When you cut the cord and free yourself from the limitations of a monthly cable subscription, it’s easy to find yourself adrift in an unfamiliar sea of on-demand online content. Streaming sites like Netflix offer many great television shows and movies you can watch anytime, but where do you go to stream live television?
Each streaming service allows you to watch live TV in your internet browser, and many also work with phones, video game consoles, and other devices. Some are better if you like sports, some offer a dizzying array of channels, and others provide great options for budget-minded cord-cutters.
Best Overall: YouTube TV
Key Specs:
- Cost: $64.99 per month
- Number of Channels: 100+
- Add-ons: Showtime, Fox Soccer Plus, and STARZ
Why We Chose It:
YouTube TV includes all the major television networks and unlimited DVR cloud storage to record your favorite live shows.
Pros:
- Unlimited recording and storage on YouTubeTV’s own Cloud DVR
- Lots of networks included in the plan
- Easy to watch on tablets via a browser or the YouTube TV mobile app. TV requires a streaming device or smart TV
Cons:
- Can’t fast-forward through the commercials on some of the recorded content in the Cloud DVR
Overview:
YouTube TV offers all the major networks and dozens of additional cable channels, so it’s average in terms of cost and coverage. It also includes access to YouTube Originals. The service works on Android, iOS, Chromecast, Roku, Apple TV, Xbox One, compatible smart TVs, and PC (via web browser).
One of YouTube TV’s significant advantages is unlimited digital video recorder (DVR) cloud storage. This means you can record as many shows as you want and access them from any device without any extra charges. Three shows can be watched at the same time.
YouTube TV also includes access to shows like Cobra Kai, typically only available to YouTube Premium subscribers.
Best Budget: Philo
Key Specs:
- Cost: $25 per month
- Number of Channels: 70+ channels
- Add-ons: Epix and STARZ
Why We Chose It:
Philo is the best budget live TV streaming service for a standard lineup of channels, and it’s a great pick if the specific channels you’re interested in are available (though it’s not recommended for sports fans).
Pros:
- Inexpensive live television streaming service
- Three simultaneous streams
- No restrictions on ad-skipping
Cons:
- A poor choice for sports fans
- Doesn’t carry ABC, CBS, NBC, or FOX programming
- No way to filter the catalog by genres
Overview:
Philo is the most affordable multi-channel streaming service that offers live television, but it also has the fewest options and the sparsest lineup. For instance, its plan doesn’t include ESPN or Fox Sports.
If you’re looking for a cheap way to watch live television online and Philo has the channels you want, it’s a great choice. The service can stream on iOS, Android, Roku, Chrome, and PC (via web browser) and stream three different shows simultaneously.
Best for General Entertainment: Sling TV
Key Specs:
- Cost: $40 to $55 per month
- Number of Channels: 31 to 47
- Add-ons: Cloud DVR, HBO, Cinemax, Starz, Showtime, Epix, and packages for kids, news, lifestyle, NBA League, and multiple languages
Why We Chose It:
Sling TV is more affordable than many other live TV streaming services, providing major networks and sports with options to upgrade with specific packages.
Pros:
- Good selection of national networks
- Plans are customizable
- Low entry fee (including free)
- Offers 50-hour Cloud DVR (or 200 for an extra fee)
Cons:
- Little (or no) local programming
- Weak search feature
- Lacks interactive programming guide
- No offline playback
Overview:
Sling TV offers many options, so it’s a good choice for anyone who wants to tailor their experience. The Orange plan, one of the least expensive options, offers 31 channels and 50 hours of DVR storage.
This service is a good choice for anyone wanting access to sports and general entertainment channels. The optional sports package adds the NHL Network, NBA TV, and ESPNU; another optional add-on brings the NBA League Pass to the table.
Sling TV can stream on Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast, Android TV, iOS, Android, Xbox One, compatible smart TVs, and PC (via web browser). Subscribers to Sling Orange can only watch one show at a time, but Sling Blue allows up to three shows simultaneously.
Best to Replace Cable: DirecTV Stream
Key Specs:
- Cost: $74.99 per month to $154.99 per month
- Number of Channels: 75+ channels to 150+ channels
- Add-ons: HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, and STARZ
Why We Chose It:
DirecTV Stream is the best option to replace a cable subscription, offering the most live TV channels of all streaming services (but they come with a higher cost).
Pros:
- Easy to sign up
- Available with an internet connection and a smart device
- No set-top box needed
- No hidden costs
Cons:
- Few local channels
- Internet connection must be high-speed for streaming
- Not as large a channel selection as with cable or satellite TV
Overview:
If you want a direct replacement for your high-end cable or satellite television subscription, then DirecTV Stream is the only streaming service that will even come close to satisfying you.
This streaming service offers more live streaming channels than any other service, with 150+ in its premium subscription. However, the standard subscription includes fewer channels than some competitors for a higher monthly cost.
The service works on Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, Android, iOS, compatible smart TVs, and PC (via web browser), and three shows can be watched simultaneously.
Best for Exclusive CBS Shows: Paramount+
Key Specs:
- Cost: $4.99 to $9.99 per month
- Number of Channels: 4
- Add-ons: Showtime, plus a commercial-free option for $9.99 (allows content downloading for offline watching)
Why We Chose It:
Paramount+ isn’t the best choice for a variety of live TV channels, but it does provide access to exclusive CBS shows that are popular among many fans.
Pros:
- Original and classic content from CBS, BET, MTV, and more.
- Breaking news and live sports.
- New Paramount films debut on the service.
Cons:
- Ad-supported version won’t include live local CBS stations.
Overview:
Paramount+ (formerly CBS All Access) offers fewer channels than other options for watching live television online. Its live TV options include CBS, CBSN, CBS Sports HQ, and ET Live.
The main draw for Paramount+ is that it provides access to several exclusive, online-only CBS shows. For instance, you can only watch Star Trek: Discovery by signing up for Paramount+.
Paramount+ is an expansion of its previous incarnation, CBS All Access. In addition to its CBS content, Paramount+ adds exclusive streaming content from Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central, MTV, and the Smithsonian Channel. There are also hundreds of Paramount movies and many live sports, original content, and reboots.
If you’re a fan of a lot of CBS shows and streaming new Paramount movie releases sounds fun, the inexpensive price tag makes Paramount+ a great deal.
Paramount+ allows three shows to be streamed simultaneously, and it’s available via Apple TV, Chromecast, iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PS4, LG, Samsung, Vizio, Xfinity, or a computer with Chrome or Firefox web browsers.
Best for Sports Fans: FuboTV
Key Specs:
- Cost: $74.99
- Number of Channels: 150+
- Add-ons: Additional DVR storage, family share plan, and Showtime, plus packages for international sports, sports, adventure, Portuguese language, Spanish language, and cycling
Why We Chose It:
FuboTV is a great choice for sports fans. It offers college, national, and international sports and major television networks.
Pros:
- Generous selection of live sports and on-demand programming
- Robust DVR functionality
- Covers college, national, and international sports
Cons:
- No original content
Overview:
While FuboTV offers a decent selection of live television channels, the service’s real selling point is sports. While most other services offer some sports channels, FuboTV has some, like GOL TV, that you can’t find elsewhere.
If watching live sports online is your primary goal, FuboTV will probably knock it out of the park. It’s also a great choice if you want to watch Spanish or Portuguese-language sports channels. That said, it only works with VPNs, which might be a knock against it if you’re hoping to utilize one.
FuboTV can be streamed on Android, iOS, Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, Chromecast, Android TV, and PC (via web browser). Three shows can be watched simultaneously, but additional streams are available for an extra charge.
Best for Bundling: Hulu With Live TV
Key Specs:
- Cost: $68.99 per month
- Number of Channels: 85+
- Add-ons: HBO, Showtime, Starz, and Cinemax
Why We Chose It:
Hulu With Live TV offers access to a robust channel lineup, along with all of Hulu’s on-demand TV and movie content, and you can bundle it with Disney+ and ESPN+.
Pros:
- Access to Disney+ and ESPN+
- A generous selection of channels
- Hulu’s streaming service and live TV in one
Cons:
- No option for offline viewing of live content
- Limited Cloud DVR storage
Overview:
Hulu With Live TV is a great choice if you want access to Hulu’s on-demand streaming library in addition to live television. It offers more than 85 live channels, including news, sports, and entertainment options. You also get access to Disney+ and ESPN+ as part of your subscription.
Conclusion
Choosing the right live TV streaming service can be challenging, as each service has its strengths and weaknesses. Whether you want a budget-friendly option, a service with extensive DVR storage, or the best channels for sports fans, there’s likely a streaming service that fits your needs perfectly.
