Watching live TV without a traditional cable or satellite subscription is more accessible than ever. As the cost of conventional TV services continues to rise, a growing number of consumers are turning to live TV streaming platforms. These “skinny bundles” offer compelling advantages, including a wide array of channels, cloud-based DVR storage, and the flexibility of no long-term contracts. Viewers can stream live sports, news, and entertainment on their televisions, laptops, or mobile devices.
However, choosing the right service can be challenging due to varying prices, channel packages, and the availability of regional sports networks (RSNs). The market is dominated by six primary competitors: Fubo, Philo, Sling TV, DirecTV, YouTube TV, and Hulu + Live TV. To help you decide, we’ve compared these platforms based on the most crucial factor for most households: which of the top 100 channels they include in their base packages.
Prices for these services have been increasing across the board. DirecTV’s basic streaming plan now starts at $90 per month including fees, while YouTube TV, Fubo, and Hulu + Live TV have also raised their rates. Fubo, in particular, has seen its value proposition change after losing all Warner Bros. Discovery channels, including popular networks like Discovery Channel, Food Network, HGTV, and CNN. On the more affordable end, Sling TV’s basic plans start at $46 in most areas, while Philo offers a smaller, curated lineup that now includes AMC+.
Top 100 Channels: A Service-by-Service Comparison
The main difference between the services is their channel selection. The breakdown below details the availability of the top 100 channels across the six major streaming platforms. Note that Sling TV is listed with its two separate base tiers, Orange and Blue.
Before reviewing the list, keep the following in mind:
- A “Yes” indicates the channel is available on the service’s cheapest tier. A “$” symbol means it is available for an extra fee or as part of a more expensive package. “No” means the channel is not offered.
- The availability of local networks like ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, and The CW varies by geographic location. Always check the service’s website to confirm which local channels are available in your area.
- Local PBS stations are currently offered only by DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV, also subject to regional availability.
- Regional sports networks (RSNs), which broadcast local pro sports games, are not listed. DirecTV offers the most RSNs in its higher-priced tiers.
Total Top 100 Channels Included in Base Plans:
- YouTube TV ($83): 78
- Hulu with Live TV ($83): 75
- DirecTV ($90): 55
- Fubo ($85): 46
- Philo ($28): 42
- Sling Blue ($46): 35
- Sling Orange ($46): 24
Channel Lineups
A&E
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: Yes
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: No
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: $
ABC
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: No
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
ACC Network
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: No
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: $
Accuweather
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: No
- YouTube TV: No
- Hulu with Live TV: No
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
AMC
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: Yes
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: No
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: Yes
Animal Planet
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: No
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: Yes
BBC America
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: Yes
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: No
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: Yes
BBC World News
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: No
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: $
BET
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: Yes
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
Big Ten Network
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: $
Bloomberg TV
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: Yes
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: No
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
Boomerang
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: No
- Hulu with Live TV: $
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: Yes
Bravo
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
Cartoon Network
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: Yes
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: Yes
CBS
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: No
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
CBS Sports Network
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: No
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: $
Cheddar
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: No
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
Cinemax
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: No
- YouTube TV: $
- Hulu with Live TV: $
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: $
CMT
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
CNBC
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
CNN
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: Yes
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: Yes
Comedy Central
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: Yes
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
Cooking Channel
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: No
- Hulu with Live TV: $
- Fubo: $
- DirecTV: $
CW
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: No
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes (limited)
Destination America
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: No
- Hulu with Live TV: $
- Fubo: $
- DirecTV: $
Discovery Channel
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: Yes
Disney Channel
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: Yes
- Sling Blue: No
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
Disney Junior
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: No
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
Disney XD
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: No
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
E!
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
ESPN
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: Yes
- Sling Blue: No
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
ESPN 2
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: Yes
- Sling Blue: No
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
ESPNEWS
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: No
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: $
- DirecTV: $
ESPNU
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: No
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: $
- DirecTV: $
Food Network
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: Yes
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: Yes
Fox
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
Fox Business
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
Fox News
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
Freeform
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: Yes
- Sling Blue: No
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
FS1
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
FS2
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: $
FX
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
FX Movies
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: $
- DirecTV: $
FXX
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
FYI
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: No
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: $
Golf Channel
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: $
Hallmark
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
HBO/Max
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: No
- YouTube TV: $
- Hulu with Live TV: $
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: $
HGTV
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: Yes
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: Yes
History
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: Yes
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: No
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: $
HLN
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: Yes
IFC
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: Yes
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: No
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: Yes
Investigation Discovery
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: Yes
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: Yes
Lifetime
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: Yes
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: No
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: $
Lifetime Movie Network
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: No
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: $
Magnolia Network
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: $
MGM+
- Philo: $
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: $
- Hulu with Live TV: No
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: $
MLB Network
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: No
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: $
- DirecTV: $
Motor Trend
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: Yes
- Sling Blue: No
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: Yes
MSNBC
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
MTV
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
MTV2
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: $
- Fubo: $
- DirecTV: Yes
MyNetworkTV
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: No
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: Yes
National Geographic
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: No
Nat Geo Wild
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: $
- DirecTV: $
NBA TV
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: No
- Fubo: $
- DirecTV: $
NBC
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
NFL Network
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: $
NFL Red Zone
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: $
- Hulu with Live TV: $
- Fubo: $
- DirecTV: No
NHL Network
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: No
- Hulu with Live TV: No
- Fubo: $
- DirecTV: $
Nickelodeon
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: No
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
Nick Jr.
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: Yes
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: $
Nicktoons
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: $
- Fubo: $
- DirecTV: $
OWN
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: No
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: $
Oxygen
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: $
Paramount Network
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
PBS
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: No
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: Yes
Science
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: No
- Hulu with Live TV: $
- Fubo: $
- DirecTV: $
SEC Network
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: No
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: $
- DirecTV: $
Showtime
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: $
- Hulu with Live TV: $
- Fubo: $
- DirecTV: $
Smithsonian
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: No
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: $
Starz
- Philo: $
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: $
- Hulu with Live TV: $
- Fubo: $
- DirecTV: $
Sundance TV
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: No
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: Yes
Syfy
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
Tastemade
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: No
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: $
TBS
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: Yes
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: Yes
TCM
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: $
TeenNick
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: $
- Fubo: $
- DirecTV: Yes
Telemundo
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: No
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: $
Tennis Channel
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: No
- Hulu with Live TV: No
- Fubo: $
- DirecTV: $
TLC
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: Yes
TNT
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: Yes
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: Yes
Travel Channel
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: Yes
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: $
TruTV
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: $
TV Land
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
USA Network
- Philo: No
- Sling Orange: No
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
VH1
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: Yes
- DirecTV: Yes
Vice
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: Yes
- Sling Blue: Yes
- YouTube TV: No
- Hulu with Live TV: Yes
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: $
WE tv
- Philo: Yes
- Sling Orange: $
- Sling Blue: $
- YouTube TV: Yes
- Hulu with Live TV: No
- Fubo: No
- DirecTV: Yes
Choosing the Right Service: A Closer Look
Hulu + Live TV
At $83 a month, Hulu + Live TV includes access to both Disney+ and ESPN+. While its live channel selection is slightly smaller than YouTube TV’s, Hulu distinguishes itself with a vast and unmatched on-demand library featuring exclusive original series like Shōgun, The Bear, and Only Murders in the Building. The service also provides unlimited DVR storage with fast-forwarding capabilities, bringing its features in line with top competitors. For many, the combination of live TV with the extensive Disney bundle content makes it a compelling value.
YouTube TV
For $83 per month, YouTube TV stands out as a top-tier cable replacement, offering an excellent channel lineup, an intuitive interface, and a best-in-class cloud DVR. It also offers a 4K upgrade for an additional fee, though 4K content remains limited. For those willing to pay a premium over budget options, YouTube TV delivers a comprehensive and high-quality live TV streaming experience, making it an excellent choice for general viewers and NBA fans alike.
Sling TV
Sling TV is the leading budget-friendly streaming service for those who can live without a comprehensive local channel lineup. Its Orange and Blue packages start at $46 per month each, or they can be combined for $61 per month ($66 in some regions). The primary difference is that Orange allows one stream while Blue allows three. While not as robust or user-friendly as YouTube TV, Sling TV offers unbeatable value, especially when supplemented with a digital antenna for local stations.
DirecTV
With its base streaming package starting at $90 per month, DirecTV is the most expensive option on this list, competing directly with Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV. Its strength lies in its channel selection, which is particularly well-suited for sports fans seeking both national and local game coverage. DirecTV includes features like the ability to swipe between channels and offers broad access to nearly 250 local PBS stations. While the 90+ channel Entertainment package may suffice for some, the pricier Choice package is often necessary for cord-cutters wanting access to the most regional sports networks.
Fubo
Fubo offers a wide selection of channels with a strong focus on sports, making it an attractive option for soccer fans and those in areas served by its available RSNs. It is also one of the few services to carry the NFL Network and the optional RedZone add-on. However, its appeal is significantly diminished by the absence of all Warner Bros. Discovery networks, including key sports broadcasters TBS and TNT. At $85 for its base plan, this significant gap in its lineup makes competitors like YouTube TV a better choice for most viewers.
Philo
At $28 per month for new subscribers, Philo remains one of the cheapest live TV options available and now includes the AMC+ bundle. It focuses on entertainment, lifestyle, and reality programming from popular cable networks like Comedy Central, Hallmark, and Nickelodeon. However, it completely lacks sports channels, local stations, and major news networks. While most users would be better served by Sling TV’s more comprehensive offerings, Philo is a viable, low-cost solution if its specific channel lineup meets your needs.
