offers Disney channel and the ESPN family of networks, but only allows one streaming device at a time. You can find a full breakdown of Sling channels in our guide.
Getting the bundle makes the most sense, since you’ll get the full set of channels and features for $15 extra. It’s worth noting that Sling viewers can’t access their local ABC or CBS affiliates, so if you want those channels, you should look to another service or an antenna.
Hulu + Live TV – Hulu’s Live TV plan costs $70 a month for access to more than 85 channels. You need to pay for an upgrade to stream on more than two devices at the same time, however. On the plus side, Hulu + Live TV automatically includes Hulu’s entire on-demand service, Disney Plus, and ESPN+, so you get a lot more value there.
The base package includes all the major local networks in most markets, the ESPN family of channels, Fox and NBC Sports channels, and SEC Network. However, the service lacks access to AMC, NBA TV, and the MLB Network, all of which are standard for YouTube TV.Â
Fubo TV – FuboTV starts at $70 a month for over 100 channels, 1,000 hours of cloud DVR space, and streaming on up to 10 devices in your home. Unlike most of its competitors, Fubo charges extra for sports channels like the SEC Network, NBA TV, and the MLB Network. Local channels are included at no additional cost.
YouTube TV – YouTube TV costs $65 a month for more than 85 channels with unlimited cloud DVR storage and streaming on up to three devices at once. YouTubeTV includes more sports channels in its base package than its competitors, including ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC Sports, the NFL Network, NBA TV, and the MLB Network.
YouTubeTV is also the only live TV streaming service currently offering PBS alongside local affiliate networks from CBS, Fox, ABC, and NBC. New members can get their first three months for a discounted rate of $55 a month.
DirecTV Stream (formerly AT&T TV) – Starting at $70 a month for a no-contract plan, DirecTV TV provides more pricing and package options than most live TV streaming competitors — the service offers nearly every channel, but like standard cable, it can be hard to get all the channels you want in a cheap bundle.
Because DirecTV Stream comes from AT&T, which is HBO Max’s parent company, most of the packages also include an HBO Max subscription, which would cost $15 a month separately.
Philo TV – Philo TV is the most affordable option at $25 a month for 60+ channels. Unfortunately, Philo viewers don’t have access to their local affiliate networks, and the service doesn’t offer many upgrade options for watching sports or cable news. It does offer popular channels like Paramount Network, Comedy Central, MTV, and AMC, though, so there’s still plenty to watch.
