Live TV Streaming Service Channel Comparison Review

Friendly tip: make sure you check what channel lineup is available in your area with each streaming service. Just click on the service's site, enter your zip code, and the streaming service will tell you which local channels are available to you.

We also highlight the more popular channels and the channels that are available in most areas. Try using the CTRL + F command to find your favorite channel with ease.

Alright, sports fans. This streaming service is for you if you love international, national, and niche sports.

fuboTV has all of the sports coverage for MLB, NFL, golf, college football, tennis, you name it. fuboTV also has you covered with international sports channels such as Zona Football, UniMás, and FOX Deportes. And if you're not sure about live-streaming, we made a handy guide to prepare your internet for live-streaming the big game.

And lastly, it has niche sports channels, such as Fight Network and MSG. But if you want Turner networks, like TBS and CNN, you won't find them here.

So if you can live with over 50 sports channels along with channels for the family (which sounds like a pretty solid deal), then fuboTV is for you.

Here's a rundown of channels you can get with Fubo's packages before any add-ons.

Which channels does fuboTV have?

If you want to learn more about fuboTV, check out our best streaming services for sports piece.

fuboTV made the cut because, of course, all of the sports channels it has. But this live TV streaming service is not only for sports fanatics. Your kids, spouse, roommates, and parents will all find channels they love and enjoy. And if your favorite channel isn't listed above, Fubo has the following add-on packages which you can add to any Fubo base package.

YouTube TV is one of the best live TV streaming services for multiple reasons: the channel lineup (with channels other streaming services don't have), the unlimited storage DVR that saves your recordings for nine months, bundles with NFL Sunday Ticket and NFL RedZone Network, and the monthly price.

No other live TV streaming service has an unlimited DVR storage space besides YouTube TV. We all know we don't like to be restricted when it comes to recording all of The Office or Friends shows.

The biggest bonus is the sports channels: YouTube TV is the only live-streaming service to offer NFL Sunday Ticket for the 2024 NFL season plus NBA TV and the Tennis Channel. And they've recently added eight ViacomCBS channels, like Nickelodeon and Comedy Central.

But you will be missing out on the HISTORY and MLB Network. So which channels are more important to you?

Which channels does YouTube TV have?

If a show has aired anytime in the last week or two, the on-demand version will be available for a limited time on YouTube TV. But to be safe, just record it since you'll have up to nine months to watch it. There’s no rush to finish that rom-com you’ve been waiting to watch with some good company.

And exclusively for Verizon Wireless or home internet customers with unlimited plans, you can get NFL Sunday Ticket for free.

If you want to learn more about YouTube TV, check out our full review.

If you’re already a heavy Hulu user and love their original content, like The The Great, look no further. Adding Hulu + Live TV to Hulu’s already solid original library gives it an edge over competitors like YouTube TV.

We love that Hulu Live users no longer have to pay extra for increased DVR storage. All Hulu Live subscribers can record unlimited shows, movies, live news broadcasts, and sports.

Check out the Hulu channel lineup in your area by entering your zip code.

But you won't find your major sports channels here, but you will find more ESPN channels such as Bases Loaded, Goal Line, and College Extra.

Which channels does Hulu Live have?

If you want to know more about the DVR, premium channel add-ons, and fees, check out our review.

You'll also find more info on what on-demand and original TV shows and movies you'll be getting with your service. Ya know, the content that will keep you binge-watching for hours.

Sling TV may not have the biggest channel lineup or all of your favorite channels in one package, but you will save money.

But honestly, the channel lineups for Sling's three packages aren't too bad.

Sling Orange has your ESPN, Disney Channel, and Freeform, while Sling Blue has NFL Network, Fox News, and MSNBC.

But we don't recommend Sling Orange + Sling Blue, because, for just $10 more, you can get Hulu Live. And Hulu Live has 39 more channels and unlimited DVR storage space.

Sling TV gives you only 50 hours of DVR storage, and you'll have to get at least Sling Blue if you want simultaneous streams. Sigh.

Which channels does Sling TV have?

Check out our review on Sling TV to get more details on this streaming service. Or check out our Sling Orange vs. Sling Blue review to help you decide which of the $40–$55 per month plans you should get.

DIRECTV has many popular channels in its packages, even in its most basic package— but it’s a little on the pricier side. You get more channels with DIRECTV's live-streaming service (compared to its satellite packages), but it's still fewer channels than other providers like fuboTV.

For example, the ENTERTAINMENT package (the cheapest option) is $70 per month and only has 90+ channels. 

But it’s an excellent option if you want the traditional TV feel and lots of channels. The PREMIER package will give you over 185 channels for you and the family to always find something to watch.

Also, it’s worth mentioning that DIRECTV includes some premium channels in its streaming packages as well as three-month promos. And every package below PREMIER comes with three free months of STARZ, MGM+, Cinemax, Max (formerly HBO Max), and Paramount+ with SHOWTIME®. (You'll get those included with the PREMIER package).

You’ll get STARZ channels in the ULTIMATE package and STARZ, Max, CINEMAX, and Paramount+ with SHOWTIME® channels when you upgrade to PREMIER.

Find out more about each package in our full DIRECTV review. 

Want to know which of the five TV streaming services get premium channels, and for what price? We got you.

We know you'll need to watch your Yellowjackets and Succession.

If you want extra channels that aren't in any of the packages, you can add them on for $5–$15 per month.

These add-ons are worth it if you want sports, news, and lifestyle channels in your native language. Watch soccer in Spanish, TV shows in French, and a movie in Polish.

Or add on more sports because you can't ever get enough sports.

If only one streaming TV service has your must-have channel, then your decision is already made for you. But we recommend fuboTV because it has a great variety of popular channels that everyone in the house will love.

The nice thing about live TV streaming services is they don’t require you to sign a contract.

So why not try one for a month to see how you like it? And if you don’t you have four other great live TV streaming services to pick from.