Jeffrey Hazelwood/CNET
When you think of live TV streaming services, the first offerings that come to mind might be the most-subscribed-to options, such as YouTube TV and Hulu Plus Live TV. However, the streamers with extensive channel lineups are two of the priciest picks for cord-cutters. Depending on what channels are essential to you, a more affordable, entertainment-centric live TV service may be a better alternative.
When it comes to low and mid-budget live TV streaming services that cover entertainment channels, there are three similarly-priced packages you need to know about. The first is MyEntertainment, a $35-per-month streaming bundle that DirecTV launched this year. The other two are more established: there's Philo, which costs $33 per month, and Sling Blue, which runs between $46 and $51 per month. To learn more about what each service offers, here's an in-depth guide and channel comparison.
DirecTV DirecTV MyEntertainment Inexpensive option for cord-cutters with HBO Max, Hulu and Disney Plus access MyEntertainment is one of DirecTV's five Genre Packs that offer genre-specific channel lineups. The other packs are MyKids, MiEspanol, MyNews, and MySports. For $35 per month, DirecTV MyEntertainment allows you to stream channels such as Bravo, CNN and Food Network. You also get access to the ad-supported versions of HBO Max and the Disney Plus and Hulu bundle. See at DirecTV
DirecTV MyEntertainment vs. Philo vs. Sling Blue
MyEntertainment Philo Sling Blue Price $35 per month $33 per month Between $46 and $51 per month, depending on where you live Screens Unlimited in home and 3 out of home 3 3 Profiles 5 10 4 Unlimited DVR Yes Yes No, 50 hours of storage DVR-ed titles kept 9 months 1 year 9 months Free streaming services Disney Plus, Hulu, HBO Max AMC Plus, HBO Max, Discovery Plus n/a Locals No No Possibly, but depends on where you live
What channels do you get with Sling Blue, Philo and MyEntertainment?
A comparison of live TV streaming services wouldn't be complete without a detailed channel breakdown. Note: The following focuses on the channels included with your paid subscription, although you'll likely notice free channels (aka FAST channels) available as well when using the guide. This doesn't include channels you can add-on for an additional cost. Sling offers Extras, which are mini channel collections, and DirecTV has Mini Packs that you can add to base packs.
Let's start with some offerings Philo, Sling Blue and DirecTV MyEntertainment have in common. All of them supply heavy hitters A&E, AMC, BET, Comedy Central, Discovery, Food Network, HGTV, History, Investigation Discovery, Lifetime and TLC.
Philo and MyEntertainment both have Hallmark, but you won't get the channel with Sling Blue unless you pay extra for a mini channel collection called Lifestyle Extra. Bravo comes with Sling Blue and MyEntertainment, but the channel isn't in Philo's lineup.
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