Best Live TV Streaming Services: Cut Cable & Save

Ready to cut the cord and switch to live TV streaming at lower cost with no commitment? It’s never been easier to ditch cable and start streaming TV. All you need is an internet connection and a screen to watch it on, it’s really that simple. I’ve tested all the live TV services extensively since joining The Streamable in 2020. Here’s why you should make the switch to streaming:

• Less expensive
• More channels
• More flexibility
• No cable box
• Watch on your TV, computer, tablet, or phone
• No contract

In most situations, I recommend DIRECTV STREAM as the best live TV streaming platform for most people, as it offers a great channel selection, unlimited DVR, and more, while not being the most expensive option out there. Ready to get started? Put your favorite channels in our free-to-use Service Matchmaker tool and it will recommend the best choice for you. For more of my recommendations, be sure to read on!

The Best Live TV Streaming Service in 2024

After extensive testing of all the options, my choice for the best live TV streamer for new cord-cutters is DIRECTV STREAM. Get started with a 5-day FREE trial.

Why I Love DIRECTV STREAM:

• 31 of the top 35 cable channels on the least expensive plan
• All local channels
• Unlimited DVR
• 20 Simultaneous Streams
• Great User Interface
• 4K Options
• Best Regional Sports Lineup
• Generous Intro Offers

When switching from cable to a live TV streaming service, it’s important that it feels like you’re upgrading. DIRECTV STREAM offers the biggest step up. It has nearly every channel you can imagine in a slick package. Click here and you’ll be watching TV on nearly any smart device in minutes!

Live TV Services At a Glance

There are six main live TV providers available to cord-cutters: DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, Hulu Live TV, Philo, Sling TV, and YouTube TV. Each offers a unique channel lineup. Each allows you to scale up your channel package with add-ons. Here’s a look at the most important factors.

Find Your Channels

This is The Streamable’s Service Matchmaker. Simply enter the channels most important to you and our site will provide the best options for cord-cutters.

DIRECTV STREAM Closer Look

DIRECTV STREAM is great for: first-time cord-cutters, sports fans, news junkies, TV fanatics

With the best channel lineup of any streaming service and four different channel bundles, you’re sure to find almost anything you want to watch. The unlimited DVR means you always have on-demand favorites to watch.

Why to choose a different service:

The price for DIRECTV STREAM is higher than I’d like.

Device Compatibility: Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, iPhone/iPad, Android Phone/Tablet, Mac, Windows, LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, and VIZIO Smart TV

Sling TV Closer Look

Sling TV is great for: budget-minded viewers

When I need live TV, I always check to see if Sling has what I need. It offers most of what I want (sports, news, and most local channels) at a superior price. Sling starts with two main channel lineups (called “Orange” and “Blue”), but you can bundle the two together and add lots of interest-focused mini-bundles to complete your perfect lineup.

Why to choose a different service:

Sling doesn’t offer CBS. Access to NBC, FOX, and ABC depends where you live. Sling also doesn’t offer any regional sports networks. The DVR is limited to 50 hours unless you pay more to upgrade.

Device Compatibility: Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, iPhone/iPad, Android Phone/Tablet, Mac, Windows, Xbox, LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, and VIZIO Smart TV

Hulu Live TV Closer Look

Hulu Live TV is great for: families, fans of NHL and college sports

Hulu Live TV’s top-notch channel lineup and unlimited DVR make it a challenger for my top choice. And the deal gets even better since you get free Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu on-demand. Kids will love the Disney+ lineup, while ESPN+ offers more than 1,000 out-of-market NHL games and hundreds of exclusive college sporting events.

Why to choose a different service:

If you need the Bally Sports channels, you won’t find them here. The price is higher than I’d like. There’s no 4K content.

Device Compatibility: Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, iPhone/iPad, Android Phone/Tablet, Mac, Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, and VIZIO Smart TV

Fubo Closer Look

Fubo is great for: niche sports fans

Fubo bills itself as a sports fan’s best friend, but it’s missing many key channels. Still, there are some exclusive channels available for fans of soccer or other international sports. Other than DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo is your only choice for the regional sports channels of Bally Sports.

Why to choose a different service:

Fubo doesn’t have important channels like CNN, TNT, truTV, and TBS. The service has a hidden regional sports fee that makes its prices higher than what you see on its website.

Device Compatibility: Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, iPhone/iPad, Android Phone/Tablet, Mac, Windows, Xbox, LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, and VIZIO Smart TV

Philo Closer Look

Philo is great for: budget-minded TV fans

Philo is remarkably cheap because it doesn’t offer sports or local channels. Still, you get 18 of the top 35 cable channels and free AMC+.

You can even try Philo's totally free version with 80+ channels like BBC News, AMC Thrillers, America’s Test Kitchen, Game Show Central.

Why to choose a different service:

If you need local channels, sports, or news, Philo is not for you.

Device Compatibility: Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, iPhone/iPad, Android Phone/Tablet, Mac, Windows, LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, and VIZIO Smart TV

YouTube TV Closer Look

YouTube TV is great for: first-time cord-cutters

If you’re leaving cable for the first time, you might find YouTube TV a fine choice. It has many of the most important channels and an unlimited DVR. It’s simple to use and has a great mobile app. I used it for several years, but I prefer Sling and DIRECTV when I need live TV today.

Why to choose a different service:

While there’s nothing wrong with YouTube TV, almost all its competitors offer a better value. DIRECTV STREAM offers more channels and a much better regional sports lineup. Hulu Live TV gives you three great add-on services for free. Sling is far less expensive.

Unlike many competitors, you need to pay extra to watch 4K content with YouTube TV.

Device Compatibility: Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, iPhone/iPad, Android Phone/Tablet, Mac, Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, and VIZIO Smart TV

Frndly TV Closer Look

Frndly TV is great for: older viewers

Most cord-cutters would be frustrated with Frndly TV’s lineup. You won’t get sports, local, or news channels, but if you just want “comfort food TV,” you can access A&E, Hallmark Channel, History, and Lifetime. It’s mostly the kind of TV you’d see as daytime reruns.

Why to choose a different service:

I don’t recommend Frndly unless your TV viewing habits are so narrow, you don’t want the channels most people watch. For sports, news, local channels, or general entertainment, there are better options elsewhere.

Device Compatibility: Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, iPhone/iPad, Android Phone/Tablet, Mac, Windows, LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, and VIZIO Smart TV

Other Streaming Services With Live Channels

In 2024, many streaming services offer at least some live TV alongside their vast video-on-demand catalogs. While they aren’t a perfect replacement for a full TV package, they can be used to supplement your entertainment lineup, especially if you have a service like Sling or Philo that may not offer a local network affiliate.

Paramount+

The entry-level subscription for Paramount+ ($7.99) gives you NFL football on Sundays, but you can upgrade to the Paramount+ with Showtime plan ($12.99) to get 24/7 access to your live, local CBS station.

Paramount+ is most well-known for its Taylor Sheridan shows like “1883,” “1923,” “Lioness,” “Land Man,” and “Tulsa King.” The service also brings you most of the biggest hits to air on BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, and Smithsonian Channel. That Nickelodeon library makes it excellent for kids.

Upgrade to include the Showtime library and you’ll get lots of great movies and documentaries, along with mature audience shows like “Dexter: New Blood,” “Yellowjackets,” and “Billions.”

Peacock

Peacock is a subscription streaming service that gives access to a library of classic shows like “The Office,” “Parks and Recreation,” and “Law & Order.” Premium subscribers can watch their local NBC affiliate live.

Peacock provides access to Big Ten Football, Big Ten basketball, Chivas, cycling, figure skating, IMSA, French Open, golf, horse racing, Notre Dame football, IndyCar, NASCAR, snow sports, Notre Dame Hockey, Premier League, rugby, Sunday Night Football (NFL), SuperMotocross, track & field, U.S. Soccer, and WWE.

Sports Streamers

ESPN+

ESPN+ is a sports streaming service that offers thousands of live events from UFC (including PPV), Top Rank Boxing, NFL, MLB, NHL, PGA TOUR LIVE, Grand Slam tennis, College sports (including football, basketball, baseball, soccer, volleyball, gymnastics, and more from top conferences including Big 12, SEC, ACC, and The American), along with International soccer leagues and tournaments (including LaLiga, Bundesliga, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup).

The NHL package is especially impressive, since you’ll see 75 weekly national games and 1,000+ out-of-market games.

Be sure to consider Hulu Live TV if you’re interested in ESPN+, since the sports streamer is included for free.

Bally Sports+

Bally Sports+ is a sports streaming service that gives in-market access to Bally Sports RSNs. It’s important to note that not all Bally-affiliated teams allow their games to appear on this service. Still, in some markets, it can be a great way to watch your local NBA, MLB, and/or NHL team.

NFL+

Football fans will find a lot to love with NFL+. Basic subscribers get access to NFL Network, live out-of-market preseason games, live local and primetime games on mobile, “home” and “away” audio broadcasts, and NFL Films content.

Upgrade to the premium tier for access to NFL RedZone, advanced player stats with NFL Pro, and game replays: full, condensed, and all-22 coaches film game replays on any device.

MLB.TV

Follow your favorite baseball team, no matter where you live. MLB.TV offers every out-of-market game live or on-demand. Choose “home” or “away” TV and radio feeds. The app allows fans to watch up to four games simultaneously on the same screen through a Multi-view feature. MLB.TV can be added to your Sling TV or Prime Video subscription.

NBA League Pass

True basketball fans will enjoy the wall-to-wall hoops coverage of NBA League Pass. Choose a subscription to follow one team or the entire league. Enjoy “home” and “away” broadcasts, unlock multiple camera angles, and advanced statistics.

WNBA League Pass

Follow all the WNBA action with League Pass and you’ll get every out-of-market game across the league. The service includes a live game DVR and every archived game since 2015. Subscribers will see highlights and player interviews instead of commercials.

MLS Season Pass

Whether you call it soccer or football, all the stars of MLS align with Season Pass. You’ll see every match—including Leagues Cup and the entire Audi MLS Cup Playoffs—with no blackoutsMLS Season Pass also offers pre-match coverage, post-match analysis, highlights, player profiles, interviews, club content, match replays, live MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT matches, and more. The price is lower for Apple TV+ subscribers.

Max

Max offers the B/R Sports tab for live TV viewing. Subscribers can see 300+ live events, including Bellator Champions Series, NBA, NHL, MLB, and 2024 U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team and U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team matches.

If you subscribe to Fubo, Max can help patch some of the gaps in your viewing options.

Prime Video

Prime Video is primarily an on-demand service, but it does carry Thursday Night Football, WNBA, NWSL, the Seattle Kraken, the New York Yankees, Premier Boxing Champions, Overtime Elite, Professional Pickleball Association, and ONE Championship. The service will also gain NASCAR Cup Series and NBA games beginning in 2025. Users can also subscribe to out-of-market sports packages like MLB.TV and NBA League Pass through the Prime Video platform.

Apple TV+

Apple TV+ is a subscription streaming service that includes high-quality originals, shows and movies. Apple TV+ offers Friday night MLB games. You can also add MLS Season Pass at a discounted rate if you subscribe to Apple TV+.

DAZN

DAZN is a live sports streaming service that offers boxing, the Women’s National Football Conference, Esports, Champions chess tour, extreme sports, women’s soccer, AEW, MMA, motorsports, tennis, and more.

FloSports

If you want to follow niche sports or smaller college action, FloSports may fit the bill. The service covers 25+ sports, plus over 300,000 hours of sports competitions live or on-demand, exclusive behind-the-scenes coverage and interviews, original programming, news, expert commentary, films, documentaries, weekly studio shows, podcasts, and more.

NCAA March Madness Live

One of everyone’s favorite college basketball apps for the NCAA Men’s College Basketball Tournament is NCAA March Madness Live. It lets you track your brackets, follow stats, scores, highlights, and stream all March Madness games.

NFHS Network

This streamer focuses exclusively on high school sports. Subscribers can watch 27 different regular season and postseason sports from 44+ high school state athletic/activities associations. It’s especially great for high school football.

Free Live TV Streaming Services

While I always recommend paid live TV services as the best product for cord-cutters, there’s a lot of value in the many free services available. Nearly all of them offer on-demand movies and TV shows. They all offer channels - some are actually live, some are just a string of reruns. I recommend trying them all and finding one that works for you!