The Best Live TV Streaming Services for Cord Cutters in 2024

It’s never been easier to watch live TV. In 2024, we have several different live TV providers beyond cable. With live TV streaming services, you can watch TV on any internet-capable device, whether that’s a computer, mobile phone, tablet, smart TV, or streaming box. Each live TV streamer includes a cloud DVR, so you can record programs and watch whenever you want.

With a live TV streaming service, you’ll be able to watch live sports, news, weather, and entertainment. You’ll have access to every channel you’d get on cable, plus many more that are hard to find. Your only limitation is your budget!

Best of all, you don’t need to sign a contract. It’s easy to sign up for a provider, give it a try, and make another choice if you don’t like what you see. Most services offer a free trial.

Follow us and we’ll help you decide on the best service to enjoy live TV!

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.

Which Live TV Service is Best for Me?

We highly recommend taking advantage of free trials and discounts to try several live TV streamers. Each service offers something great to enjoy. You may also choose to rotate services throughout the year as your viewing needs change.

Best for Overall Sports: Hulu Live TV

Not only does Hulu Live give you all the important sports outlets like ESPN, FS1, ABC, NBC, CBS, college sports networks, and a handful of regional sports channels, you also get free access to ESPN+. This means you get a huge number of college events and more than 1,000 out-of-market NHL games. ESPN+ alone would cost $10.99 / month, so it’s an amazing freebie.

Note: Our normal recommendation for sports (DIRECTV STREAM) is fighting with Disney, meaning users have lost access to important sports channels like ABC, ESPN, and SEC Network. Until this is resolved, we recommend Hulu Live TV or Fubo for sports fans.

Best for Regional Sports: DIRECTV STREAM

With 37 regional sports channels, no one can top DIRECTV STREAM. If your favorite team plays on a Bally Sports Network, it’s your only choice beyond Fubo. You’ll have to upgrade to the DIRECTV STREAM “Choice” package ($108.99 / month) to access the regional sports, but it’s a gold mine for sports lovers.

Best for News: 4-Way Tie

DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV all carry a superior lineup of news and weather channels. You’re sure to find plenty of news on every service other than Philo.

Best on a Budget: Sling TV

Most live TV streamers offer bloated channel packages that drive up the price. If you’re looking to save money, Sling TV allows you to divvy up the channels in more ways than any other service. Choose the Sling Orange package, Sling Blue, or a combo of the two. Users can also add a wide variety of mini-bundles, whether their interest is entertainment, sports, or international content.

The discount does mean you won’t get CBS, however. NBC, ABC, and FOX are only available in some markets. If you choose Sling, you can use Paramount+ to get CBS or choose Peacock if NBC isn’t in your area. A good antenna can also come to the rescue for local channels.

Another reason for the lower price: your DVR is limited to 50 hours, but you can choose to upgrade if you like.

Best Overall Channel Lineup: DIRECTV STREAM

DIRECTV STREAM’s most basic package starts with 25 of the top 35 cable channels. If money is no object, you can pull in 247 channels.

Yes, the fight with Disney is limiting our choice at this time, but we expect it to be resolved. DIRECTV STREAM is the gold standard of live TV streaming.

Best If You Don’t Need Sports: Philo

Bloated sports contracts drive up the prices of most live TV streamers. For example, we know that ESPN costs each carrier $9.42 per month per subscriber.

Philo sidesteps this tax on TV fans by dumping all local and sports channels. You’ll have access to channel-count: Philo & [Top Cable]) of the top 35 cable channels, including lots of important entertainment channels. It’s not perfect for everyone, but we love the option to save money.

Channels

Our Service Matchmaker will make sure you’re getting the right service with all the channels you need. Each streamer has a unique weakness in its lineup because it refuses to pay a media company’s required rate.

If you want to see if a specific TV Show or movie is available on a streaming service, you can use our TV Show Finder or Movie Finder tools.

Tip: Compare Channels Across Live TV Streaming Services ►

DIRECTV STREAM Closer Look

As live TV streaming goes, DIRECTV STREAM is the gold standard. You’ll get great channels, multiple tiers of service, an unlimited DVR, and 20 simultaneous streams at home.

DIRECTV STREAM offers the full lineup of local channels, all the sports you could want, an unbeatable regional sports package, and all the top news options.

It’s a very easy and intuitive service to use. The “jump-back” ability lets you start select movies and shows from the beginning, even if you’re tuning in late. Users can add channels to their “favorites” list for faster navigation.

The picture quality is fantastic - better than most of its competitors.

4K events are available on dedicated 4K channels as they occur.

When we tested DIRECTV STREAM, we loved what we saw. It’s not the least expensive option and it is missing a handful of channels, but this is a great option, especially if you’re cutting the cord for the first time.

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

Your wallet will thank you for choosing Sling. Thanks to its smaller channel bundles, you can sidestep some of the more expensive services on our list. It has two primary packages: Sling Orange and Sling Blue. Choose either or combine them for a better lineup and a bundle discount.

We’ve used Sling extensively and we thought it was a fine choice. The user interface is clunkier than some competitors and features like fast-forward and rewind were less responsive than we’d like.

Importantly, Sling does not offer CBS. If you need that channel, Paramount+ offers it at the upgraded price of $11.99 / month. Depending on where you live, you may not receive ABC, NBC, or FOX, so be sure to update your zip code on Sling’s site to see how this affects you. You can also consult our list of Sling's coverage areas.

The DVR is limited to 50 hours unless you pay $5/month, which upgrades you to 200 hours of recording space.

You won’t find regional sports channels on Sling. If you need those, we recommend DIRECTV STREAM or Fubo.

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

Looking to get the most entertainment for one bill? Hulu Live TV is here to save the day. In addition to a great channel lineup, you also get free Hulu on-demand, Disney+, and ESPN+. It’s a ridiculous value, especially for families. ESPN+ offers more than 1,000 out-of-market NHL games and hundreds of college sporting events.

Hulu Live offers a strong overall channel lineup and a limited selection of regional sports networks. The unlimited DVR will hold your recordings up to nine months.

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

If you’re a regional sports network fan who doesn’t want to go with DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo is your only other choice to watch the Bally networks. Fubo also excels for fans of international sports on hard-to-find channels.

If you have an Apple TV, Fubo offers a customizable multivew feature so you can keep tabs on four channels at once. (This feature crashed at least once an hour when we tested it, however.)

One major negative to consider is that Fubo has gone to war with Warner Bros. Discovery, so you can’t watch CNN, TNT, truTV, or any other channel from that company.

Despite what prices you may see on Fubo’s sign-up page, your subscription price will be significantly higher, thanks to a hidden regional sports fee of at least $15/month.

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

Budget-minded TV fans will find a lot to like with Philo, but it’s not a choice for everyone. Philo gives you 18 of the top 35 cable channels, but you won’t find local channels, sports, or news networks.

Philo is aimed at a “general entertainment” audience. It may be a good choice if you mostly watch reality TV. Philo also offers a totally free version with 80+ channels like BBC News, AMC Thrillers, America’s Test Kitchen, Game Show Central.

Philo subscribers get an unlimited DVR and the ability to save recordings up to a full year. The subscription also includes access to AMC+ for free.

Philo’s price is unbeatable, and it would pair well with an antenna or other streaming services if you choose.

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

YouTube TV Closer Look

If you want a “set it and forget it” TV option, YouTube TV fits the bill. It has a strong channel lineup with 32 of the top 35 cable channels. It does everything well: sports, news, local channels, and entertainment.

We do love YouTube TV’s mobile experience. It’s a clean, easy-to-use, responsive interface.

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

If you want to watch NFL Sunday Ticket, YouTube TV makes the most sense. You can watch it through the standard YouTube platform, but the value is better when bundled with YouTube TV.

YouTube TV was our go-to live streaming service for years, but as the price climbed and the channel lineup remained stagnant, we found a better price-to-value ratio with its competitors. DIRECTV STREAM offers a better channel package for roughly the same price. Sling TV is superior if you want to save money. Hulu Live TV is about the same price as YouTube TV, but gives you three free streaming services.

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

Streamers on a budget may consider Frndly TV as an option. Unfortunately, there’s not much here that you can’t also see for free on services like Pluto TV and Tubi. Frndly TV only gives you 4 of the top 35 cable channels: A&E, Hallmark Channel, History, and Lifetime. You won’t see sports, local channels, or news. It’s mostly the kind of TV you’d see as reruns during the daytime.

We always appreciate a low-cost option, but if you’re looking for something inexpensive, you’d get more bang for your buck with Sling TV or Philo.

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 ($11.99) 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.

Live TV Services We Don’t Recommend

NOW TV

If you subscribe to Xfinity internet, you can add NOW TV for $20 / month. It only includes 11 of the top 35 cable channels, and you won’t get sports or local channels. The service only includes a 20-hour DVR. Because this service requires you to be locked into Xfinity and the channel lineup is lackluster, we cannot recommend it. Remember, you want to have flexibility when streaming.

Free Live TV Streaming Services

In addition to the premium services that include major networks and cable channels, there are many free live TV streaming services. These services are called “FAST” — Free Ad-Supported Television, and they are a nice way to supplement any paid services you may have.

Pluto TV

This service from Paramount Global provides more than 250 channels of live TV and thousands of on demand movies and TV shows. You’ll find channels dedicated to reruns of specific shows, like “Star Trek,” “Survivor,” or “Baywatch,” alongside live CBS News, Bloomberg Television, and Sky News. Pluto carries a narrow selection of live local news channels, mostly those affiliate with CBS.

Tubi

You’ll find 260+ live ad-supported channels on Tubi, including 107 local news channels and Fox Weather. Tubi also offers a great lineup of 45,000+ movies and television shows available on demand. Tubi’s ad breaks are less frequent and less repetitive than some other FAST services.

Sling Freestream

This free service offers news channels like ABC News Live, CBS News, and Scripps News. For general entertainment, you’ll see free channels with content from MTV, Comedy Central, and BET. There’s even an Elvis channel. You’ll even get Jimmy Kimmel highlights for free. You can choose to watch these channels within the paid version of Sling TV if you like.

Roku Channel

This popular free streaming service offers 300+ linear streaming channels and more than 80,000 free movies and TV shows. The live options are limited to things like LiveNOW from FOX, NBC News Now, and ABC News Live.

Plex

Check out 1200+ channels and 50,000 free on-demand titles with Plex. This includes 300 local news channels. Upgrade to Plex Pass and use an antenna and you can record live TV to your personal computer. Plex also allows you to watch and share media from your computer with friends or family. It also allows you to create a unified watchlist that launches other streaming services as needed.

Zeam

Zeam streams local news, weather, sports, and entertainment content pulled from local stations from 165 markets. Whether you’re feeling homesick or just want to see the biggest stories from communities around the U.S., Zeam is a solid option to stay connected.

NewsON

NewsON provides instant access to live and on-demand newscasts from 275+ local TV station partners in 165+ U.S. markets. Viewers can personalize their experience by setting favorite stations and watching breaking news coverage of major events and storms from multiple local stations. The service covers more than 80% of the U.S. population.

Freevee

You’ll get 400+ live free streaming channels with this Prime Video-adjacent service. It is also home to original series like “Jury Duty.”