The Best Live TV Streaming Services Available Today

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Learn the pros & cons of live TV streamers like Sling TV, YouTube TV, & more
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With so many streaming options available today, it can be challenging to know which is the best fit for your lifestyle, budget, and interests. And how do you factor in options for live TV or traditional cable channels? To solve this dilemma for you, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about choosing the best and cheapest TV streaming service. We’ll walk you through the most cost-effective paid live TV services, as well as which free, ad-supported services you could likewise consider. Keep reading, then start streaming!

Which TV streaming service is the cheapest?

Frndly TV is the cheapest service at $7/month—however, they have limited channels. Philo TV ($28/month) and Sling TV ($46/month), on the other hand, still offer a budget-friendly option but provide users with more channel options. Sling TV, for example, offers a customizable set of popular channels like ESPN and CNN.

Section 1 of 4:

The Cheapest Paid Live TV Streaming Services

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  1. Sling TV is one of the most cost-effective live TV streaming services, as it allows users to watch a variety of channels in different categories—including sports, news, education, and entertainment. Sling TV is also highly customizable, meaning that users can tailor their packages to their own interests without paying for channels they’ll never watch. [1]
    • PROS: More affordable than other live streamers; Orange plan is the cheapest route to ESPN; highly customizable.
    • CONS: Only 50 hours allowed on the DVR; local channels are only available in major cities.
    • # of Channels: 35+
    • # of Simultaneous Streams: 1-3
    • Contract? No
    • Free Trial? No (but discounts & promotions available in first months)
    • On-Demand? Yes
    • DVR: Yes
  2. Frndly is a budget television streaming service that focuses on family-friendly programming. Their basic channel lineup includes the Hallmark Channel, the Weather Channel, History, A&E, and other well-known programs. Frndly TV also offers a DVR service for recording shows as well as on-demand video content on various internet-supported devices and televisions. [2]
    • PROS: Highly affordable; unlimited DVR; “72-hour lookback” feature.”
    • CONS: Limited selection of channels.
    • # of Channels: 50+
    • # of Simultaneous Streams: 1, 2, or 4
    • Contract? No
    • Free Trial? Yes (7 days)
    • On-Demand? Yes
    • DVR: Yes
  3. Philo TV is another low-cost option for a subscription-based streaming service. Philo gives users access to a variety of live TV channels and on-demand programs, with a focus on entertainment, lifestyle, and reality TV content. However, Philo doesn’t include any sports or local news channels. [3]
    • PROS: Affordable; minimalist and easy-to-use interface; unlimited DVR allowance.
    • CONS: No access to sports or local channels; limited news coverage.
    • # of Channels: 70+
    • # of Simultaneous Streams: 3
    • Contract? No
    • Free Trial? Yes (7 days)
    • On-Demand? Yes
    • DVR: Yes
  4. DirecTV Stream focuses on a selection of live TV and on-demand content from major broadcast and cable channels (including local and national networks). The equipment-free DirecTV Stream is different from DirecTV, which requires a satellite dish and receiver. [4]
    • PROS: Similar to cable but without a contract; wide variety of channels.
    • CONS: Complicated interface.
    • # of Channels: 90+
    • # of Simultaneous Streams: Unlimited
    • Contract? No
    • Free Trial? Yes (5 days)
    • On-Demand? Yes
    • DVR: Yes
  5. YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service with a wide range of channels as well as an unlimited cloud-based DVR. Specifically, YouTube TV offers major broadcast networks alongside popular cable channels and regional sports networks, including ABC, CBS, FOX, CNN, AMC, FX, ESPN, and Disney Channel. [5]
    • PROS: User-friendly interface; accurate search functions; multiview feature; good access to sports, news, and linear programming networks.
    • CONS: Easy to overspend on extras; price continues to rise.
    • # of Channels: 100+
    • # of Simultaneous Streams: 3
    • Contract? No
    • Free Trial? Yes (varying length)
    • On-Demand? Yes
    • DVR? Yes
  6. This streaming service combines Hulu’s on-demand library with certain live TV channels, including both local stations and major networks. Most packages also include access to Disney+ and ESPN+, giving well-rounded access to online streaming and live TV options. [6]
    • PROS: Includes Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+.
    • CONS: Difficult-to-navigate interface.
    • # of Channels: 95+
    • # of Simultaneous Streams: 2
    • Contract? No
    • Free Trial? Yes (3 days)
    • On-Demand? Yes
    • DVR: Yes
  7. Fubo gives users access to a wide variety of channels in sports, entertainment, and news. Its offerings are similar to cable or satellite television, although Fubo doesn’t require any physical connections or equipment. Their channel lineup includes ABC, NBC, MSNBC, NFL Network, ESPN, A&E, BBC America, Food Network, USA, Freeform, Comedy Central, VH1, and more. [7]
    • PROS: Good sports coverage; automatically records favorite sports teams; helpful FanView feature; uncluttered interface.
    • CONS: Live component is better than the DVR and VOD experience.
    • # of Channels: 215+
    • # of Simultaneous Streams: 10
    • Contract? No
    • Free Trial? Yes (varying length)
    • On-Demand? Yes
    • DVR: Yes
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Section 2 of 4:

Our Pick for Best Free Live TV Streaming Service

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  1. Sling Freestream is Sling TV ’s free, ad-supported service. The Freestream package provides access to more than 500 live TV channels, as well as a library of on-demand shows and movies that require no credit card or subscription to watch. The content includes a wide range of topics, from news and sports channels to game shows, crime dramas, sitcoms, and more. [8]
    • PROS: Good selection of national news channels; well-organized interface; current shows become pop-outs during browsing.
    • CONS: Frequent advertisement of paid Sling plans.
    • # of Channels: 400+
    • Contract? No
    • On-Demand? Yes
Section 3 of 4:

What to Look for in a Live TV Streaming Service

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  1. Unsurprisingly, the main thing that you want to look for in a streaming service is something that fits your budget. Especially if you hope to cut costs as you cut those cable cords, you’ll want to find an alternative service that’s both cost-effective and worth the bang for your buck. Look for a base plan that fits your budget, but also make sure that the base plan includes channels or offers add-ons that interest you. [9]
    • You might also check out which services offer you a free trial or discounted promotion (like Sling TV ’s discounts on the first month of use) so that you can test out the product before committing your wallet to it.
  2. After price, it’s important to choose a streaming service that has the channels and cable networks that you will actually watch—you are paying for them, after all! When you sign up for any of these streaming providers, you’ll likely be asked to enter your zip code. Then, you’ll be able to see which of your local channels and affiliates you’ll be able to access through the streaming service. Then, consider which ones are most important to you—is CBS your most trusted news source? Are you a die-hard sports fan who needs ESPN access? Choose whichever service gives you the most of what you want at the best price. [10]
    • Try a customizable option, like Sling TV , that lets you choose from packages and add-ons where you can design your own selection of channels. That way, you’re focusing on the channels you do want and paying for fewer channels that you don’t. [11]
  3. Now that you’ve checked out the live TV options in each plan, look at their on-demand or video-on-demand (VOD) content. This is the content you’d see with a traditional streaming service like Netflix, i.e., pre-uploaded movies and TV shows that you can watch immediately at any time. Often, this content includes films and series that have recently aired on your subscribed networks. [12]
  4. If sports access is important to you, look for live streaming services that cover a wide variety of sports channels—or at least the ones that are most interesting to you. Look for ESPN, NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL in each service’s live channel lineups, then choose the subscription that has the most of what you love for the lowest cost. If you’re mainly after ESPN, for example, Sling TV is the cheapest program that offers that channel. [13]
  5. While the base cost of any TV streaming service is important, it’s also crucial to consider which add-ons or upgraded levels are available…and how much they cost. Packages usually include groups of live TV channels that are bundled by theme, such as news channels, sports channels, entertainment channels, or international channels. Some services may also ask you to pay for premium extras like Max, AMC+, and Starz. Each of these add-ons generally costs an extra $5-$20/month on top of the base price. [14]
    • So, before committing to a certain streamer, make sure to identify which add-ons you’d want and whether that raises the price of your base plan beyond what works for your budget.
  6. DVR storage space is another key factor in choosing a TV streaming service. Most of these services offer cloud-based DVR storage space, meaning that the shows you record are stored in the cloud (no physical box or device needed). Different services offer varying amounts of DVR storage, so if you’re someone who loves to record and store your programs for later watching, look for a streaming service with unlimited or close-to-unlimited DVR offerings. [15]
  7. If you’re planning to share your streaming account with friends or family members, keep in mind that most plans and packages will only allow you to have a certain number of simultaneous streams, meaning that you can only use your account on a certain amount of devices at a time. Depending on whether this factor is relevant to you, check whether you can simultaneously watch programs on 1, 2, 3, or more screens. [16]
  8. As of March 2025, only a handful of streaming services offer 4K live streams. YouTube TV, for instance, is one service that offers 4K live streams, although this feature is only available with a $20-per-month add-on. You’ll also need to have a compatible device in order to watch your content in 4K. For example, you’ll have to be watching on a 4K Smart TV or another 4K streaming device that’s paired with a cord and screen that supports a 4K resolution. [17]
  9. If you want to unwind and relax with your favorite streaming service at the end of the day, you surely want it not to be a headache to use! So, consider the navigability and overall organization of each service’s user-facing screens. For instance, do you like the way the home screen is set up? What about the content categories and the channel guide? Is the side menu easy to use for you? Answering all of these questions is key to choosing the TV streaming service that will best suit your needs. [18]
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Section 4 of 4:

Frequently Asked Questions About Live TV Streaming

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  1. 1
    What is live streaming, and how is it different from streaming? Any video content that’s delivered to your screen over an internet connection could be referred to as “streaming.” Traditional streaming options, such as Netflix, offer on-demand options that users can choose to stream immediately. Live streaming also delivers content over an internet connection, but the content is happening in real time—e.g., newscasts, sports games, timed TV airings, etc. [19]
  2. 2
    Is it cheaper to have cable or streaming? Now that nearly all major cable companies have raised their monthly prices, base-level live TV streaming services have emerged as a more affordable option. This shift is especially surprising as you also get on-demand content with most TV streaming services—as well as the live channels included with traditional cable. [20]
  3. 3
    Which streaming service has every TV channel? No service has every single channel available. However, Hulu + Live TV and DirecTV Stream offer the highest number of top-rated channels (although these options aren’t the most budget-friendly). FuboTV, on the other hand, has the most sports channels, if that’s what you’re looking for. [21]
  4. 4
    How safe are free streaming services and websites? Free streaming services and websites are generally safe. Look for ad-supported streaming television services that don’t encourage or ask you to download any files or content. [22] For instance, free providers like Pluto TV, Tubi, and Sling TV Freestream are all considered to be safe options. [23]
  5. 5
    Do live TV streaming services have commercials? Yes, most live TV streaming services have commercials because they’re broadcasting the same programs to you as you’d see on cable TV. Because those stations have commercial breaks, your live TV streaming service will as well. When watching pre-recorded content, however, you’ll likely be able to fast-forward past commercials in most cases.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.sling.com/help/en/learn-about-sling/about-sling
      2. ↑ https://try.frndlytv.com/about
      3. ↑ https://www.philo.com/login/subscribe
      4. ↑ https://streamtv.directv.com/
      5. ↑ https://support.google.com/youtubetv/answer/7069119?hl=en
      6. ↑ https://help.hulu.com/article/hulu-what-is-hulu-live-tv
      7. ↑ https://www.fubo.tv/welcome
      8. ↑ https://www.sling.com/help/en/learn-about-sling/promotions/freestream
      9. ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/streaming/best-live-tv-streaming-services
      1. ↑ https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-live-tv-streaming-services
      2. ↑ https://www.sling.com/channels
      3. ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/streaming/best-live-tv-streaming-services
      4. ↑ https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-live-tv-streaming-services
      5. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics-computers/streaming-media/guide-to-streaming-video-services-a4517732799/
      6. ↑ https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-live-tv-streaming-services
      7. ↑ https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-live-tv-streaming-services
      8. ↑ https://www.highspeedinternet.com/resources/4k-guide
      9. ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/streaming/best-live-tv-streaming-services
      10. ↑ https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/video/what-is-live-streaming/
      11. ↑ https://www.wesh.com/article/streaming-vs-cable/43968516
      12. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics-computers/streaming-media/guide-to-streaming-video-services-a4517732799/
      13. ↑ http://fact-uk.org.uk/consumer-advice/dangers-of-illegal-streaming/
      14. ↑ https://www.vpnsuper.com/blog/is-tubi-safe

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