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Best Live TV Streaming Services of 2024 | U.S. News
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It used to be that streaming services only offered recorded content. This was great for streaming movies and old TV shows, but if you wanted to watch current episodes and live sports, you were out of luck. However, some companies have filled that gap by offering Live TV streaming. Read our rating of the Best Live TV Streaming Services of 2024 below, including our No. 1 pick, YouTube TV.
At U.S. News & World Report, we take an unbiased approach to our ratings. We adhere to strict editorial guidelines, maintain a separate business team, and provide transparency on our methodology.
Live TV streaming has become the “killer app” that finally allows customers to ditch expensive cable bundles for more flexible and affordable options. Subscribing to services such as YouTube TV, Fubo, and Hulu + Live TV means you won’t miss that important episode of “The Bachelorette” or your favorite NFL game on Sunday. You can get dozens of channels—in most cases, the major network broadcasters as well as popular cable channels—along with a cloud-based DVR. It also means you can watch on any device while you’re on the move, with a defined number of simultaneous streams. As a bonus, you won’t need to arrange for a cable hookup. You can just use your existing broadband connection. Read on for more about the companies that made our Best Live TV Streaming Services of 2024 rating.
YouTube TV ties with Fubo for the No. 1 spot in our live TV Streaming Services of 2024 rating. Known for its large channel selection, easy-to-use-interface, and unlimited cloud DVR, this service currently hosts over 6 million subscribers. YouTube TV is separate from standard YouTube, although the viewing catalog does include a selection of YouTube Originals. There are 85 channels on the basic package alone, including popular broadcast networks like CNN, ESPN, and Fox News. Add-ons that can bring the number to over 100 channels. As a result, users can find everything from sports, movies, news, and so much more. YouTube TV, which is owned by Google, allows you to create a family group and share the app with up to five family members, each on their own profile. A family group can watch on three separate devices simultaneously.
Tying with YouTubeTV for the No. 1 spot, Fubo is the perfect choice for sports fans. In addition to being a full-fledged live streaming service, Fubo delivers all the soccer content you could want from all around the world, including the World Cup and European and South American league games. With over 100 live channels including affiliates of ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox, as well as major cable entertainment and sports channels, Fubo subscribers have access to ESPN, FS2, and Big 10 programming. We do miss the inclusion of Turner Sports channels, including TBS and TNT, both of which were dropped in 2020 -- a problem for March Madness fans. And for viewers hoping to see any PBS content, Fubo doesn’t deliver.
Both live and on-demand streaming in one subscription
Unlimited cloud DVR
Unlimited screens on home network
Cons:
No free trial
Lacking some popular channels like AMC
Multiple Streams:
Up to Unlimited Screens (Home), Up to 3 Screens (Out-Of-Home)
Trial Period:
30 Days
Hulu + Live TV, ranked third among our live streaming services, offers a well-rounded package of live channels including broadcast, cable entertainment, and sports. However, the big attraction is the inclusion of Hulu’s on-demand content along with Disney+. Hulu + Live TV’s basic package is priced a few dollars below YouTube TV and Fubo. Ad-free Hulu, ESPN+, and Disney+ boost the price to $82.99 monthly, but that’s still below what you’d pay for that package a la carte. For some, the on-demand content makes up for a slightly lower channel count than its main rivals. Hulu + Live TV allows two simultaneous streams, less than some rivals, but does offer more for an extra fee.
Limited number of screens for simultaneous streaming
Multiple Streams:
Up to 4 Screens
Trial Period:
None
Sling TV, No. 4 on our list, is the budget-lover’s choice for live streaming, perfect for those who don’t want to pay for channels they don’t watch but still want current shows and live news and sports. For a lot less than the other services, Sling TV provides options for 31 to 47 channels. These include local Fox and NBC stations, but as of this writing not CBS, ABC, or PBS. The Orange bundle includes 31 channels, with TBS, ESPN, Food Network, Disney Channel, and Cartoon Network among them, but you get just one stream at a time. Opting for the Blue plan will mean no ESPN or Disney Channel, but you will get local Fox and NBC channels, NFL Network, NatGeo, and SyFy, as well as three simultaneous streams. The full package of Orange and Blue adds up to $55 monthly which is still below the competition. All plans include 50 hours of DVR recording time.
Up to Unlimited Screens (Home), Up to 3 Screens (Out-Of-Home)
Trial Period:
5 Days
DirecTV Stream, our No. 5 pick for the best live TV streaming service, is perfect for traditional cable TV users who are hesitant to make the switch to streaming. DirecTV Stream offers a range of bundles at various price points, making it easy to find a package that suits your budget. Reviewers give DirecTV Stream good marks for its well-rounded channel lineup, easy, traditional channel surfing, and extensive offerings. Depending on your plan and location, DirecTV has between 65 and 140 channels, including local broadcast channels from ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and PBS. DirecTV Stream’s Basic package includes cable favorites like ESPN, Discover, FS, and the Food Network among others. Sports fans looking for MLB, the Big 10 Network, or NHL Network can upgrade to a higher tier of service to access all their favorite sporting events. The live guide on DirecTV Stream looks a lot like what cable fans are used to, making it an easy switch for most. But unlike traditional cable, this service offers unlimited cloud-based DVR storage.
Live TV streaming services can be a simpler and cheaper alternative to cable TV. First, you don't need someone to install a set-top box or other special equipment that cable and satellite TV services require. You also don't have to pay for the hundreds of channels that come with a typical cable or satellite TV subscription, most of which you probably don't watch. Instead, with a live-streaming TV service, you only pay for the channels you want. Many live TV streaming services offer free trials, which is great for trying out a service cost-free. You also don't have to sign a long-term contract, which means you pay month to month and can cancel anytime. Finally, unlike cable TV, there are no hidden fees with a streaming service.
To watch a TV streaming service, you will need the following:
A fast internet connection. Check your internet speed to make sure it’s fast enough to stream internet content without buffering. Live streaming services have different rules for using mobile hotspots, so be sure to read the fine print. For example, Hulu + Live TV requires a residential, non-mobile internet connection to work.
A streaming device. Most live streaming services allow you to stream live TV right from their websites using a compatible browser. For example, you will need Chrome or Firefox for YouTube TV. For a big-screen experience on a regular TV, purchase a streaming device like a Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire TV. Alternatively, many new smart TVs come with built-in streaming apps. Some DVD players and game consoles, like Xbox or PlayStation (PS4 or PS5), also support streaming. Whatever streaming service you choose, make sure your preferred streaming method is compatible with it.
Many live streaming services also let you watch movies and TV shows on demand, similar to on-demand-only services like Netflix. This means you don't have to record shows to watch them. For the best of both worlds, consider subscribing to a live TV streaming service as well as a separate on-demand streaming service. See our rating of the Best On-Demand Streaming Services for more about on-demand streaming.
When choosing a live TV streaming service, consider how many people in your household will be using it and see if the service will allow each of them to have their own profile. In addition, if you need cloud DVR storage, make sure the service offers enough. We explain these features and more in our Compare Live TV Streaming Services section below.
YouTube TV starts at $72.99 per month, with some discounts for new users and free trials available from time to time. The basic package includes around 85 local broadcast and cable channels, with add-ons available for sports and movie channels. Some on-demand content and YouTube Originals are available. Upgrades include 4K video ($9.99), Spanish language channels ($14.99).
Fubo is priced at $74.99 a month for its basic package, with 161 channels and 10 simultaneous streams on your home network, and 1,000 hours on a cloud DVR. You can boost that to 233 channels for $84.99 or 242 channels for $94.99, with add-ons available for premium channels. A separate Spanish-language package is $32.99. A seven-day free trial is offered.
Hulu + Live TV costs $69.99 for its basic package of 90 channels, along with on-demand content from Hulu and the Disney+ service, and an unlimited DVR. The price goes up to $82.99 if you want the Hulu and Disney+ content ad-free. Other add-ons are available including for Spanish language content. No free trial is offered.
Sling TV’s Orange plan with 31 channels and Blue plan with 41 channels are each $40, but combining the two boosts the monthly cost to $55.
Sling TV doesn't produce its own content, but it does offer some on-demand shows made available by channels as well as a “catch up” feature that lets you watch programs aired within the past three to eight days. The DVR for Sling is limited to 50 hours. Sling’s promotions including free trials and discounts for the first month will vary.
DirecTV Stream starts with a $74.99 package of 75 channels with an unlimited DVR. The $99.99 package has 105 channels or you can get 140 channels at $109.99 or 150 channels at $154.99 with the most expensive tier adding in premium channels including Max. A five-day free trial is available on all plans.
It depends on which streaming service you choose and what cable plans are available to you, but generally speaking, live TV streaming is cheaper than a cable package. Live TV streaming also doesn’t come with equipment rentals or broadcasting fees that many cable companies sneak onto your bill. The average monthly cable package will cost you about $217, while the Live TV streaming services on this list run between $40 and $75 per month.
Up to Unlimited Screens (Home), Up to 3 Screens (Out-Of-Home)
While live streaming may not replace all the channels and options of cable TV, it has advantages. In particular, you can more easily mix and match your favorite live channels with on-demand content, which may come from the same service or complementary ones. Starting prices range from $40 to $75 but add-ons and premium channels can hike that significantly. You may also pay extra for 4K video. Key features of live TV streaming services include:
Live channels: You can go from a barebones service such as Sling TV with as little as 31 channels for $40 a month to more than 200 channels with others such as Fubo and DirecTV Stream, which can boost the cost to over $100. If you’re switching from cable, be aware that live streaming each service has different local broadcast channels. Sling TV, for example, doesn’t have CBS, ABC, or PBS, which you will find on YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV.
Cloud DVR: This feature allows you to record your favorite live shows to watch at your convenience. Unlimited storage is offered by YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and DirecTV Stream, and Fubo offers 1,000 hours. SlingTV’s main packages however allow just 50 hours.
Parental controls: Most live streaming services allow you to filter for inappropriate content for children. This enables you to set up profiles for each view and allow content based on ratings such as TV-Y or movie ratings of G or PG. One notable exception is Fubo, which had no parental controls as of this writing.
Multiple streams: Subscribers to live streaming can watch on any device, including while traveling, but each service has limits. YouTube TV, Fubo, and DirecTV allow up to three streams outside the home, while Hulu allows two. For Sling TV, Orange subscribers can only stream on one device at a time, but it goes up to four for those getting Orange and Blue.
Fubo and DirecTV Stream are our top choices for sports fans seeking live streaming, with different strengths for each of these. Fubo started as a service for soccer enthusiasts and has Premier League, Champions League, MLS, Ligue 1, Liga MX, and other leagues and tournaments. It also has plenty of NFL, MLB, golf, tennis, and NASCAR events. One gap however is the Turner sports channels such as TBS and TNT, which have much of the NCAA March Madness basketball. Those channels are available on DirecTV Stream, which has a similar slate of sports channels, including some international soccer.
See our guide to the Best Sports Streaming Services to learn more about the rating. We also provide advice on choosing a sports streaming service that fits your budget and preferences.
While local channels are a key component to replacing cable, access to those channels on live-TV streaming services varies by region. Even if you receive local channels on a particular service in one area, if you take a trip or move, you may no longer have access to the same broadcast channels.
In general, YouTube TV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and DirecTV Stream offer access to local channels for major broadcast networks: ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX, depending on regional availability. Sling TV only offers local FOX and NBC channels in select markets, while Philo doesn’t offer any local channels. Notably, YouTube TV offers access to local PBS stations in certain regions.
Depending on your market, there may also be local independent channels and affiliates for The CW, Telemundo, and MyNetwork TV available. The best way to check is to enter your ZIP code on each service’s website to get your customized local lineup before picking which service to sign up for.
Even if local channels aren’t available in your area for a particular service, you still may be able to pick up broadcast signals over the air with an antenna, without having to sign up for cable.
Rob Lever is a veteran journalist based in Washington, D.C. with significant expertise in technology and tech policy. He spent nearly 10 years as the technology and media correspondent for Agence-France Presse, covering digital lifestyles, consumer electronics, Big Tech, cybersecurity, privacy, social media, and misinformation. He previously worked as a reporter and editor for economics and general news at AFP.
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At U.S. News & World Report, we rank the Best Hospitals, Best Colleges, and Best Cars to guide readers through some of life’s most complicated decisions. Our 360 Reviews team draws on this same unbiased approach to rate the products that you use every day. To build our ratings, we researched more than 24 on-demand streaming services and 12 live TV streaming services and analyzed 31 reviews. Our 360 Reviews team does not take samples, gifts, or loans of products or services we review. All sample products provided for review are donated after review. In addition, we maintain a separate business team that has no influence over our methodology or recommendations.
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