Which Streaming Services Have The Least Channels In Common

Live TV streaming services offer a very similar experience to cable TV without the years-long contracts and astronomical cost tags. They usually achieve this past providing a more tailored selection of networks that cater to specific tastes, rather than a cable package's 700+ channels full of content y'all'll never lookout man.

Read our guide to the all-time alive TV streaming services to find the one that best fits your content needs.

Tabular array of Contents

YouTube TV – Best Cable Substitute
Sling TV – Best Value for a Basic Channel Package
Hulu Idiot box – Best Live Tv set and Streaming Bundle
Philo – Best Budget Service
fuboTV – Best for Sports Fans
Frndly TV – Most Affordable Family and Educational Content

Our Top Picks for Live Tv Streaming Services

Competitive pricing
Has many popular networks, including local stations like PBS
Unlimited cloud DVR storage space

Lack of regional sports network multifariousness
Currently no option to watch offline

HIGHLIGHTS

                          Complimentary Trial              7 days                                      No. of Channels              85+                                      Price per Month              $64.99                      

Why we chose this visitor: YouTube TV'due south inclusion of the well-nigh popular cable channels at a reasonable toll make it our pick for best cable substitute.

What makes YouTube TV stand out from many of its competitors is its well-rounded channel and content catalog. Whereas other live TV streaming services may focus on providing the most affordable subscriptions or the all-time sports packages, YouTube TV strikes a skilful remainder betwixt its overall cost and bachelor features.

Though it may non have all of the sports channels, YouTube TV includes networks that circulate the "large three" sports league games (NBA, MLB, NFL). Like with many of its competitors, sports fans who want more tin can sign up for private league streaming packages such as the NBA League Laissez passer and the NFL Game Pass.

YouTube Goggle box also offers one of the largest number of channels, 2nd only to fuboTV on this list (and $15 cheaper.) The service even includes PBS in its lineup, making it unique amongst its competitors on this list.

The service's cloud DVR characteristic is notable for having unlimited storage space for each of the 10 allowed profiles on an account. This means that every fellow member of the household can have their ain library of saved content.

Overall, YouTube Tv offers the best value for cord cutters who want a comprehensive set of options, emulating the cable feel without bloating your subscription pecker with channels and content yous will likely never lookout man.

Proficient option of channels at an affordable cost
All add together-ons, including more sports content, can be bundled for $21 ($46 total price)
Special offers include OTA antennas or Chromecast devices for offset-time subscribers

Basic channel selection comparatively minor
No local or national over-the-air channels offered
DVR space limited to 200 hours fifty-fifty with add-ons

HIGHLIGHTS

                          Free Trial              iii days                                      No. of Channels              50+                                      Price per Month              Orangish and Blue tiers: $35 / Combined tiers: $50                      

Why nosotros chose this company: Sling TV'south offering of over 50 pop channels plus access to sports content for under $50 makes it the best value for a basic aqueduct package.

Sling TV is a live Tv streaming service that offers over 50 channels for $50/mo through their cadre subscriptions. Sling has three core packages: Orange, Bluish and Orange & Blue. The two private packages toll $35/mo, and they focus on NBA and family programming or amusement and news content, respectively.

The Orange & Blue bundle combines both channel offerings for $50/mo. While the basic packages only offer access to football games streamed on channels such as ESPN and Play tricks Sports, Sling also offers a "Sports Extra" add-on for $11/mo. This add-on includes channels such equally NBA Television set, NHL Network and MLB network, for additional sports coverage.

Although Sling doesn't offer local channels or affiliates of national networks such equally ABC or CBS, it does offering packages that include a free over-the-air antenna that can selection them up. Sling even currently offers a Chromecast streaming device with the purchase of any 1 of its subscriptions, which tin can be especially useful for anyone without a smart Telly.

Includes ESPN+ and Disney+ access
Sports add-ons available
Mix of live and on-demand content

Limited to two simultaneous streams without add-ons
Improver required for additional cloud DVR space
Large number of add-ons with no option to bundle them all

HIGHLIGHTS

                          Complimentary Trial              Varies throughout the year                                      No. of Channels              75+                                      Cost per month              $69.99                      

Why we chose this company: The combination of Disney+ and ESPN+ admission with a large number of channels at competitive prices makes Hulu'south live TV subscription bundle our choice for the best alive TV and streaming bundle

Hulu is probably best known for offering on-demand streams of live TV content shortly after it airs and its hit original shows such as "The Handmaid's Tale" and "Only Murders in the Building." Withal, Hulu + Live Television offers exactly what it says in its proper name. Y'all tin can choose to watch episodes from in-season shows later they air or melody in live to watch shows every bit they air, including sports events and late-night shows.

Hulu'south live Telly subscription also includes access to ESPN+ — a curated selection of alive sports content and original programming — and Disney+ — one of the about popular streaming services around. This makes information technology a solid pick for sports fans and families alike, given the massive catalog of content that both services offer.

While you can technically subscribe to Hulu + Live TV as a standalone service, the price deviation is merely $1 ($68.99 standalone vs $69.99 for the bundle), which makes getting the parcel a no-brainer.

Hulu's alive TV streaming service includes national and local channels such as ABC, NBC and FOX, which tend to get left out of some competing live Telly streaming services.

Hulu's major drawbacks are its DVR and simultaneous streams features, which are non equally expert as other services. The bundle only allows for up to ii simultaneous streams and 50 hours of cloud DVR storage. Unlimited streams and 200 hours of storage are available, simply they cost $9.99/month each, significantly driving up the price of the service.

Pick of over 60 channels for $25/mo
Unlimited cloud DVR included
Up to 3 simultaneous streams and ten profiles per account

No local channels included
Very express sports content

HIGHLIGHTS

                          Complimentary trial              seven days                                      No. of channels              threescore+                                      Price per month              $25, add together-on channels for $3/$half-dozen/$9 per bundle ($18 total)                      

Why we chose this company: A combination of alive and on-demand content for only $25/mo makes Philo our choice for best budget alive TV streaming service.

Philo is a alive TV streaming service that offers a selection of some of the most popular cable channels for a low monthly toll. Channels such every bit the Nutrient Network, TLC, Nickelodeon and the Discovery Channel are all office of Philo'due south offer for just $25/mo.

Philo stands out for its single-tier subscription, which includes unlimited cloud DVR recordings that can stay on your account for up to 12 months. You also get access to 3 simultaneous streams and upwardly to 10 profiles per account. This makes it a great choice for large families or account sharing.

On-demand movie channels such as Epix and Starz are offered as add-on packages for $6 and $9 per calendar month, respectively. Unfortunately, national and local channels such equally ABC, NBC, CBS and Play a joke on are non included, but they can be picked up through an over-the-air antenna (purchased separately).

Includes all major sports networks at its highest subscription tier
1,000 hours of DVR and 10 simultaneous streams included
One of the largest selections, with over 130 channels

Local sports broadcasts still field of study to coma rules
Defended sports subscriptions like NFL Game Pass non included

HIGHLIGHTS

                          Free trial              iii days                                      No. of channels              100+                                      Toll per month              $32.99 - $79.99                      

Why we chose this company: The inclusion of channels such as Fox Sports, ESPN, NBA Television, MLB Network and NFL Network, equally well every bit several addition options for fifty-fifty more sports content, makes fuboTV our pick for the best live Telly streaming service for sports fans.

With over 130 channels, including all major sports networks and national networks such every bit ABC, CBS and FOX, fuboTV is a cracking cord-cutting culling for sports fans. At its most expensive, fuboTV is just $79.99/mo, which is still a better deal than about traditional cable packages with similar content offerings.

The well-nigh affordable package costs simply $33 per calendar month, but is mainly aimed at Spanish-speaking audiences. It includes a number of Spanish linguistic communication sports channels and a handful of Spanish counterparts to familiar channels such as National Geographic and the Discovery Channel.

The Elite subscription tier includes all the major sports league channels such as NBA Tv, NFL Network and MLB network. It also includes channels focusing on the NHL, golf circuits and many popular soccer leagues.

Cloud DVR is included, assuasive you lot to tape up to 1,000 hours of content. You are also immune to stream from up to 10 screens at a time, which may seem excessive, but tin can be useful for streaming games on multiple screens and devices throughout the business firm. Very handy if you don't want to miss a moment while doing chores.

Unfortunately, like any other live Television set streaming service, access to every game of every sports season is not included with fuboTV. If y'all want to watch preseason, off-flavor or games broadcast past sports channels with exclusive rights to the local teams, you frequently yet have to pay actress. Typically, this involves subscribing to regional sports networks (ofttimes included in standard cable packages) or league-specific subscription services such as the NBA League Pass or the NFL Game Pass.

fuboTV does permit you to integrate these subscriptions to your account, simply they are not considered part of the package and must be purchased separately.

Depression-cost alternative full of popular daytime TV content
Admission to Curiosity Stream, typically a divide subscription service
Unlimited DVR recording

Very express channel selection (only over 30)
No admission to news or sports content

HIGHLIGHTS

                          Gratis trial              7 days                                      No. of channels              30+                                      Price per month              $6.99 - $10.99                      

Why we chose this visitor: Low prices and the focus on networks such as the Authentication Aqueduct and the History Aqueduct brand Frndly Television set our option for most affordable family and educational content.

True to its proper name, Frndly TV's channel offering focuses on family-friendly content from the Hallmark Channel, BabyFirst TV and Lifetime, to name a few. These channels full of popular daytime Boob tube content are particularly good for families with stay-at-dwelling house parents.

In improver to the ever-popular Authentication Channel and the like, Frndly includes channels that offering educational content such every bit Vice TV — which has produced acclaimed documentaries — and Curiosity Stream, which features original content on any number of topics from history to literary reviews and much more than.

Despite its fairly limited channel offering — around 32 channels full — what makes Frndly a solid live Television receiver streaming pick is its low cost. For as little equally $6.99 per month, you get access to all of Frndly'due south channels with no hidden fees or strings fastened. The but wrinkle is that the basic tier only allows for a single stream at a time, in standard definition.

Its highest subscription tier of $x.99/mo upgrades y'all to four simultaneous streams, unlimited recording and the power to keep those recordings for up to 9 months. When paired with an over-the-air antenna to pick up local stations for news coverage, NFL games and such, Frdnly TV is an affordable cable alternative with content for the whole family.

Other live streaming services nosotros considered

What follows is a list of other services that were considered for a top spot, but ultimately didn't make the cut for a number of reasons. Some of these aren't exactly live Television set streaming services, while others simply don't offer every bit skillful a value as our peak picks.

ESPN+

Adept value for casual sports fans
Able to stream some alive games and on-demand bonus content

Doesn't offer access to much of ESPN'south regular programming
No access to non-sports content

Costless Trial - None
No. of channels - n/a

ESPN+ gives you access to original content not typically institute on the network's chief channels such as ESPN and ESPN2, likewise as select live sporting events non circulate on mainstream channels.

For $half-dozen.99 per month, having access to almost all of ESPN'south original content (similar the acclaimed "xxx for 30" documentary series) is a pretty skillful deal for sports fans who enjoy watching more than than only live sporting events.

While not strictly a live Goggle box streaming service, ESPN+ is a good option for casual sports fans who aren't invested in post-obit every game of a specific league's calendar. The mix of live sports broadcasts (of many mainstream and niche sports) and on-demand content makes it a adept value overall.

Pluto TV and Xumo

Hundreds of channels for gratis
Access to some local networks

Few to no "mainstream" channels bachelor

Complimentary trial - n/a
No. of channels - Over 200 each

Pluto TV and Xumo are live TV streaming services that stand up out for beingness completely free to apply. They don't ask for any credit card information and you don't fifty-fifty need to create an account, merely open the app or visit the website and yous're set to get.

As you might expect from something that's completely complimentary, these services lack many popular channels institute in paid competitor packages. The list of "missing" channels varies per service. Channels such as MTV and Nick Jr. are available on Pluto Television, but non Xumo, for example.

Both services also include express versions of certain staple channels such as FOX, FOX Sports, CNN, CBS and others. These channels typically don't offering live broadcasts. Instead, they air curated and pre-recorded clips.

They also characteristic hundreds of mostly independent channels that offering a diverseness of characteristic films and programs not found on "traditional" channels. This makes them a good option for channel surfing, every bit you're always likely to observe something that might take hold of your eye.

Peacock

Gratis subscription available
Access to some alive sports
Huge library includes older, difficult-to-detect Boob tube shows and original content

Merely offers NBC-affiliated content
Offline streaming only available for some titles at the highest subscription tier

Costless trial - Free subscription tier
No. of channels - n/a

Peacock is NBC's entry into the content streaming loonshit, featuring access to the network's usual news and sports coverage, equally well as on-demand streams of its TV and original shows. Notably for a streaming service from a major network, Peacock offers a free subscription tier which gives y'all access to much of its content, with the exceptions of live sporting events and original shows like .

The service'southward almost expensive subscription tier is $9.99 per month, which but provides the benefit of watching virtually shows ad-free and the ability to stream some of them offline. If this isn't a big draw for you, $4.99/mo is a very reasonable cost for a large content library and access to live sporting events like the NFL on "Sunday Night Football.

DirecTV Stream

Offers sports access on many subscription tiers
Some bundles include HBO Max, Starting time and other streaming services

Most affordable packet is more expensive than many competitors
Getting all features is essentially like paying for a cable package

Free trial - None
# of channels - 140+

DirecTV Stream is the well-known satellite TV company'due south alive streaming service. The service includes every channel commonly establish in cable packages, including local stations that circulate news and alive sporting events. Regional sports networks with sectional broadcasts of local team games are oft included in DirecTV Stream packages likewise.

Some bundles fifty-fifty include popular on-need streaming services such as HBO Max, Showtime and Starz. Unfortunately, DirecTV'southward master drawback is its price. The virtually affordable subscription tier starts at $69.99 per calendar month, which is comparable to Hulu + Live Tv set and includes access to fewer channels.

Its most expensive tier is $149.99 monthly, which is comparable to a cable TV packet, and nonetheless leaves out a scattering of channels, peculiarly Spanish linguistic communication content and international channels.

Alive Telly Streaming Services Guide

How to pick the live Goggle box streaming service that's all-time for you

While live Television set streaming services are not as big a delivery as a traditional cablevision package, you lot want to brand sure you settle on the right i so you don't waste your money.

Here are some basic points to consider when shopping around for the best live Tv set streaming service for you.

Identify what channels you want

The first step to finding a live TV streaming service that works for you lot is knowing what exactly you want to scout. These streaming services don't really have an pick that includes every aqueduct for every type of content.

Some services focus on offering basic cable staples such equally MSNBC, TNT and Nickelodeon, to name a few. Other services may be more dedicated to sports content, with some focusing only on more than of the major leagues such as the NBA, MLB or NFL. There are also services that but offering content such as the Hallmark Aqueduct, TLC and other like channels.

Depending on your content preferences, you may have to sign up for more than one of these services at one time, or supplement your live TV streaming packet with a subscription to Netflix, HBO Max or Apple TV+.

Practise you want to record and watch later?

Almost all modern cable plans include a device called a DVR that allows y'all to record live broadcasts and so you can scout them later. If y'all're looking for a live TV streaming service to replace your cable subscription, you may not want to lose access to the recording feature.

Many live Tv set streaming services currently offer a similar feature for subscribers. If recording live broadcasts is important to yous, make sure to look out for services that allow y'all to tape content that otherwise would non be available on-demand.

Dissimilar DVRs that rely on physical storage space, streaming services make use of cloud storage, which allows you lot to access recordings from any device that is linked to your business relationship. This means that y'all don't always take to be at home to watch what you've saved.

Practice keep in mind that there is by and large a time limit on how long you lot can agree these recordings in your account, typically anywhere from half dozen to 12 months. Some streaming services also limit how many hours of content you tin can record, much like with DVRs, and so be mindful of these limits.

Exercise yous want to watch live sports?

In much of the U.Southward., the broadcasting rights for the local MLB, NBA and NHL games are controlled past regional sports networks. These networks are usually included with local cable packages, merely you won't necessarily go them in a live streaming TV subscription.

And then if watching your local teams is of import to yous, information technology's essential to discover out what is and isn't included in your service. For example, if you live in New England and want to lookout the Boston Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics regularly, you must brand sure your streaming package includes the regional sports network, NESN.

Dissimilar leagues also have unlike rules regarding blackouts. While navigating these rules can be complicated, to say the least, nearly leagues offer online tools to cheque what games are unavailable to you lot on their streaming services. For case, MLB.TV allows you to blazon in your ZIP code to get a list of blacked-out games, based on your location. NHL TV has a similar tool available on their website, while the NBA League Pass website tells y'all which games are blacked out when signing up for whatever of their packages.

How many devices practise you use?

Regardless of how many people are in your household, you should exist aware of which devices volition be used to stream live TV. Nearly every streaming service has a limit on how many devices tin can be used to stream from a single account at the aforementioned time.

For example, if you have 3 streaming-capable devices in your firm, but your streaming service programme only allows two simultaneous streams, yous may want to set ground rules for who gets to stream at what time.

You tin can check out our guides to the best smart TVs and all-time streaming devices to make sure your home is fully equipped to stream whatever you feel similar watching.

How many people will exist sharing this account?

On the topic of sharing accounts, many services allow you to ready up multiple profiles on a single account. This is peculiarly handy when multiple users have access to the same account, since it allows them to customize their content library according to their tastes. It tin also come in handy when creating a family contour that can be used to watch TV as a group.

Almost services ordinarily allow anywhere from two to five users per account, though some — such as Sling Television set — allow as many every bit 10. These profiles will be updated and accessible in whatsoever logged-in device.

Go on in heed that the number of connected devices allowed may be lower than the maximum number of profiles, which may exist a minor inconvenience for large households.

Await for special deals and trial plans

Though not always the case, live TV streaming services can exist considerably more expensive than on-need services such every bit Netflix. Non only that, but these services are also affected past content exclusivity — meaning that some channels or shows may only be bachelor in 1 service only not another.

Since the whole signal of live streaming is to move away from the generally bloated and expensive model of cablevision Idiot box, you want to make sure you're getting the nearly value for your coin. To that finish, many of these streaming services offer special promotions and trial periods that you tin can take advantage of.

Free trials tend to last anywhere between 3 to vii days and tin be useful for getting a feel of the service, though peradventure not long plenty for sampling a good clamper of their catalog. Special deals tend to pop upwardly effectually major holidays (typically for first-time subscribers) and tin can be an economic way of getting calendar month or two'south worth of content for a more than attainable price.

If you lot're non sure whether a particular streaming service is for y'all, trying it out via a free trial or special promotion is the best way to decide whether it'south worth adding another monthly expense to your budget.

Program out your upkeep

As previously mentioned, not every service carries every channel or show, which means that you may end upwards subscribing to more than one streaming service to fulfill your content needs.

To avert paying every bit much as a traditional cable package, yous'll demand to programme out your upkeep and avert going overboard. While the most obvious way of doing this is to only pay for the services you desire, it'southward not your only culling.

Another common tactic is to cancel your subscription anytime you feel like there'southward nothing to lookout man for the month and renew your subscription when you lot want.

Call up that you can always cancel

One of the biggest perks these services offering is the ability to cancel whenever you lot want. Unlike traditional cable packages, streaming services don't have cancellation penalties, since they don't come with contracts. Streaming services can generally besides be hands canceled or put on hold with a few clicks online, whereas you may take to suffer a 30-infinitesimal phone call with the cable company to abolish or change your package.

This means that if you just want to sentry a handful of shows or movies available on a single platform, you tin subscribe for as long as information technology takes to sentry what you want and abolish until something catches your eye again.

This makes it easy to keep your monthly bills low, since you're non necessarily paying for multiple platforms every calendar month.

Other cord-cutting alternatives

As you may have noticed by now, trying to cut the cord and switching to streaming tin stop upwardly costing y'all almost as much as a cablevision subscription (without the contracts, thankfully). If your main business was lowering your monthly bill, there are a few alternatives to consider for live TV streams.

Over the air (OTA) antennas are fairly affordable — typically in the $10 to $40 range — and volition pick upwardly the local affiliates of national networks like CBS, ABC and NBC for free and in high definition when available. This is a particularly good alternative if you're not looking to scout annihilation specific and just want to keep up with the news.

If you lot're partial to movies and binge-worthy shows, you can always consider other streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+ and HBO Max, to name a few. Much like with live Tv streaming, you tin subscribe for equally long as information technology takes you to become through your watching wishlist and move on to a different service at your convenience.

How to watch live Television receiver on Roku

There are a number of means to stream alive TV through your Roku TV or other Roku device. The most straightforward ane is to only apply the aqueduct apps included with your Roku such every bit ESPN and Play a trick on Sports, provided yous already take a subscription. If you're subscribed to specific streaming services such as Sling or Philo, you tin can download the app then you tin add together the included channels to your Roku channel listing. You likewise accept the option of buying an over-the-air antenna and connecting information technology to your Idiot box to picket local channels for gratis.

How to sentinel live TV on Burn down Telly Stick

Similar to the Roku, Amazon's Firestick device comes with preinstalled live Television receiver channels that you can get started with — though you may demand a subscription to use many of them. If you have a subscription to whatever other alive TV streaming services such every bit Philo or Sling, you can add together them to your Firestick channel library. An over-the-air antenna is also an option for certain models of Firestick, and then you tin can watch local channels for gratis.

How much data does streaming live Goggle box use?

The respond will vary depending on how much streaming you do per day and the quality of the video beingness streamed. According to AT&T'southward information usage reckoner, streaming 224 hours — or eight hours per day for 28 days — of HD video will eat roughly 560.45 GB of data in a calendar month.

How to stream from phone to Goggle box

The master requirement to stream from your phone to your TV is to own either a smart Tv or a device that tin receive your phone's stream and "bandage" it onto the Idiot box screen (such as a Roku, Firestick, Chromecast, or Apple TV.) To ship the stream from your phone to your Television, you must press either the AirPlay icon (for Apple devices) or Chromecast icon (for Android devices) on the streaming app you're using and select the Goggle box or device you desire to transport the stream to.

What is the best live Television receiver streaming service?

Because different services provide access to different kinds of content, the answer is "it depends." Overall, platforms such as YouTube Television, Hulu + Live TV and DirecTV offer the broadest selection of content — including sports. Any local channels not included with these services can usually exist picked up past an over-the-air antenna, which tin can be purchased separately and hooked upwards to your TV.

What is the cheapest live Boob tube streaming service?

The cheapest alive Tv streaming service will depend on your content preferences. Completely gratuitous services such as Pluto TV and XUMO offer a big selection of viewing options, but rarely if ever include popular pay channels or major networks. If you're a big sports fan, the cheapest worthwhile service may cost you up of $threescore per month, while someone who prefers to watch Hallmark movies could potentially pay as little as $vii per month to satisfy their content needs.

How We Chose the Best Television Live Streaming Services

Device Compatibility

Alive streaming services operate over the internet. This means that any cyberspace-capable device should be able to run these services.

We chose services that run on a variety of internet-capable devices (computers, smartphones, smart TV, etc.) so you can access them whenever you desire, wherever you are.

Actress Features

Some features common to cable TV (such equally recording programs to picket later or the ability to watch on multiple TVs at the same time) are not necessarily present in all live TV streaming services.

We focused on services that offered features such as cloud DVR (no need for a physical recording device), multiple simultaneous streams and the ability to set multiple profiles per account.

Cost

One of live TV streaming services' main draws is their lower price when compared to cable TV packages. However, many of these services conduct a hefty price tag nonetheless. Nosotros chose services that offered the most content relative to their monthly toll, to ensure you don't finish up paying the aforementioned or more than yous would for cablevision.

Summary of Coin'southward Best Television set Live Streaming Services

Company and Specialty	Free trial	# of channels
YouTube Idiot box (Best Cable Substitute)	vii days	85+
Sling TV (Best Value for a Basic Channel Bundle)	three days	50+
Hulu Television set (Best Alive Television set and Streaming Bundle)	Variable	75+
Philo (Best Budget Service)	7 days	60+
fuboTV (All-time for Sports Fans)	3 days	100+
Frndly Boob tube (Most Affordable Family unit and Educational Content)	7 days	thirty+