For many individuals contemplating the switch from cable or satellite TV, a significant concern is whether they can continue enjoying live television. While cutting the cord can reduce monthly expenses, the desire to watch live events such as news broadcasts and sports remains strong, reminiscent of traditional viewing habits.

Fortunately, going cable-free doesn’t mean sacrificing live TV entirely. A variety of streaming services now offer live broadcasts of coveted sports events and news over the internet. These platforms, known as live TV streaming services, stand apart from subscription-based streaming options like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ by providing access to live local and national channels. Options such as Sling TV and DIRECTV offer comprehensive packages that allow users to sever the ties with traditional cable while still enjoying live TV, albeit for a subscription fee.

If you’re looking to cut the cable cord while keeping live TV in your lineup, here’s what you need to know about the top alternatives. We explore some of the best live TV streaming services currently available and compare their offerings.

Best Live TV Streaming Service Overall: DIRECTV

• Number of channels: 90+
• Top channels: Live local ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox; regional sports networks, ESPN
• Simultaneous streams: Unlimited on the same Wi-fi network, 3 on the go

What sets DIRECTV apart from other live TV streaming services is that channel selection mimics the kind of selection you’d get from a traditional cable subscription with cable boxes and all of that, which is fitting, since DIRECTV is known for satellite cable.

In addition to including all your local news channels, like affiliates of NBC, CBS, and Fox, you’ll also get local sports channels based on the market you’re located in.

DIRECTV currently offers four base plans: Entertainment ($49.99/month $89.99/month), Choice ($59.99/month $94.99/month), Ultimate ($84.99/month $124.99/month) , and Premier ($124.99/month $169.99/month)

We’ve found that this service has the most well-rounded selection of local channels in a base plan and the most variety, especially with the newly-released Genre Packs with the Choice plan

• MySports ($59.99/month $69.99/month) – 25+ channels, including everything you’ll need to tune into your favorite sporting events
• MyEntertainment ($29.99/month $34.99/month) – 40+ channels and the Disney+ and Hulu basic bundle
• MyNews ($39.99/month) – 10+ channels with news coverage from across the political spectrum
• MiEspañol ($29.99/month $34.99/month) – 50+ Spanish-language networks
• MyKids ($19.99/month) – 10+ kid-friendly channels, plus Disney+

Once you’ve chosen a Genre Pack, you can add on additional packs and services.

Best Budget Live TV Streaming Service: Philo

• Number of channels: 70+
• Top channels: MTV, Paramount Network, AMC, Hallmark Channel
• Simultaneous streams: Up to three at once

Philo, which is the cheapest live TV streaming service, is perfect for those who love lifestyle content. The service includes over 70 channels in their base plan, which costs just $33.00/month.

There are no live news channels or local channels save for BBC News on Philo, so if that’s where your interests really lie, Philo might not be the best live TV streaming service for you. But if you can’t get enough House Hunters, 90 Day Fiancé, and Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, this is the best live TV streaming service for you. The channel lineup is primarily focused on lifestyle, with networks like Hallmark Channel, HGTV, Great American Family, MTV, TLC, Discovery, and more, all included in the $28.00/month price tag.

Our review: “Philo is a true hidden gem in the wild world of over-the-top streamers. An affordable alternative to YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV, Philo offers 70+ channels and unlimited DVR space for only $28/month. The service doesn’t include local network channels, but it does offer a host of popular cable options like A&E, AMC, AMC+, Comedy Central, BET, Hallmark Channel, and Paramount Network. Wanna give it a go? Philo offers a seven-day free trial for new subscribers.” — Josh Sorokach

Best Live TV Streaming Service for Flexible Plans: Sling TV

• Number of channels: 35+
• Top channels: Live local ABC, NBC, Fox; ESPN; Fox news
• Simultaneous streams: Up to 4 (but Orange plan only allows 1)

If customizing your channel offerings is important to you, you can’t go wrong with Sling TV. The service has two base plans, Blue and Orange — each offers different channels, starting at $45.99/month. You can also combine the two, starting at $69.99/month without any offers. The base plans only have up to 46 channels, and the rest (including channels that other services have inside of their base plans) have to be added on.

Sling TV also has a unique offering with its Orange plan. You can subscribe to day (just $1/day through the end of Nov.), weekend ($9.99), and week-long ($14.99) pass to gain access to channels like ESPN, TNT, and more for one, three, or seven days with no recurring charges.

Best Bundle Live TV Streaming Service: Hulu + Live TV

• Number of channels: 95+
• Top channels: Live local ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox; ESPN; FS1; FX
• Simultaneous streams: Up to two at once

Not only will Hulu + Live TV stream all your live TV, but it also comes with three great streaming services as a bonus. A subscription will get you access to Hulu, Disney+, ESPN Select, and over 90 live TV channels. We’ve found that Hulu + Live TV has the most inclusive and well-rounded selection of channels included with a base subscription — unlike some of the other services, which only offer some fairly common channels in add-on packages, the only add-ons Hulu + Live TV offers (aside from premium channels like Max, Starz, and Showtime) are for more specialized channels. You can stream on two screens at a time and all subscriptions now come with unlimited cloud DVR storage. 

Hulu + Live TV costs $89.99/month (with ad-supported Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN Select) or $99.99/month if you want to upgrade to ad-free versions of Hulu and Disney+ (ESPN Select will still be ad-supported).

Best Live TV Streaming Service for Sports: Fubo

• Number of channels: 214+
• Top channels: Live local ABC, CBS, Fox; regional sports networks, ESPN
• Simultaneous streams: Up to 10

What makes Fubo the best streaming service for live sports is the wide array of live sports channels included in the 180+ channel base plan. From local sports channels and ESPN to international channels like Bein and niche sports networks, if you want to watch a sporting event, odds are, Fubo has it — even your regional sports networks, if you subscribe to the Pro plan or higher.

Fubo TV has three base plans starting at $84.99/month, plus a cheaper plan that just gives you access to Sports and News networks for $55.99/month.

They also have a few add-on packages priced monthly, but upgrading past the base plan will give you those channels included at a discount. You can also add premium channels and add-ons like Starz, NBA League Pass, Paramount+ Premium, and MGM+.

Other Streaming Services With Specific Live TV Options:

• Paramount+: Paramount+ with Showtime ($2.99/month $12.99/month) subscribers can watch their local CBS channel live 24/7, in addition to a handful of sporting events like NFL on CBS, The Masters, March Madness games, and more.
• Peacock: If you subscribe to Peacock Premium Plus ($16.99/month), you’ll be able to watch your local NBC affiliate live. Any live sports on Peacock are open to both subscription tiers to stream.
• ESPN Select: Get your sports fix with live NHL, MLB, NFL, golf tournaments, UFC and more with ESPN+ for $12.99/month.
• Max: With Max’s Bleacher Report Sports add-on (included with $16.99/month base plan), you’ll be able to stream NBA, NFL, NCAA, and other sports and leagues that air on TNT and TBS. The linear HBO cable networks are also always live on Max.

Why Trust Decider Shopping

This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Decider, the New York Post, and Page Six. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, how to watch your favorite sports teams and movies on each streaming service and the very best in tech, like soundbars, to enhance your viewing experience. Not only does Angela test and compare the services, devices and merch she writes about, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech and pop culture. Prior to joining Decider and the New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews. 

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