The 5 Best Live TV Streaming Services to Subscribe to in 2025

For many, one of the biggest fears anyone considering getting rid of their cable or satellite box is whether they can still watch live TV. While cutting the cord may mean paying a lower monthly bill, many wannabe streamers still like to watch events like news and sports live — like the good old days.

Canceling your cable service doesn’t have to mean giving up watching live TV entirely. A selection of services allows streaming these coveted sports games live over the internet. Dubbed live TV streaming services, these services with Live TV differ from monthly or yearly subscription-based streaming sites like Netflix, Hulu and Disney+. Live TV streaming services, like Sling TV and Hulu + Live TV, offer a more complete opportunity to cut those cords that bind you while still giving you access to live local and national news and sports channels — for a price. But there are also free live streaming options to plug some holes, like Pluto TV.

Here’s what you need to know about the best alternative to cable while still retaining the ability to watch TV. Here are the best live TV streaming services you can get right now and how they compare.

Best Live TV Streaming Service Overall: Hulu + Live TV

Pros:

• Over 90 channels included
• Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ included
• Unlimited DVR

Cons:

• Can only stream on two screens at once
• Free trial is only 3 days
• One of the more expensive live TV services

• Number of channels: 95+
• Top channels: Live local ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox; ESPN; FS1; FX
• Simultaneous streams: Up to two at once

Not only will Hulu + Live TV stream all your live TV, but it also comes with three great streaming services as a bonus. A subscription will get you access to Hulu, Disney+, ESPN+, and over 90 live TV channels. We’ve found that Hulu + Live TV has the most inclusive and well-rounded selection of channels included with a base subscription — unlike some of the other services, which only offer some fairly common channels in add-on packages, the only add-ons Hulu + Live TV offers (aside from premium channels like Max, Starz, and Showtime) are for more specialized channels. You can stream on two screens at a time and all subscriptions now come with unlimited cloud DVR storage. 

Hulu + Live TV costs $82.99/month (with ad-supported Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+) or $95.99/month if you want to upgrade to ad-free versions of Hulu and Disney+ (ESPN+ will still be ad-supported).

Best Budget Live TV Streaming Service: Philo

Pros:

• Super affordable
• 70+ channels
• One week free trial
• AMC+ included at no extra charge

Cons:

• No local news channels

• Number of channels: 70+
• Top channels: MTV, Paramount Network, AMC, Hallmark Channel
• Simultaneous streams: Up to three at once

Philo, which is the cheapest live TV streaming service, is perfect for those who love lifestyle content. The service includes over 70 channels in their base plan, which costs just $28.00/month.

There are no live news channels or local channels, save for BBC News, on Philo, so if that’s where your interests really lie, Philo might not be the best live TV streaming service for you. But if you can’t get enough House Hunters, 90 Day Fiancé, and Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, this is the best live TV streaming service for you. The channel lineup is primarily focused on lifestyle, with networks like Hallmark Channel, HGTV, Great American Family, MTV, TLC, Discovery, and more, all included in the $28.00/month price tag.

Our review: “Philo is a true hidden gem in the wild world of over-the-top streamers. An affordable alternative to YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV, Philo offers 70+ channels and unlimited DVR space for only $28/month. The service doesn’t include local network channels, but it does offer a host of popular cable options like A&E, AMC, AMC+, Comedy Central, BET, Hallmark Channel, and Paramount Network. Wanna give it a go? Philo offers a seven-day free trial for new subscribers.” — Josh Sorokach

Best Cable Alternative Live TV Streaming Service: DIRECTV Stream

Pros:

• Local news and sports channels
• Free trial
• Unlimited DVR

Cons:

• More expensive than most live TV streaming services

• Number of channels: 90+
• Top channels: Live local ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox; regional sports networks, ESPN
• Simultaneous streams: Unlimited on same Wi-fi network

What sets DIRECTV Stream apart from other live TV streaming services is the channel selection that mimics the kind of selection you’d get from a traditional cable subscription with cable boxes and all of that.

In addition to including all your local news channels, like affiliates of ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox, you’ll also get your local sports channels — the specialized networks like MSG or YES in New York and various regional Bally Sports affiliates — based on the market you’re located in.

We’ve found that this service has the most well-rounded selection of local channels in a base plan, but to get the sports channels, you’ll have to upgrade to a more expensive plan. The base Entertainment + Sports Pack costs $101.98/month, while the Choice plan with local sports is $114.98/month (but right now, you can save up to $60 on your first three months).

Best Live TV Streaming Service for Sports: Fubo

Pros:

• Free trial
• Premium add-ons
• Base plan has the most channels of any live service

Cons:

• Some basic channels require upgrading past base plan
• Unlimited DVR and 4K quality cost extra per month

• Number of channels: 214+
• Top channels: Live local ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox; regional sports networks, ESPN
• Simultaneous streams: Up to 10

What makes Fubo the best streaming service for live sports is the wide array of live sports channels included in the 180+ channel base plan. From local sports channels and ESPN to international channels like Bein and niche sports networks like NBC Golf, if you want to watch a sporting event, odds are, Fubo has it — even your regional sports networks, if you subscribe to the Pro plan or higher.

Fubo TV has three plans starting at $79.99/month. They also have a few add-on packages priced monthly, but upgrading past the base plan will give you those channels included at a discount. You can also add premium channels and add-ons like Starz, NBA League Pass, Paramount+ with Showtime, and MGM+.

Best Live TV Streaming Service for Add-Ons: Sling TV

Pros:

• Affordable
• Huge selection of add-ons

Cons:

• Plans can be confusing and only have up to 46 channels
• No free trial
• Only 50 hours of DVR storage without paying extra

• Number of channels: 35+
• Top channels: Live local ABC, NBC, Fox; ESPN; Fox news
• Simultaneous streams: Up to 4 (but Orange plan only allows 1)

If customizing your channel offerings is important to you, you can’t go wrong with Sling TV. The service has two base plans, Blue and Orange — each offers different channels — starting at $45.99/month. You can also combine the two starting at $65.99/month. The base plans only have up to 46 channels, and the rest (including channels that other services have inside of their base plans) have to be added on.

Once the base plan is picked, Sling has more add-ons than any other live TV service, so you can pick and choose different premium channels (often with sweet deals attached), niche interest channels, and bundles, until Sling TV is full of everything you want to watch.

These are just a few of the add-on highlights:

• Sling Blue + Sports Extra (15 channels for $11/month)
• Sling Blue and Orange + Sports Extra (20 channels for $15/month)
• Max (half off your first month, $5 off every subsequent month)
• Paramount+ with Showtime ($5 for your first month, then $10/month)
• Starz ($5 for your first month, then $10.99/month)
• AMC+ ($5 for your first month, then $9.99/month)

Other Streaming Services With Specific Live TV Options:

• Paramount+: Paramount+ with Showtime ($11.99/month) subscribers can watch their local CBS channel live 24/7, in addition to a handful of sporting events like NFL on CBS, The Masters, March Madness games, and more.
  • Our review: I enjoy Paramount+ because it allows me to watch live sports with convenient features like rewinding and fast-forwarding, or even starting a game from the beginning if I miss a key moment like a goal or penalty. It brings back a nostalgic feel, reminding me of the days when cable TV was the go-to option. Beyond sports, Paramount+ offers a great selection of classic TV shows, keeps me updated with daily news, and even provided a smooth experience streaming the Golden Globes with minimal interruptions. — Maeve Degan
• Peacock: If you subscribe to Peacock Premium Plus ($11.99/month), you’ll be able to watch your local NBC affiliate live. Any live sports on Peacock are open to both subscription tiers to stream.
• ESPN+: Get your sports fix with live NHL, MLB, NFL, golf tournaments, UFC and more with ESPN+ for $10.99/month.
• Max: With Max’s Bleacher Report Sports add-on (currently free for all subscribers), you’ll be able to stream NBA, NFL, NCAA, and other sports and leagues that air on TNT and TBS. The linear HBO cable networks are also always live on Max. You’ll also be able to watch live CNN 24/7 with the new News section.

Why Trust Decider Shopping

This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Writer/Reporter for Decider. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, how to watch your favorite sports teams and movies on each streaming service and the very best in tech, like soundbars, to enhance your viewing experience. Not only does Angela test and compare the services, devices and merch she writes about, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech and pop culture. Prior to joining Decider and the New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews. 

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