Take note of how many screens you can watch at a time. For example, YouTube TV allows you to stream on three devices at once, while Hulu grants you two, with the option to pay extra for more screens. Look for platform offerings that fit your household's needs.
You can choose a streaming service subscription that aligns with your budget, and there are multiple services available. Prices range from $25 to over $100 per month, depending on what you want. When considering costs, review the channel selection, cloud DVR abilities, price of premium add-ons, and how many devices you can stream on simultaneously.
Live TV streaming services may offer different packages and add-ons for viewers, but you want to ensure you can watch your local channels along with cable networks and on-demand videos. Not every service provides access to local programming (like PBS, ABC or NBC), sports or channels you'd typically find on cable and satellite TV. Compare channel lineups before choosing.
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If you've been considering ways to replace cable, live TV streaming services offer a convenient method of watching cable channels without a contract. These cable replacements are streamed over the internet, but unlike on-demand services such as Netflix, they let you channel surf among the most popular live channels. For a flat monthly fee, these services offer can watch sports, news broadcasts, primetime TV shows, and we have compared all of the apps on mobile devices, streaming sticks and smart TV. Plus, as many of these services offer unlimited recordings, you can record all of your shows and watch them later.
While the live TV streaming available today is more sophisticated than ever, some services cost the same as the cable they are designed to replace. Indeed, pricing and channel availability are in a constant state of flux. After recent increases YouTube TV is now $83, DirecTV bumped its price up to $87, Fubo's basic package now costs $85 and Hulu Plus Live TV is now $83. Meanwhile, Fubo and Hulu have announced they would merge -- pending regulatory approval. But change is all part of the brave new world of live TV streaming over the internet. Here's what you need to know.
Want to save even more money? See the Best Free TV Streaming Services: Plex, Pluto TV and more.
What's the best live TV streaming service overall?
We've tested all of the popular paid live TV streaming services including Sling TV, Hulu Plus Live TV, DirecTV, Philo and Fubo. Among this competition, our top choices in this category are Hulu Plus Live TV and the budget-friendly Sling TV. At the affordable end of the spectrum, Sling's Blue package carries many basic channels for $46 a month, while Hulu's live offerings include a Disney streaming bundle for $83. Each service provides a user-friendly layout and a blend of live channels with unlimited DVRs and on-demand content. Beyond those two, all of the cancel-anytime live TV bundles we've evaluated on this list allow you to watch local and national news and live sports and events. You can stream live channels such as CNN, NBC, ESPN and Fox on a host of different devices. You can compare the services' channel lineups here.
Best live TV streaming services of 2025
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