Search results
Apr 30, 2024 · The list of streaming platforms and new programming continues to grow, and the good news is the latest of the former is free! The Network, an ad-supported premium streaming platform, officially...
- Hulu. Best for a Mix of Live and On-Demand Content. 4.0 Excellent. Hulu is one of the best all-in-one services for cord cutters, given its diverse set of streaming options.
- YouTube TV. Best for Replacing Cable. 4.0 Excellent. YouTube TV offers an excellent selection of live sports and news channels, as well as many popular entertainment options.
- Fubo. Best for Sports Fanatics. 4.0 Excellent. Fubo is a great option for cord-cutting sports fans. Its base subscription plan, called Fubo Starter, costs $74.99 per month and grants you access to about 150 channels, with the exact number depending on your location.
- Philo. Best for Entertainment and Lifestyle Channels. 3.5 Good. Most live TV subscriptions cost much more than the typical streaming video service, but at $25 per month, Philo is a far more appealing investment.
May 22, 2024 · I tested the best live TV streaming services that let you watch your favorite shows, news, and sports in real time. Here's how to choose between Sling TV, Hulu Plus Live TV, YouTubeTV, and...
- Alison Denisco Rayome
Apr 10, 2024 · But the best live TV streaming services offer a good balance of affordability with an expansive selection of content, plus content you’ll actually want to watch. And, in most cases, you can...
- Christine Persaud
- Which Is The Best Streaming TV Service to Watch Live TV?
- Ranking Each Service For Cord Cutters
- Ranking Each Service For Sports
- Ranking Each Service For Budget Cord Cutters
- Plans & Prices
- Channels
- Streaming Experience
- Features
- Cloud Dvr
- On Demand
After testing the six live TV streaming services for thousands of hours, we found that each service is great for different reasons. Most of the streaming TV services interfaces are well designed, they nearly all offer a DVR and shows on demand, and have minimal buffering with a good internet connection. Depending on if you want locals (ABC, CBS, FO...
1. Hulu Live TV
If you just want one plan to satisfy your cord-cutting needs, Hulu Live TV is a fantastic choice. In addition to a wide channel lineup, you get free Hulu on demand, Disney+, and ESPN+. This assures you’ll have plenty of entertainment for all members of the family, including sports fans, kids, and grown-ups.
2. DIRECTV STREAM
This service features the best channel lineup of any service, which makes it a very easy transition if you’re coming straight from cable. It has more regional sports networks than any other live TV streaming service, making this a great choice if you like to watch basketball, hockey, or baseball.
3. Sling TV
The best budget option for cord-cutters, you can customize your channel lineup to save money. We love this service because of its flexibility and unbeatable live TV prices. The DVR is more limited than most services unless you choose to pay extra. You won’t get CBS on this service, and availability for FOX, ABC, and NBC varies, depending on where you live.
1. Fubo
Only two live TV streaming services carry Bally Sports networks, and Fubo is the less expensive option. You also get access to lots of smaller sports channels, like international sports options. A lack of TNT and TBS may be a dealbreaker for some sports fans, however.
2. DIRECTV STREAM
No service offers more channels than DIRECTV STREAM, which makes this a great choice for sports fans. You can get almost any sports channel you need, from Bally Sports networks to ESPN, TNT, TBS, and much more.
3. Hulu Live TV
A lack of Bally Sports networks hurts Hulu here, but the addition of free ESPN+ means you’ll get a ton of hockey and other sports events. Hulu Live TV does just about everything well, so it’s a good all-around service. There are just better options for sports.
1. Sling TV
If you want a lot of important channels without breaking the bank, our research shows your best choice is Sling TV. You can start streaming for as little as $40 / month, and it’s easy to scale up to add more channels. Sports tend to drive up the cost of live TV streaming, so Sling solves this by allowing you to tailor your plan without a bulky sports lineup. But unlike Philo, you can still stream a ton of sports if you’d like. Sling offers nearly every channel you could want, giving you lots...
2. Philo
Philo offers the best price of any live TV streamer, but its limited channel lineup is a dealbreaker in most cases. You won’t get local network affiliates and you won’t get sports. Philo does offer 18 of the 35 top cable channels. If you like the Philo channel lineup, it’s an unbeatable deal.
3. Hulu Live TV
On its face, Hulu Live TV’s price seems in line with the more expensive TV providers. But there’s a major hidden value. Every Hulu Live TV subscriber gets free Hulu on demand, Disney+, and ESPN+. You could make a case that this would be the only streaming subscription you need, since it covers both live and on-demand entertainment with a huge number of sports.
You can try DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, Philo, and YouTube TV each with up to a 7 day free trial depending on the service. Hulu Live TV no longer offers a free trial, but now includes The Disney Bundle as part of your subscription. Sling TV also no longer offers a free trial, but frequently offers a discounted first month. Pricing for service range from ...
Our Service Matchmakerwill make sure you’re getting the right service with all the channels you need. The Philo ($25) base plan is the cheapest option to get a wide variety of high quality entertainment content. While it doesn’t come with locals or sports channels, you will get access to A&E, AMC, BET, Comedy Central, Discovery, Hallmark Channel, H...
All of the services have similar video quality. Hulu Live TV, Fubo, and YouTube TVhave the most reliable connections.
Almost every service lets you stream content to at least 2 devices at the same time. “Sling Orange” is the one exception; it only lets you stream on 1 device. Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, and DIRECTV STREAMare the only services with parental controls.
Every service offers a cloud DVR, which lets you record streaming content to watch at a later time. Each has slightly different restrictions on what can be recorded and when the recording will start. For instance, some will let you record from the beginning of the episode even when you tune in after it starts. Others will let you watch while the ep...
All of the services offer video on demand (VOD), but require you to watch commercials (usually 5 minutes per half hour) during playback. Hulu Live TV, Fubo, and YouTube TVmake it the easiest to search for and watch on demand content. They have great show detail pages, which bundle the live, upcoming, and on demand episodes in one place. Sling TV ha...
Feb 5, 2024 · Updated Feb 5, 2024. Looking to cut the cable for good? Grab one of these Live TV streaming services and you'll be well on your way. Jason Fitzpatrick / How-To Geek. Read update. We've reviewed our recommendations and are confident these are still the best live TV streaming services available.
People also ask
Are live TV streaming services a good idea?
Which live TV streaming service is best?
Are live TV streaming services free?
Do you need a cable or satellite subscription to watch live TV?
1 day ago · Best Picks. By Kelly Woo, Malcolm McMillan. last updated 5 June 2024. The top cable TV alternatives services based on our testing and reviews. (Image credit: Future) Give me the best live TV...
