Best Live TV Streaming Service Providers

If you’re cutting the cord, might we suggest a live TV streaming service?

Best Value
Fubo TV
Fubo
4.8 out of 5 stars
4.75
Starting from
$79.99/mo.
Channel Count Range
183–259
Best for Top Channels
YouTubeTV
YouTube TV
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5
Starting from
$72.99/mo.
Channel Count Max
100
Best for Families
Hulu
Hulu + Live TV
4 out of 5 stars
4
Starting from
$69.99
/mo
Channel Count Max
85
Best for Money Savers
Sling
Sling
4 out of 5 stars
4
Starting from
$40
/mo
Channel Count Range
32-46
Best Premium Channels
Directv stream correct logo (2023)
DIRECTV streaming
3 out of 5 stars
3
Starting from
$69.99
/mo
Channel Count Range
90–185
Chantel Buchi
Jan 31, 2024
Icon Time To Read9 min read

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If you're thinking of switching over to a live TV streaming service, you're definitely not alone. More and more people are ditching cable or satellite TV to save money (especially during these inflation times, sigh).

We’ll help you find the best live TV streaming service based on your budget, and ensure you have all your favorite channels and ample DVR storage to meet your or your family’s needs.

Let's jump into the details of some of the best services in the industry.

What are the best live TV streaming services?
Provider
Monthly price
Available channels
Learn more
Fubo TV
$79.99–$99.9965-260
$34.99-$48930-100
Hulu
$69.99-$89.9985
Sling
$40-$5532-46
Directv stream correct logo (2023)
$69.99-$159.99*90–185
Data as of 04/05/2023. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
* Plus taxes. Req's purchase of Device. New customers only.
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To stream without lag, you'll want a reliable internet service provider. Find ISPs in your area.

fuboTV is our favorite live TV streaming service hands down

You can expect a great variety with fuboTV, including 50+ sports channels, and the best channel-to-price ratio in the industry.
How much is fuboTV?
Plan
Monthly price
DVR storage hrs.
Channels
Details
Pro$79.99/mo.1000 hrs., saves indefinitely183
Elite$89.99/mo.1000 hrs., saves indefinitely251
Premier$99.99/mo.1000 hrs., saves indefinitely260
Latino$32.99/mo. 250 hrs., saves indefinitely 65
Compatible device and internet connection required. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

What do we like about fuboTV?

  • Where sports is King, fuboTV has the most sports channels in the industry.
  • fuboTV also has news, lifestyle, movie, and kids channels.

How big of a sports fan are you?

fuboTV's Pro plan gets you close to 20 sports channels (plus 20 TUDN and BeIN SPORTS channels) in your lineup. If you order the Elite or Premier plan, you’ll have about 50.

You’ll find your well-known sports channels in the entry-level plan, such as ESPN, Big Ten Network, FOX Sports, and NFL Network.

And you could say the Elite and Ultimate plans are for the sports megafans who don't want to miss an Ole Miss college game or a Rafael Nadal tennis match.

Some sports channels in these packages include the following:

  • ACC Network (ACCN)
  • ESPNU
  • ESPNews
  • Fight Network
  • MLB Network
  • NBA TV
  • NHL Network
  • PAC-12 Networks
  • Pac-12 Mountain (or your regional network
  • SEC Network
  • Stadium
  • Stadium (1-3)
  • Tennis Channel
  • Zona Futbol

The whole family will love the channel variety

While you watch your Chicago Bulls play, your spouse can watch Flip or Flop, and your kids can watch Spongebob Squarepants.

fuboTV’s channel lineup includes the following channels:

  • Animal Planet
  • Big Ten Network
  • Food Network
  • FOX News
  • FS1, FS2
  • Hallmark Channel
  • HGTV
  • Lifetime
  • MSNBC
  • NFL Network
  • Nickelodeon
  • Telemundo
  • Universal Kids
  • Univision

What don’t we like about fuboTV?

  • fuboTV doesn't have TNT, TBS, and CNN

fuboTV is missing some key channels

Although this live TV service is the best for sports, we're disappointed that it doesn't have TNT for NBA games. (Shame!) But if you're an avid basketball fan, an NBA LEAGUE PASS subscription might be up your alley. 

And if you need TBS for MLB games, it also offers MLB.TV. fuboTV is actually the only live TV streaming service that offers MLB.TV as an add-on, making it convenient to have all your entertainment in one place. We know we like that

You won't be able to watch New Girl on TBS, and you can't get political news through CNN with fuboTV, but you do get to enjoy Hallmark Channel and MSNBC at least.

If you'd like to delve into lots more details about fuboTV, check out our full review.

YouTube TV is a phenomenal all-around service

This service has the top channels and unlimited DVR storage space.
How much is YouTube TV?
Plan
Monthly price
DVR storage hrs.
Channels
Details
YouTube TV
$72.99/mo.

Unlimited hrs., saves for 9 months

100+
Spanish Plan
$34.99/mo.

Unlimited hrs., saves for 9 months

30+
Compatible device and internet connection required. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
No long term contract. Cancel anytime.

What do we like about YouTube TV?

  • YouTube TV has an arguably complete channel lineup.
  • This streaming service has unlimited DVR storage space.
  • YouTube TV is home to NFL Sunday Ticket.

You get 100 great channels for every personality in the house

You snag 100 great channels with YouTube TV, including the ViacomCBS channels that we all love, such as Comedy Central, BET, and Paramount Network.

But one of our favorite parts about YouTube TV’s channel lineup is you get NFL Network, NBA TV, SEC Network, and ESPNU. Sure, you can get these channels with fuboTV, but you’d have to pay $20 more per month. 

(But scroll down a little to see the channels YouTube TV doesn't have before you subscribe.)

We named YouTube TV the second-best streaming service for sports because it has those sports channels along with nine others for $73/month. And this service is home to NFL SUNDAY TICKET. You can choose to add just NFL SUNDAY TICKET or bundle it with NFL RedZone. 

Service
Price
YouTube TV$72.99/mo.
NFL Sunday TIcket on Youtube$449/yr.
NFL Sunday Ticket + NFL RedZone + YoutubeTV$389/yr.^
NFL Sunday TIcket on Youtube$449/yr.
NFL Sunday TIcket + NFL RedZone on Youtube$489/yr.
Compatible device and internet connection required. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
^ Plus $72.99/mo recurring for YouTube TV. Compatible device and internet connection required. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

But before you spend hundreds of dollars, I recommend you check out your options. I compared NFL Sunday Ticket to both the NFL RedZone Channel and NFL+

In short, you'll only need the Ticket if you're a diehard Green Bay Packers or San Diego Chargers fan and you want to catch every game they play on Sunday morning or afternoon. 

If you're like me, who has multiple Fantasy Football teams to uphold and want to catch all of the good Sunday morning and afternoon moments in real-time, NFL RedZone is what you'll truly want. 

YouTube TV’s channel lineup includes the following:

  • ABC
  • BBC America
  • Cartoon Network
  • CNN
  • The CW
  • Disney Channel
  • ESPN, ESPN 2
  • Food Network
  • FOX
  • HGTV
  • Golf Channel
  • MSNBC
  • Nat Geo
  • Nickelodeon
  • PBS Kids
  • Pop
  • TBS
  • Telemundo
  • Tennis Channel
  • Universal Kids

YouTube TV’s DVR has the biggest storage space with unlimited hours. So you can literally record everything (like Hulu + Live TV). 

Record all of The Office episodes, NFL games, and The Price Is Right every day, and still have space to record more. But don't forget that your recordings will be erased after nine months. 

What don’t we like about YouTube TV?

  • YouTube TV doesn't have MLB Network or Tennis Channel.

YouTube TV has one-third of the sports channels that fuboTV does.

We stand by our statement that fuboTV is the best for sports fans (minus the absence of TNT and TBS, of course.)

Although YouTube TV is best for NBA-watchers, this streaming service won't give you lots of sports channels if that's what you're after. You'll get 12 sports channels, including NBA TV and NFL Network, and maybe that's enough for you! 

For non-sports watchers, YouTube TV doesn't have the HISTORY Channel, Lifetime, or A&E. 

Hulu + Live TV is best for families

Hulu Live offers the best entertainment bundle for the fam.
How much is Hulu + Live TV?
Plan
Monthly price
DVR storage hrs.
Channels
Details
Hulu (With Ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (With Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads)$76.99/mo.°Unlimited DVR storage85
Hulu (With Ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (No Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads)$81.99/mo.°Unlimited DVR storage85
Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (No Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads)$89.99/mo.°Unlimited DVR storage85
° Access to Disney+ and ESPN+ through our Live TV plans is not available for subscribers who are billed by T-Mobile.

What do we like about Hulu + Live TV?

  • Hulu Live comes with Disney+ and ESPN+.
  • This streaming services gives you live channels and lots of on-demand content.

Everyone in the family will love the ultimate entertainment bundle

Who wouldn’t love the live TV channels, on-demand library from Hulu, live sporting events from ESPN+, and all the Disney+ movies you’ve ever dreamed of?

And for the price of $77–$90? Pull our leg, why don'tcha. 

So enjoy The Mandalorian or a UFC fight with the family, then watch one of the great Hulu Originals afterward. 

Hulu + Live TV gives you a huge on-demand library and live channels in one service

Hulu Live has the biggest on-demand library out of all of the live TV streaming services. So this service is perfect for those who want to watch The Bachelor in real-time or binge last season. 

Other TV shows you can stream on Hulu Live include the following:

  • 9-1-1: Lone Star
  • All American
  • The Handmaid's Tale
  • Fargo
  • Homeland
  • Little Fires Everywhere
  • Modern Family
  • A Teacher
  • Below Deck
  • General Hospital
  • Saturday Night Live
  • Snowpiercer

Hulu Live's channel lineup include the following:

  • Animal Planet
  • Cartoon Network
  • CNN
  • The CW
  • Discovery Channel
  • Disney Channel
  • ESPN, ESPN2
  • Food Network
  • FOX News
  • HGTV
  • Golf Channel
  • Lifetime
  • MSNBC
  • National Geographic
  • TBS
  • Telemundo
  • TNT
  • USA

What don’t we like about Hulu + Live TV?

  • Hulu Live only lets you stream on two devices at once.
  • You can’t watch NBA TV, MLB Network, or Nickelodeon with Hulu Live.

Expect to add a fee to your monthly bill

Hulu Live allows only two users to watch live channels at the same time, so if you have a family of four, you might run into problems. 

If you'd like more than two simultaneous streams for the family, you’ll get the option to pay an extra $10 per month for unlimited streams.

Right about now, we used to bash on Hulu Live's 50-hour DVR storage. (Can you imagine?) Now, the whole family gets to enjoy unlimited DVR storage like you can with YouTube TV.

Watching NBA TV, MLB Network, and Nickelodeon won’t be happening

Hulu Live has 85+ channels, so you won't be getting all of the channels under the sun.

Here are a few popular channels you’ll be missing out on with Hulu + Live TV:

  • NBA TV
  • MLB Network
  • Nickelodeon
  • BBC America
  • Comedy Central

This list used to include PBS, PBS Kids, Hallmark Channel, and Paramount Network, but no more. Hulu Live must have listened to us *shrug*.

Sling TV is best for money savers

Get some of your favorite cable channels for $40 per month.
How much is Sling TV?
Plan
Monthly price
DVR storage hrs.
Channels
Details
Sling Orange
$40/mo.
50 hrs., saves indefinitely32
Sling Blue
$40/mo.
50 hrs., saves indefinitely40
Sling Orange + Sling Blue Services
$55/mo.
50 hrs., saves indefinitely46

What do we like about Sling TV?

  • You get live TV at a reasonable price with no extra fees.
  • Sling TV has three inexpensive packages to choose from.

Sling TV has a great price tag for 30+ popular channels

There aren’t many decent live TV streaming services out there that offer a good chunk of popular channels for $40, making it perfect for those who want to cut the cord because of that expensive cable bill.

You won’t have to give up on TV altogether. And thanks to Sling, you won’t have to break the bank or have to worry about extra fees. (Although Sling makes it possible for you to upgrade your service in à la carte fashion.)

Just try not to spend that extra money you’ll be saving on online shopping (or maybe that’s why you’re making cuts elsewhere in your life).

Which Sling TV package is best for you and the fam?

Both Sling Orange and Sling Blue are the same price, but both plans have almost a completely different channel lineup. And the Sling Orange + Blue package is basically a combination of both.

If you have kids, you’ll want Sling Orange. You’ll get Cartoon Network and Disney Channel for the little ones and ESPN and Food Network for you.

If you love news channels, get Sling Blue. You can watch FOX News and MSNBC, along with Bravo, TruTV, and USA. But if you want them all, Sling Orange + Blue is for you.

If you want to know more about the difference between Sling Orange and Sling Blue, check out our comparison piece where we break down which package has which channels.

What don’t we like about Sling TV?

  • Don’t expect all of your favorite channels.
  • Sling TV has low DVR storage.

You get what you pay for

Yes, Sling TV is cheaper, but that also means you might not get all your favorite channels.

You’ll absolutely find a lot of popular channels in Sling TV's packages (the reason it makes the low price so great), but you won’t get your ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, The CW, Nickelodeon, or Telemundo.

If you like Sling's channel lineup and also want local channels, we recommend setting up an HD antenna

As for the sports channels ... let's just say Sling tends to the less-than-average sports fan. Sling offers the following sports channels for $55:

  • ESPN
  • ESPN2
  • ESPN3
  • FS1
  • NFL Network
  • Stadium
  • TNT

Sling TV has a DVR storage of 50 hours

Sling TV includes 50 hours of DVR storage in your service, which should be expected with the price tag.

You have the choice to upgrade to a 200-hour DVR storage for an extra $5 per month to make your monthly bill $45–$60.

Oh, and just a heads up: when your DVR storage is full, and you happen to record another show, your old or already-watched recordings will erase in your library (without warning).

DIRECTV's service is best for premium channel fans

DIRECTV gives you premium channels in most of its packages.
How much is it to stream DIRECTV?
Plan
Monthly price
DVR storage hrs.
Channels
Details
ENTERTAINMENT$69.99/mo. + tax**20 hrs., saves for 90 days90+
CHOICE™$84.99/mo. + tax**20 hrs., saves for 90 days125+
ULTIMATE$114.99/mo. + tax**20 hrs., saves for 90 days160+
PREMIER$159.99/mo. + tax**20 hrs., saves for 90 days185+
** Price subj. to change for new and existing customers.

What do we like about DIRECTV?

  • Premium channels are included in all of DIRECTV's packages.
  • There are four packages to choose from for the family.
  • Satellite and internet connection options

If you like premium channels, you’ll want the CHOICE plan or above

You can order DIRECTV's packages via an internet or satellite connection. Their package prices are the same with either connection, but you'll get more channels with internet and pay more fees with satellite.

When you order ENTERTAINMENT, CHOICE, or ULTIMATE, you’ll get Max, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME®, Cinemax, STARZ, and MGM+ free for three months with DIRECTV via Internet.

If you want the premium channels for longer than three months, upgrade to PREMIER to get them in your channel lineup permanently! Yes, $160 is a lot to swallow, but these premium channels on their own are $50 per month total. 

In short, DIRECTV's packages aren't messing around. They tend to the fans of Outlander and Billions.

But wait, there's even more entertainment. With DIRECTV's streaming device, you'll be able to stream Netflix, Peacock, Max, Prime Video, and more.

Which of DIRECTV's packages is best for you?

The ENTERTAINMENT package is going to have more of your lifestyle and news channels, like Hallmark, HGTV, MSNBC, and USA.

If you upgrade to CHOICE, you’re going to get MLB Network, Nick Jr., Tennis Channel, and NBA TV.

The ULTIMATE plan will give you all of the sports channels DIRECTV's streaming service can offer, including the Golf Channel and NHL Network, along with FX Movie Channel and STARZ Encore.

And lastly, the PREMIER package will give you the most channels you can possibly get with DIRECTV, including four premium channels.

What don’t we like about DIRECTV?

  • It’s the most expensive live TV streaming service in the industry.

You’ll have to budget with DIRECTV

DIRECTV's TV service is the most expensive of the bunch, so this service might only be for those who love premium channels or want a traditional TV experience.

To put it in perspective, DIRECTV's prices average a little over $1 per channel. YouTube TV is 65 cents per channel, and fuboTV is about 46 cents per channel.

We hope DIRECTV will decide to lower its prices one day.


Recap: Which is the best live TV streaming service?

  • fuboTV: Perfect for families full of many of personalities, you can get about 50 sports channels and 200+ other channels for news, lifestyle, movies, and kids with fuboTV. It’s the best-valued live TV streaming service because you get over 180 channels for $80 per month, a big DVR storage space, and an easy-to-use interface.
  • YouTube TV: YouTube TV comes in at a close second because you get a solid channel lineup of more than 100 channels with unlimited DVR storage space. YouTube TV is not for those who absolutely need their MLB Network or Tennis and HISTORY channels, but you will get your Turner Network channels, like TNT and TBS.
  • Hulu + Live TV: Hulu Live offers a three-streaming-service bundle for one decent price. The bundle of Hulu Live, Disney+, and ESPN+ will make all members of the family happy. If you want zero ads in your on-demand content, you’ll have to tack on $13 to your monthly bill.
  • Sling TV: If you’re trying to save money but want live TV without the expensive cable or satellite TV bill, Sling is for you. Just keep in mind with that low price, you won't get everything fuboTV, YouTube TV, or Hulu + Live TV can offer you.
  • DIRECTV: Although DIRECTV's internet streaming service is the most expensive live TV streaming service in the industry at the moment, you do get premium channels included in all of its plans for at least three months. And you get four plans to choose from to best fit your family.

Chantel Buchi
Written by
Chantel Buchi
Chantel is all about finding the best tv or streaming service to watch as many football games as possible to keep her Fantasy Football team in check. Prior to being a TV and Streaming Tech Reporter for Reviews.org, she worked for NFL Network and The Alliance of American Football. Before that, she received a B.A. of Communication at the University of Utah and an M.S. in Sports Journalism at USC. Go Utes and Fight On. Contact her at chantel@reviews.org

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