Live TV Streaming Services

Review These Popular Options

$64.99/month

YouTube TV allows subscribers to stream over 85 “live” TV channels from ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN & other popular cable networks — including the NFL Network, the NBA Network and the MLB Network. YouTube TV only has one tier option of “live” channels to choose from. Subscribers can add premium networks like HBO Max and SHOWTIME. With YouTube TV, subscribers can also record without any DVR storage space limits or extra charges.
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CHANNEL LINEUP COMPARISON
  • Pros
  • No Annual Contract
  • No Hidden Fees
  • Local news, weather and sports available in most areas
  • No DVR storage space limits
  • Includes NFL, NBA and MLB networks as well as PBS
  • Cons
  • Only three simultaneous streams
  • Many regional sports networks are not available nor the Lifetime or Weather Channel
  • Can not fast forward through commercials unless using DVR feature
  • Devices

Firestick, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Playstation, iOS, Windows, macOS, Android, Andriod TV, XBOX, LG, Samsung, VIZIO and Sony are compatible.

FAQ’s

Actually, the content from YouTube.com and YouTube TV reside in two separate worlds. So, you won’t find many YouTube clips in your search results when using the YouTube TV app.

Yes, YouTube TV has a “Sports Add-ons” package which includes NFL RedZone is not included in the base package of YouTube TV. However, YouTube TV does have a “Sports Add-on” package that includes NFL RedZone. Go to https://tv.youtube.com/welcome/ and scroll down to the “Add-on Networks” section. Click on the “See All Networks” link to view the sports channels included in addition to NFL RedZone.

Simply go to https://tv.youtube.com/ and scroll down the page to area requesting your zip code. Type in your zip code and the available local stations streamed by YouTube TV will appear.

Roku has a feature called Bandwidth Saver to help people with data or bandwidth caps. After 4 hours without remote activity, you may be asked if you want to keep streaming. Click “Keep streaming” to continue playback. If you do nothing, YouTube TV will close. You can disable this feature in the Settings/Network menu. 

YouTube TV only comes with three simultaneous streams, but it allows up to is household members to share one subscription account. Once a person subscribes as a member of YouTube TV, they simply create a family group.

Starting at $69.99/month

Includes over 60 “live” TV channels in the base Entertainment package and over 140 channels in the Premier package — plus gives access to over 40,000 Video on Demand (VOD) titles. The DIRECTV STREAM is very similar to the satellite version of DIRECTV, but without the big satellite dish installed on the outside or your house.
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CHANNEL LINEUP COMPARISON
  • Pros
  • Allows for twenty simultaneous streams on your home network and three concurrent streams when traveling.
  • No Annual Contract
  • Can fast forward through commercials using your DVR
  • DIRECTV streaming device includes “traditional/familiar looking” TV remote
  • Includes regional sports network options
  • Cons
  • This is the priciest “live” TV streaming option
  • Packages may automatically include lots of channels you never watch
  • Purchase or rental of a streaming device from DIRECTV is more expensive
  • NFL Sunday Ticket is not available as an add-on to DIRECTV STREAM
  • Only 20 hours of DVR storage
  • Devices

Firestick, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, iOS, Windows, macOS, Android, Andriod TV, LG, Samsung, VIZIO and Sony are compatible.

FAQ’s

No, the NFL Sunday Ticket is currently not available with DIRECTV STREAM.
DIRECTV STREAM offers may Premium channels including HBO Max, ShowTime, STARZ, EPIX and Cinemax.
The DIRECTV STREAM website provides a searchable page. Go to: www.directv.com/stream/channel-lineup/ and click on Regional Sports and Local and then type in your zip code. A listing of local channels and Regional Sports Networks will appear.
Roku has a feature called Bandwidth Saver to help people with data or bandwidth caps. After 4 hours without remote activity, you may be asked if you want to keep streaming. Click Keep streaming to continue playback. If you do nothing, DIRECTV STREAM will close. You can disable this feature in the Settings/Network menu.

Starting at $40/month

Sling TV offers the cheapest option of getting access to “live” streaming content. One of the reasons for the lower price is Sling TV plans doesn’t offer local news/weather/sports channels and thus no ABC, NBC, CBS or FOX shows. (You may need to purchase an HD antenna and AirTV2 to watch local channels.) It’s Sling Orange and Sling Blue plans offer options for different viewing preferences. The Extras and Add-Ons allow subscribers to customize their plans with additional content, ie Comedy, News, Kids, Lifestyle, Hollywood, Hallmark Movies — plus add Premium channels like SHOWTIME, STARZ AND EPIX.
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CHANNEL LINEUP COMPARISON
  • Pros
  • Cheap option for accessing “live” TV
  • No Annual Contract
  • No Hidden Fees
  • Can fast forward through commercials in recorded content using your DVR
  • Able to add SHOWTIME, STARZ, NFL RedZone packages and more
  • Cons
  • May need to purchase an HD antenna and AirTV2 to watch local channels
  • Only one simultaneous stream with Sling Orange
  • Only three simultaneous streams with Sling Blue
  • No Discovery, Fox News, MSNBC or NFL Network on Sling Orange
  • No Disney, ESPN, Freeform, MotorTrend on Sling Blue
  • 50 hours of DVR storage
  • Devices

Firestick, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, LG, XBOX, Samsung, VIZIO and Sony are compatible.

FAQ’s

Yes. Check out www.sling.com/channels/international?footer=true to see the channels offered in twenty different languages.
Yes, a majority of Sling TV channels are available in HD. Sling TV’s goal is to provide a high-quatliy video experience inside or outside of the home, anywhere a solid wired , wi-fi or mobile connection is available.
Sling TV’s Catch-Up TV feature allows subscribers to watch, or rewatch, just about anything that aired within the last three to eight days, depending on the channel and the type of content. Catch-Up TV also allows subscribers to fast forward or rewind previously aired content without the need to manually record content using the DVR feature.
Roku has a feature called Bandwidth Saver to help people with data or bandwidth caps. After 4 hours without remote activity, you may be asked if you want to keep streaming. Click Keep streaming to continue playback. If you do nothing, Sling TV will close. You can disable this feature in the Settings/Network menu.
Streaming devices include Roku, Amazon FireTV, Google Chromecast and Apple TV

Starting at $74.99/Month

Hulu + Live TV is one of the most popular “live” streaming providers. Hulu + Live TV allows subscribers not only to stream over 70 “live” TV channels, but also gives subscribers access to the entire Hulu Video on Demand (VOD) library of popular, award-winding original series and documentaries. You can also save money when bundling with Disney+ and ESPN+.
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CHANNEL LINEUP COMPARISON
  • Pros
  • No Annual Contract
  • No Hidden Fees
  • Local news, weather and sports available in over 200 of the 210 DMAs in the US.
  • For an extra fee, you can bundle Disney+ and ESPN+
  • Get access to 85,000+ TV shows and other Video on Demand (VOD) — including Hulu originals
  • No DVR storage space limits.
  • Cons
  • Only two simultaneous streams
  • Recent price increase
  • Doesn’t include NBA and MLB networks
  • Must upgrade to fast forward through commercials
  • Doesn’t include Nickelodeon or PBS or Hallmark
  • Must upgrade to fast forward through commercials
  • Devices

Firestick, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, PlayStation, iOS, Windows, macOS, Android, Andriod TV, XBOX, LG, Samsung, VIZIO, Sony and Nintendo are compatible.

FAQ’s

Neither Hulu (its original series and documentaries) nor the streaming content on Disney+ play any commercials. The content is ad-free. The Live TV content will continue to include commercials. The Live TV content will continue to include commercials.

Yes, Hulu + Live TV has a “Sports Add-ons” package which includes NFL RedZone. Go to www.hulu.com/sports-addon to see details.
Hulu + Live TV has a “Network and Zip Code Checker Tool” located www.hulu.com/live-tv. Scroll down to “All Your TV in One Place” and click on “View Channels in Your Area” then type in your zip code.
Roku has a feature called Bandwidth Saver to help people with data or bandwidth caps. After 4 hours without remote activity, you may be asked if you want to keep streaming. Click “Keep streaming” to continue playback. If you do nothing, Hulu + Live TV will close. You can disable this feature in the Settings/Network menu.

$25/month

Philo is one of the most affordable, “best value” streaming services but is geared to subscribers who want no sports, no national news channels, no local channels and no ABC, NBC, CBS or FOX shows. (You may need to purchase an HD antenna to watch local channels.) Philo does provide both “live” and Video On Demand (VOD) titles. These include over 60 “live” TV channels and over 60,000 Video On Demand (VOD) titles.

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CHANNEL LINEUP COMPARISON
  • Pros
  • Seven day free trial
  • No Annual Contract
  • No Hidden Fees
  • No DVR storage space limits
  • Includes regional sports network options
  • Cons
  • Only three simultaneous streams
  • 50 hours of DVR storage
  • No local sports or news channels
  • Includes no national news channels
  • Can only fast forward through some commercials using the DVR feature
  • Devices

Firestick, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, VIZIO and Sony are compatible.

FAQ’s

A simple option is to also subscribe to the ESPN+ app. This will give you not only access to streamed “live” sporting events, but also lots of Video On Demand (VOD) content including the full 30 for 30 library.
Philo has a “no sports and no locals” approach to it’s content. This allows them to offer lots of channels but still at less than half the cost when compared to YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV.
Although there are no DVR storage space limits on Philo, recorded content is stored for only 30 days from the date of your recording.
Roku has a feature called Bandwidth Saver to help people with data or bandwidth caps. After 4 hours without remote activity, you may be asked if you want to keep streaming. Click “Keep streaming” to continue playback. If you do nothing, Philo will close. You can disable this feature in the Settings/Network menu.

Starting at $4.99 per month

Formerly known as CBS All Access, the service streams content aired by CBS broadcast properties and ViacomCBS’s library — BET, Nickelodeon, MTV, etc. Paramount+ costs just $4.99 per month for the basic plan and $9.99 for an ad-free subscription. For local news/weather/sports channels, Paramount+ doesn’t offer the streaming of local news/weather/sports from ABC, NBC and FOX — and thus no ABC, NBC, or FOX shows, either. (You may need to purchase an HD antenna to watch local channels.) If you subscriber to Paramount+ Premium, you can stream your local CBS news/weather/sports station and stream the CBS channel’s content. Paramount+ includes their popular original content and 30,000+ VOD episodes and movies.

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CHANNEL LINEUP COMPARISON
  • Pros
  • Thirty day free trial
  • No Annual Contract
  • No Hidden Fees
  • Premium plan is (mostly) ad-free
  • Includes an economical option
  • Cons
  • Paramount+ does not have a DVR feature for recording live shows for replaying
  • Only Premium subscribers can watch local CBS news/weather/sports channels.
  • Subscribers can watch NFL games on CBS but only if you are a Paramount+ Premium member.
  • Streaming local NBC, ABC and FOX news/weather/sports channels are not available
  • You will probably need to purchase an HD antenna and AirTV2 to watch local news/weather/sports channels.
  • Devices

Firestick, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, iOS, Windows, macOS, Android, Andriod TV, LG, Samsung, VIZIO, Xbox, PlayStation and Sony are compatible.

FAQ’s

No, the Video On Demand library of movies are included in the subscription. If you subscriber to the Paramount+ Premium plan, the movies are commercial free.
You’ll only be able to stream your local CBS news/weather/sports station and even then it’ll only be CBS and only if you subscribe to Paramount+ Premium. To see the list of local CBS stations across the country, go to: https://help.paramountplus.com/s/article/PD-Where-is-Live-TV-available-for-Paramount
“Live” shows will continue to include commercials. So, you’ll continue to see ads on CBS, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, CBSN, etc.
Roku has a feature called Bandwidth Saver to help people with data or bandwidth caps. After 4 hours without remote activity, you may be asked if you want to keep streaming. Click Keep streaming to continue playback. If you do nothing, Paramount+ will close. You can disable this feature in the Settings/Network menu.
Streaming devices include Roku, Amazon FireTV, Google Chromecast and Apple TV
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$4.99/Month (Also an Optional Free Plan)

Peacock is a streaming live TV and on demand movie service owned by the television and streaming division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. Peacock’s Premium tier ($4.99 per month) allows access to its full library of content while the free version contains a subset. The Free tier allows you to instantly watch over 40,000 hours of movies and TV shows and includes over 50 TV channels. Both the Free and Premium tiers include a maximum of five minutes of commercials per hour. The Premium Plus tier ($9.99 per month) is mostly commercial-free and allows for downloading of select titles for viewing offline. 

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  • Pros
  • Peacock has a FREE version
  • You’ll need to sign up for an account if you’d like to watch content on the free version on a web browser
  • Access to full seasons of The Office
  • Set Parental Controls to block access inappropriate content to your kids by creating a PIN
  • Access to Peacock Originals
  • Cons
  • Missing the major, popular TVs shows found on ABC, CBS and Fox.
  • No downloads for offline viewing unless subscribe to the Premier Plus tier
  • Few sports options unless you subscribe to the Premium tier
  • You’ll need to connect to a US IP address via a VPN app to stream Peacock when overseas.
  • No content category for kids programing
  • Devices

Firestick, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Playstation, iOS, Windows, macOS, Android, Andriod TV, XBOX, LG, Samsung, VIZIO and Sony are compatible.

FAQ’s

The Free tier includes TV shows like The Office, Psych, The NFL Network, Saturday Night Live, and Law and Order. If you subscribe to the Premium tier, ($4.99 per month) you also get to watch episodes of Yellowstone, Parks and Recreation, King of Queens, Cheers, Downton Abby, 30 Rock, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Keeping up with the Kardashians,The George Lopez Show, Two and a Half Men, Everybody Loves Raymond, Frasier, plus live events (WWE and NBC’s NFL games).
Yes, popular movies include the Bourne movies, the Fast and Furious movies, Despicable Me movies, Field of Dreams, Jaws, Shrek, ET, Bridesmaids, Casino, and Erin Brockovich.
NBC’s Sunday Night NFL games are available via streaming on Peacock to only those who subscribe to the Premium tier of Peacock, but it’s only $4.99 per month.
Unfortunately, these games are streamed only on the Premium tier of Peacock, but it’s only $4.99 per month. So, if you’re a fan, it’s still a great deal.

Starting at $69.99 per month

FuboTV is the world’s only sports-focused “live” TV streaming service. FuboTV features three basic plans, Pro, Elite, and Ultimate. The Pro package includes over 100 “live” TV channels, 130 plus sporting events (with full coverage on specials like Super Bowl, NBA Finals, World Series, Stanley Cup, PGA Tour, NASCAR, etc) streaming of league soccer games and tournaments, plus thousands of Video on Demand (VOD) TV episodes and hundreds of movies.

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CHANNEL LINEUP COMPARISON
  • Pros
  • Seven day free trial
  • No Annual Contract
  • No Hidden Fees
  • Includes most local news, weather and sports channels
  • Create up to 6 profiles per account
  • Cons
  • 250 hours of DVR storage in the Starter package
  • Only three simultaneous streams
  • Pro plan does not include CNN, Cooking TV, Comedy Central or Cozi TV.
  • Pro plan does not include Game Show Network, DIY Network, History, or Lifetime
  • Pro plan does not include TBS, TCM, TNT, truTV or Vice.
  • Devices

Firestick, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, iOS, Windows, macOS, Android, Andriod TV, LG, Samsung, VIZIO, Xbox and Sony are compatible.

FAQ’s

fuboTV does not actually own or have much control over the VOD content of popular TV shows. This content is owned by the networks (ie HGTV, MotorTrend, Food Network and History Channel) so you’ll mostly only find the most recent episodes, not the episodes from previous seasons.
Yes, fuboTV streams lots of RSN including: AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, AT&T SportsNet Southwest, Marquee Sports Network, Root Sports Northwest, MSG, MSG+, NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports Boston, NBC Sports California, NBC Sports California+, NBC Sports Chicago, NBC Sports Chicago+, NBC Sports Philadelphia, NBC Sports Philadelphia+, NBC Sports Washington, NESN, SNY and more to come.
fuboTV does provide streaming of local news, weather and sports channels. For a listing of local channels from the fuboTV Help Center, go to: https://support.fubo.tv/hc/en-us/articles/115005151127-What-local-ABC-CBS-FOX-NBC-and-CW-stations-does-fuboTV-carry-
Roku has a feature called Bandwidth Saver to help people with data or bandwidth caps. After 4 hours without remote activity, you may be asked if you want to keep streaming. Click Keep streaming to continue playback. If you do nothing, fuboTV will close. You can disable this feature in the Settings/Network menu.
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Starting at $59.95 per month

Vidgo is a newer live tv streaming service with over 150 channels included in its Premium package ($79.99 per month) and over 110 channels in its Plus package ($59.95 per month). The Spanish Package ($39.95 per month)includes over 45 channels. Vidgo also has over 14,000 shows and movies ready for viewing on demand. Hundreds of hours of new content are added daily. Vidgo also has TV Everywhere so you’re able to watch content when you’re on-the-go. Its a free added service for Vidgo subscribers. 

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CHANNEL LINEUP COMPARISON
  • Pros
  • Carries Hallmark Channel and Lifetime Channel
  • Includes Disney owned channels
  • Includes major sports networks like ESPN and FOX Sports
  • No hidden fees or annual contracts
  • Economical live streaming option
  • Cons
  • Only 20 hours of free DVR included
  • Allows up to only three devices streamed simultaneously
  • Does not create its own original content
  • Does not include PBS
  • Devices

Firestick, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Playstation, iOS, Windows, macOS, Android, Andriod TV, XBOX, LG, Samsung, VIZIO and Sony are compatible.

FAQ’s

Yes, Vidgo does include the RFD TV Channel, the Cowboy Channel in its Premium Channel. INSP is included in both its Plus Package and in the Premium Package. 

Yes, Vidgo’s Plus Package and Premium Package both include the Paramount Network which the only network that offers the new episodes Yellowstone. Previous seasons of Yellowstone can be streamed via Peacock. 
NFL RedZone is not included in the basic Plus Package of Vidgo. However, if you subscribe to Vidgo’s Premium Package, NFL RedZone is included. The Premium Package is $79.99 per month. 

Vidgo does offer some local FOX and ABC stations for many major cities across the US. It does not offer the NBC or CBS Networks, so you’ll not be able to watch shows on those channels nor be able to view local news on NBC and CBS affiliate stations. 

Starting at $6.99 per month

FrndlyTV offers the lowest Live Steaming option but that comes with only 40+ channel options. The Classic tier offers HD quality, two simultaneous streams and unlimited DVR recordings. The Premium tier offers HD quality, four simultaneous streams and unlimited DVR recordings. It you binge watch the Lifetime and Hallmark channels, this may be your ticket. Hallmark

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CHANNEL LINEUP COMPARISON
  • Pros
  • Lowest price
  • No annual contract
  • No Hidden Fees
  • 7 day free trial
  • Cons
  • Basic Plan includes no DVR hours
  • Basic Plan allows only one simultaneous streams
  • No live news or live sports are available
  • Low number of TV channels
  • Devices

Firestick, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, iOS, Windows, macOS, Android, Andriod TV, and Sony are compatible.

FAQ’s

Yes, in addition to streaming all three Hallmark channel, subscribers can add on-demand Hallmark movies for an additional $5.95 per month.
A simple option is to also subscribe to the ESPN+ app. This will give you not only access to streamed “live” sporting events, but also lots of Video On Demand (VOD) content including the full 30 for 30 library.

Philo has a “no sports and no locals” approach to it’s content. This allows them to offer lots of channels but still at less than half the cost when compared to YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV. 

If you’re on the Classic Plan recorded content is stored for three months. Recorded shows are saved for nine months on the Premium Plan.