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Live TV Streaming Services: FAQs

Here are answews to your frequently asked questions about live TV streaming services.

General

How much does a live TV streaming service cost?

The price of the live TV services vary and they each offer a different selection of top-ranked cable channels. For example, Sling TV is $40/month and Hulu Live TV is $76.99/month.

Service Top Cable Channels Price
AT&T NOW 24 of Top 35 $54.99+ / month
fuboTV 25 of Top 35 $91.99+ / month
Hulu Live TV 33 of Top 35 $76.99+ / month
Philo 18 of Top 35 $25+ / month
Sling TV 27 of Top 35 $40+ / month
YouTube TV 32 of Top 35 $72.99+ / month

Can I get a free trial for a live TV streaming service?

Can I use my streaming subscription to log into other TV apps and websites?

Each subscription offers the ability to log into different channel TV Everywhere apps and websites.

Read more about TV Everywhere Apps.

TV Everywhere App Access

More is better. App count may vary by plan tier.

Fubo 51 apps
DIRECTV STREAM 38 apps
YouTube TV 36 apps
Hulu Live TV 34 apps
Philo 33 apps
Sling TV 20 apps

How many people can watch my Live TV subscription at the same time?

Most services offer the ability to stream to 2-3 devices at the same time.

Concurrent Devices

More is better.

DIRECTV STREAM 20 streams
Fubo 10 streams
Philo 3 streams
Sling TV “Blue” 3 streams
YouTube TV 3 streams
Hulu Live TV 2 streams
Sling TV “Orange” 1 stream

Do live TV streaming services offer a DVR?

Every service has a Cloud DVR that lets you record streaming content and watch it on any other device at a later time.

Provider Restrictions
AT&T TV NOW 500 hours (30 days)
fuboTV 1000 hours
Hulu Live TV Unlimited
Philo Unlimited (12 months)
Sling TV 50 hours
YouTube TV Unlimited (9 months)

Do live TV streaming services stream in HD or 4K?

All the services stream in at least 720p which is HD quality. Some services, such as AT&T TV NOW and fuboTV stream at 60 fps (frames per second) which makes sports programming look smoother.

How fast does my internet speed need to be to use a live TV streaming service?

While most of the services suggest 5-10 Mbps, we recommend 20-25 Mbps if you want to minimize buffering and stalled playback.

Will I be locked in a contract?

No. Live TV streaming services are all month-to-month with no commitment. You can cancel at any time without penalty.

Channels

What channels are available on each service?

Each service offers a very different set of channels. For example, Hulu Live TV offers a total of 70 channels.

We suggest you look at our channel comparison to see which channels each service offers.

DTV STREAM Fubo Hulu Philo Sling TV YouTube
Free Trial Free Trial Sign Up Free Trial Get 50% Off Sign Up
$79.99 $91.99 $76.99 $25 $40 $40 $72.99
A&E + $29 - -
AMC - -
BET
Bravo - -
Cartoon Network - -
CNN - -
Comedy Central
Discovery -
Disney Channel - -
Disney Junior - + $6 -
E! - -
ESPN - -
Food Network
Fox News - -
Freeform - -
FX - -
FXX - - + $6
Hallmark Channel + $6 + $6
HGTV
History + $29 - -
Investigation Discovery
Lifetime + $29 - -
MSNBC - -
MTV + $6 + $6
Nickelodeon - -
Paramount Network + $6 + $6
Syfy - -
TBS - -
TLC -
TNT - -
Travel Channel + $29
truTV - - + $6
USA Network - -
VH1 + $6 + $6
WE tv - - + $6 + $6

Will I get my local channels?

AT&T TV NOW, Hulu Live TV, and YouTube TV include ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, Telemundo, and The CW in all plans (in most major markets).

fuboTV does not offer No Channels, but does offer ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, Telemundo, The CW, and Univision.

Sling TV includes ABC, Fox, and NBC in a few markets.

DTV STREAM Fubo Hulu Philo Sling TV YouTube
Free Trial Free Trial Sign Up Free Trial Get 50% Off Sign Up
$79.99 $91.99 $76.99 $25 $40 $40 $72.99
ABC - -
CBS - - -
Fox - -
NBC - -
Telemundo - - -
The CW - - -
Univision - - - -

Local channels are not available in every market. We suggest you look at our local channel comparison to see which local channels each service offers.

Will I get my local regional sports networks (RSNs)?

Almost every live TV streaming service offers regional sports networks (RSNs), however not all regional sports networks are available on each provider.

We suggest you look at our RSN comparison to see which RSN each service offers.

DTV STREAM Fubo Hulu Philo Sling TV YouTube
Free Trial Free Trial Sign Up Free Trial Get 50% Off Sign Up
$79.99 $91.99 $76.99 $25 $40 $40 $72.99
Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) + $29 - - -

Can I stream local channels while traveling?

Each provider has different restrictions on local channels while traveling.

Provider Restrictions
AT&T TV NOW Only available when in your home market.
fuboTV Locals available outside your home market (except FOX in some cities).
Hulu Live TV When traveling, you will see locals of the market you are currently in.
Sling TV Only available when in your home market.
YouTube TV When traveling, you will see locals of the market you are currently in.

Can I stream regional sports networks (RSNs) while traveling?

Each provider has different restrictions on RSNs while traveling.

Provider Restrictions
AT&T TV NOW Only available when in your home market.
fuboTV Most RSNs available outside your home market.
Hulu Live TV Most RSNs available outside your home market.
Sling TV Only available when in your home market.
YouTube TV Most RSNs available outside your home market.

Devices

Can I use my phone, tablet, computer, or streaming device to stream live TV?

Live TV streaming services work with most of your existing devices, like phones, tablets, computers, and streaming devices like Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast, and Apple TV.

DTV STREAM Fubo Hulu Philo Sling YouTube
Free Trial Free Trial Sign Up Free Trial Get 50% Off Sign Up
$79.99 $91.99 $76.99 $25 $40 $72.99
Amazon Fire TV





Apple TV





Google Chromecast
Android only
Roku
Android TV


4.4+


5.0+

iPhone/iPad
iOS 12+

iOS 13+

iOS 13+

iOS 13+

iOS 11+

iOS 12+
Android Phone/Tablet
4.4+

5.0+

5.0+

5.0+

5.0+

5.0+
Mac
Windows
PlayStation - - - -
Xbox -

-

Nintendo - - - - -
LG Smart TV
2018+

WebOS 3.5+ (some 3.0)
-
WebOS 3.0+

2016+
Samsung Smart TV
2017+

2016+

2016+

2016+

2016+
Sony Smart TV
VIZIO Smart TV
2016+

Can I get a free device like an Apple TV, Roku, or Chromecast for signing up?

Some providers offer new users a free device when you sign-up for a streaming service.

Unfortunately, there are currently no free device promotions.

What device do you suggest we use for a streaming service?

We suggest that you spend a little bit more to get a higher-quality streaming device like an Apple TV, Fire TV, or Roku Premiere+.

While these can be $20 to $30 more than a basic streaming stick, they will generally provide a more stable streaming experience.

Do I need a cable box?

One of the great benefits of a live TV streaming service is that you can use a streaming device instead of an expensive cable box.

DIRECTV STREAM Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $50 Amazon Gift Card when you sign up for DIRECTV STREAM.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.

Sling TV Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $25 Uber Eats Gift Card when you sign up for Sling TV.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.

Hulu Live TV Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $35 Amazon Gift Card when you sign up for Hulu Live TV.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.