Live TV streaming services may offer different packages and add-ons for viewers, but you want to ensure you can watch your local channels along with cable networks and on-demand videos. Not every service provides access to local programming (like PBS, ABC or NBC), sports or channels you'd typically find on cable and satellite TV. Compare channel lineups before choosing.
You can choose a streaming service subscription that aligns with your budget, and there are multiple services available. Prices range from $25 to over $100 per month, depending on what you want. When considering costs, review the channel selection, cloud DVR abilities, price of premium add-ons, and how many devices you can stream on simultaneously.
Take note of how many screens you can watch at a time. For example, YouTube TV allows you to stream on three devices at once, while Hulu grants you two, with the option to pay extra for more screens. Look for platform offerings that fit your household's needs.
If you want the best mix of live streaming and on-demand, Hulu Plus Live TV is it. Its channel selection may not be as robust as YouTube TV or Fubo, but it's almost there -- especially with the addition of PBS and Magnolia. Yet, it's Hulu's significant catalog of on-demand content which helps set it apart. Not only does the $77 service include Hulu basic but also Disney Plus and ESPN Plus, plus an unlimited DVR. Hulu's exclusive titles such as The Bear, The Handmaid's Tale and Only Murders in the Building, plus its massive catalog of broadcast programming, grant it a content advantage no other service can match. Given that Hulu Plus Live TV offers you more with its live channels it's the service to choose for live TV streaming.
If you want the best mix of live streaming and on-demand, Hulu Plus Live TV is it. Its channel selection may not be as robust as YouTube TV or Fubo, but it's almost there -- especially with the addition of PBS and Magnolia. Yet, it's Hulu's significant catalog of on-demand content which helps set it apart. Not only does the $77 service include Hulu basic but also Disney Plus and ESPN Plus, plus an unlimited DVR. Hulu's exclusive titles such as The Bear, The Handmaid's Tale and Only Murders in the Building, plus its massive catalog of broadcast programming, grant it a content advantage no other service can match. Given that Hulu Plus Live TV offers you more with its live channels it's the service to choose for live TV streaming.
YouTube TV has more top channels than any competitor at this price, and it's one of only two with local PBS stations currently -- Hulu will be coming online later in 2023. The basic $73 YouTube TV service has an excellent cloud DVR, including both unlimited storage and a generous nine months to watch recordings (most rivals offer 30 days). The interface is no-nonsense, even if a little drab, and yet it offers most of the features a cable service can give you. YouTube TV is also the only one to offer surround sound on live broadcasts.
In 2023, YouTube TV is the exclusive home of NFL Sunday Ticket, with pricing starting at $249 for early birds. In addition, the video streaming service has a $20 monthly upgrade that lets you watch 4K livestreams, of college football in particular. Given a lack of 4K content otherwise, it's not a great value for a resolution boost alone, but it does add an unlimited number of simultaneous streams (up from three) and offline DVR downloads.
YouTube TV has more top channels than any competitor at this price, and it's one of only two with local PBS stations currently -- Hulu will be coming online later in 2023. The basic $73 YouTube TV service has an excellent cloud DVR, including both unlimited storage and a generous nine months to watch recordings (most rivals offer 30 days). The interface is no-nonsense, even if a little drab, and yet it offers most of the features a cable service can give you. YouTube TV is also the only one to offer surround sound on live broadcasts.
In 2023, YouTube TV is the exclusive home of NFL Sunday Ticket, with pricing starting at $249 for early birds. In addition, the video streaming service has a $20 monthly upgrade that lets you watch 4K livestreams, of college football in particular. Given a lack of 4K content otherwise, it's not a great value for a resolution boost alone, but it does add an unlimited number of simultaneous streams (up from three) and offline DVR downloads.
If you're looking for the cheapest live TV streaming service, and one which is still able to offer a usable amount of channels, then it's without a doubt Sling TV Blue. Yet, things are a little more complicated than they are for Sling's competitors. You see, Sling tenders two different $40-ish-per-month live TV streaming channel packages, Sling Orange and Sling Blue. While a number of live TV channels are common to both, Orange is essentially the ESPN/Disney package, while Blue is the Fox/Discovery package. Meanwhile, Orange & Blue combines the two offerings for $55.
Further, the addition of ABC to five markets has increased its price there to $45 -- while it remains $40 in others. As a result, Sling TV may cost up to $20 more than Philo, but it still has better channels, more options and a comparatively better live TV streaming interface. Sling is also cheaper than most other streaming services, let alone cable. In addition to a relatively affordable price, Sling TV has two new feathers in its cap: an upgraded DVR (increased to 50 hours); and a new interface (as seen above) which makes the service a lot more fun to use.
If you're looking for the cheapest live TV streaming service, and one which is still able to offer a usable amount of channels, then it's without a doubt Sling TV Blue. Yet, things are a little more complicated than they are for Sling's competitors. You see, Sling tenders two different $40-ish-per-month live TV streaming channel packages, Sling Orange and Sling Blue. While a number of live TV channels are common to both, Orange is essentially the ESPN/Disney package, while Blue is the Fox/Discovery package. Meanwhile, Orange & Blue combines the two offerings for $55.
Further, the addition of ABC to five markets has increased its price there to $45 -- while it remains $40 in others. As a result, Sling TV may cost up to $20 more than Philo, but it still has better channels, more options and a comparatively better live TV streaming interface. Sling is also cheaper than most other streaming services, let alone cable. In addition to a relatively affordable price, Sling TV has two new feathers in its cap: an upgraded DVR (increased to 50 hours); and a new interface (as seen above) which makes the service a lot more fun to use.
For cord-cutters who want to follow their local NBA or MLB team, DirecTV Stream's $99 Choice package is our live TV sports pick, because it has access to more regional sports networks than the competition. Additionally DirecTV Stream includes channels some other services can't, including almost 250 local PBS stations.
For cord-cutters who want to follow their local NBA or MLB team, DirecTV Stream's $99 Choice package is our live TV sports pick, because it has access to more regional sports networks than the competition. Additionally DirecTV Stream includes channels some other services can't, including almost 250 local PBS stations.
While you are probably familiar with the services on this list, it's not fully reflective of every live TV platform available. Fubo, Pluto and Vidgo are among the other services that may offer what you want. There are plenty of other ways to stream and other options to choose. As we analyzed these streaming platforms, we considered a few things.
This list is ordered based on the numerical value I assigned to each streaming service in their individual review, which I determined by design (ease of use and layout), features (like 4K HDR, DVR, number of multiple streams), content (number of channels, sports offerings, add-on packages and quality of originals and catalogs) and value (price compared to these other factors). Click through to the full reviews for more details.
Each of the TV streaming services above offers a different mix of channels, so your first step should be choosing one that carries your "can't miss" cable channels and shows. Some of the most important live channels are local, namely ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC. Not every service offers all of them in every area, but the best streaming service for you will include the majority of what you love to watch, so it's worth shopping around.
The live TV streaming service lineups are in constant flux as networks scramble to secure access to popular channels (ones with highly watched original shows and regional sports networks are especially in demand). There's also the chance that a certain cable channel could disappear from a certain service after a network contract expires, which is what happened in 2020 with the regional sports networks.
Broadly, each of these streaming services can be broken down into two main groups: budget, with prices ranging between $25 and $50 and few or no local channels; and premium, with prices from $70 and up, and local channels and supercharged cloud DVRs. That's right, all of the services allow you to record and play back shows, just like a traditional cable or satellite DVR, but they often come with restrictions.
Next, there's the multistream question. If you want to watch more than one program at the same time -- for example, on your living room TV and on a bedroom TV, or the main TV and a tablet or other devices -- you'll want to make sure the video streaming service you're watching has enough simultaneous streams. Sling Orange only allows one stream at a time, and if you try to watch a second, it's blocked. Other services have higher simultaneous stream limits.
First, it's worth looking at the channels that you can't get with any of these live TV streaming services. For example, only two of the services are currently able to offer PBS: YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream. Meanwhile, PBS local stations will roll out on Hulu with Live TV in the coming months.
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