Thinking about cutting the cord to watch the NBA playoffs or CBS dramas? Live TV streaming services provide an easy way to watch cable channels without a contract. For a flat monthly fee, subscribers can watch sports, news broadcasts and primetime TV shows. Our team has tested all the popular paid live TV streaming services including Sling TV, Hulu Plus Live TV, DirecTV, Philo and Fubo on mobile devices, streaming sticks and smart TVs. After recent price hikes — YouTube TV is now 83,Huluis90, and DirecTV is $90 — finding the best value is more important than ever.
Best Live TV Streaming Services Of 2026 Compared
The table below compares key features of the top services. For current pricing and availability, always check the official website. Sling TV offers the best budget option, while YouTube TV is our top pick overall.
| Service | Monthly Price | Total Channels | Simultaneous Streams | Cloud DVR | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV | $83 | 100+ | 3 (unlimited with 4K upgrade) | Unlimited (9 months) | Best overall cable alternative |
| Hulu Plus Live TV | $90 | 95+ | 2 (unlimited for $10 extra) | Unlimited | On-demand content + live TV |
| Sling Orange | $46 | 34+ | 1 | 50 hrs (unlimited for $5) | Budget ESPN package |
| Sling Blue | $46 | 50+ | 3 | 50 hrs (unlimited for $5) | Budget Fox/Discovery package |
| Sling Orange & Blue | $61 | 50+ | 4 | 50 hrs (unlimited for $5) | Combining both Sling packages |
| DirecTV | $90 | 90+ | Unlimited at home | Unlimited | Channel surfers, regional sports |
| Fubo | $74 | 150+ | 10 at home | Unlimited | Sports-focused (no Turner networks) |
| Philo | $25 | 70+ | 3 | Unlimited | Entertainment, reality TV (no sports/news) |
Best Cable Alternative Overall: YouTube TV
Why we like it: YouTube TV has more top channels than any competitor at this price, and it was the first service to include local PBS stations — Hulu and DirecTV followed later. Despite a $10 price hike in January 2025, YouTube TV has an excellent cloud DVR with unlimited storage and a generous nine months to watch recordings (most rivals offer only 30 days). The user interface is no-nonsense and now easier to use than ever. It is also the only service to offer surround sound on live broadcasts.
Who it’s best for: YouTube TV is the exclusive home of NFL Sunday Ticket through the 2029-2030 season, with monthly payment plans available. For cord-cutters who want the most complete channel lineup and the best DVR, YouTube TV is the top choice.
Who shouldn’t buy it: The service is on the pricier side at 83,anda10 monthly upgrade is required for limited 4K content. Top channels not available include A&E, History, Lifetime and MLB Network.
| Pros ✅ | Cons ❌ |
|---|---|
| More channels than competitors | $10 upgrade required for limited 4K content |
| Excellent on-screen interface and handy search bar | On the pricier side ($83/month) |
| Great cloud DVR (unlimited, 9 months storage) |
Best Value Budget Service: Sling TV
Why we like it: If you are looking for a cheap live TV streaming service that still offers a usable number of channels, Sling TV Blue is the best option. Sling offers two 46-per-month packages: **Sling Orange** (ESPN/Disney package) and **Sling Blue** (Fox/Discovery package). **Sling Orange & Blue** combines both for 61. For the price, the channel selection is decent, with numerous add-ons available. The optional AirTV 2 tuner lets you integrate local over-the-air channels.
Who it’s best for: Budget-conscious cord-cutters who want ESPN (Orange) or Fox/Discovery (Blue) but don’t need every local channel.
| Pros ✅ | Cons ❌ |
|---|---|
| Excellent value with decent channel selection ($46) | No local channels beyond ABC, NBC and Fox in a few cities |
| Numerous choices and add-ons | Limited DVR (50 hrs, $5 for unlimited) |
| Optional AirTV 2 tuner for local channels | AirTV channels don’t work on browsers |
Best For On-Demand + Live TV: Hulu Plus Live TV
Who it’s best for: Viewers who want both live TV and access to Hulu’s massive on-demand library. The interface is friendly with plenty of options for content discovery.
Who shouldn’t buy it: YouTube TV’s channel selection is better, and recording a show while watching live requires exiting to the guide. Top channels not available include AMC, BBC America and NBA TV.
| Pros ✅ | Cons ❌ |
|---|---|
| Unlimited DVR | Price hike ($90/month) |
| Inclusion of Disney Plus and Hulu on-demand content | YouTube TV’s channel selection is better |
| Solid channel roster |
Best For Sports (With RSNs): DirecTV
Who it’s best for: Sports fans who need regional sports networks and channel surfers who miss the cable experience of flipping through channels.
Who shouldn’t buy it: The service is expensive for what it offers, and there are not as many non-sports channels as competitors. Top channels missing in the base package include MLB Network, NFL Network and Travel Channel.
| Pros ✅ | Cons ❌ |
|---|---|
| Good for channel surfers (swipe to change channels on Apple TV) | Expensive (90base,115 for RSNs) |
| Offers most regional sports networks on higher tier | Not as many non-sports channels as competitors |
| Unlimited DVR for all users |
Other Live TV Streaming Services We Tested
Philo ($25/month): This service offers bread-and-butter cable staples such as AMC, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and Magnolia Network, specializing in lifestyle and reality programming. It includes an unlimited cloud DVR. However, it lacks sports channels, local stations and big-name news networks. Most people are better off paying extra for Sling TV’s superior service.
Fubo ($74/month): Fubo offers a wide selection of channels, and its sports focus makes it attractive to football fans. For NFL, it is one of three services (alongside YouTube TV and Hulu) with NFL Network and optional RedZone. The biggest hole is the lack of Turner networks, including CNN, TNT and TBS — especially since TNT and TBS carry a lot of sports content. (Note: Fubo and Hulu have announced a merger pending regulatory approval.)
How To Choose The Right Live TV Streaming Service
When comparing live TV streaming services, consider these key factors:
Channels: Start by identifying your “must-have” channels. Some of the most important live channels are local — ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC. Not every service offers all of them in every area.
Cloud DVR: Most premium services offer unlimited DVR, but storage time varies. YouTube TV keeps recordings for 9 months; most rivals offer only 30 days. Sling’s free DVR is limited to 50 hours.
Simultaneous Streams: Sling Orange allows only one stream at a time. Most other services allow 3-10 streams. DirecTV offers unlimited streams at home.
Sports Coverage: For regional sports networks (RSNs), DirecTV’s $115 Choice package is the best option. For NFL Sunday Ticket, YouTube TV is the exclusive home.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best live TV streaming service overall?
YouTube TV is our top pick overall. It has the best channel lineup, an excellent unlimited DVR that stores recordings for 9 months, and a user-friendly interface. At $83 per month, it is more expensive than Sling but offers far more channels and features.
What is the cheapest live TV streaming service?
Which live TV streaming service is best for sports?
For regional sports networks (RSNs), DirecTV’s $115 Choice package is the best option. For NFL Sunday Ticket, YouTube TV is the exclusive home. For general sports (ESPN, Fox Sports, NFL Network), both YouTube TV and Hulu Plus Live TV offer solid coverage, though Fubo also has a strong sports focus (but lacks TNT and TBS).
What is the difference between Sling Orange and Sling Blue?
Sling Orange is the ESPN/Disney package (ESPN, Disney Channel, Freeform) but allows only 1 simultaneous stream. Sling Blue is the Fox/Discovery package (Fox, NBC, Discovery, Bravo, FX) and allows 3 simultaneous streams. Sling Orange & Blue combines both for $61 with 4 simultaneous streams.
