Best Live TV Streaming Services of 2026
Five services replace cable: YouTube TV leads on score, Sling TV is cheapest, and Fubo and DIRECTV STREAM carry the most regional sports networks.
- Prices verified Oct 12, 2026
- Scored on 7 published criteria
- Licensed U.S. services only
- Updated monthly
Editors’ top picks
Start with these three
We may earn commissions from providers featured here. Compensation can affect placement. Affiliate Disclosure
-
#2 Runner-up
7.4
Live TV plus three on-demand libraries in one plan
From $99.99/mo · Best bundle: live TV plus Disney+ and ESPN
View Plans Read review -
#1 Top Pick
8.0
The best all-around cable replacement
From $82.99/mo · Best live TV overall
View Plans Read review -
#3 Runner-up
7.1
Live TV for less, if you can skip CBS
From $45.99/mo · Best budget live TV
View Plans Read review
Ranked list
-
The best all-around cable replacement
- 100+ channels incl. ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, ESPN
- Unlimited cloud DVR, 3 streams
- Intro offer: $59.99/mo for 2 months
$82.99/mo after the intro period
- Live TV
- Sports
- DVR
- Free Trial
- No Contract
From$82.99/moBase Plan; promo $59.99 for 2 months for new members
Best live TV overall
Editorial scoreExcellent8.0/10Verified Oct 12, 2026
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Live TV plus three on-demand libraries in one plan
- 95+ live channels with locals, ESPN, TNT
- Includes Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN Select
- Unlimited cloud DVR
2 streams unless you add $9.99/mo
- Live TV
- Sports
- DVR
- On-Demand
- No Contract
From$99.99/moWith ads, rate effective Oct 21, 2026; $109.99 Premium
Best bundle: live TV plus Disney+ and ESPN
Editorial scoreVery good7.4/10Verified Oct 12, 2026
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Live TV for less, if you can skip CBS
- Lowest-priced major live TV service
- Orange: ESPN, TNT; Blue: FS1, NFL Network
- No contract; cheap add-on packs
No CBS; 1 stream on Orange; 50-hour DVR
- Live TV
- Sports
- DVR
- No Contract
From$45.99/moOrange or Blue; $60.99 for both
Best budget live TV
Editorial scoreVery good7.1/10Verified Oct 12, 2026
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Built for fans who need their regional sports network
- Most regional sports networks of any streamer
- Up to 10 streams, unlimited DVR, 4K events
- Free trial usually offered
No TNT or TBS; regional sports fee extra
- Live TV
- Sports
- DVR
- 4K
- Free Trial
From$55.99/moSports tier; Pro $88.99 plus regional sports fee
Best for regional sports networks and soccer
Editorial scoreGood6.7/10Verified Oct 12, 2026
-
Nearly every channel, at a cable-like price
- Deepest channel lineup, up to 185+
- Regional sports plus ESPN and TNT
- 5-day free trial, unlimited at-home streams
Highest price; regional sports fee up to $19.99
- Live TV
- Sports
- DVR
- Free Trial
- No Contract
From$74.99/moMySports genre pack; ENTERTAINMENT $89.99
Best cable-like channel lineup
Editorial scoreGood6.7/10Verified Oct 12, 2026
Live TV services compared
Sort by price or streams. "Partial" means availability depends on plan or market.
| Provider | Starting price | Live TV | Sports | DVR | 4K | Free trial | Streams | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV#2 · Best live TV overall |
$82.99/moBase Plan; promo $59.99 for 2 months for new members | Yes | Yes* | Yes | Add-on | Yes | 3 | View Plans |
| Hulu + Live TV#6 · Best bundle: live TV plus Disney+ and ESPN |
$99.99/moWith ads, rate effective Oct 21, 2026; $109.99 Premium | Yes | Yes* | Yes | Not confirmed | Varies | 2 | View Plans |
| Sling TV#8 · Best budget live TV |
$45.99/moOrange or Blue; $60.99 for both | Yes | Yes* | Yes | Select events only | No | 1 | View Plans |
 Fubo#9 · Best for regional sports networks and soccer |
$55.99/moSports tier; Pro $88.99 plus regional sports fee | Yes | Yes* | Yes | Select events | Yes | Up to 10 at home | View Plans |
 DIRECTV STREAM#10 · Best cable-like channel lineup |
$74.99/moMySports genre pack; ENTERTAINMENT $89.99 | Yes | Yes* | Yes | Limited | Yes | Unlimited at home | View Plans |
YouTube TV
#2 · Best live TV overall- Live TV
- Yes
- Sports
- Yes*
- DVR
- Yes
- 4K
- Add-on
- Free trial
- Yes
- Streams
- 3 (unlimited at home with 4K Plus)
Hulu + Live TV
#6 · Best bundle: live TV plus Disney+ and ESPN- Live TV
- Yes
- Sports
- Yes*
- DVR
- Yes
- 4K
- Not confirmed
- Free trial
- Varies
- Streams
- 2 (unlimited at home with add-on)
Sling TV
#8 · Best budget live TV- Live TV
- Yes
- Sports
- Yes*
- DVR
- Yes
- 4K
- Select events only
- Free trial
- No
- Streams
- 1 (Orange), 3 (Blue), 4 (both)
Fubo
#9 · Best for regional sports networks and soccer- Live TV
- Yes
- Sports
- Yes*
- DVR
- Yes
- 4K
- Select events
- Free trial
- Yes
- Streams
- Up to 10 at home (2 away)
DIRECTV STREAM
#10 · Best cable-like channel lineup- Live TV
- Yes
- Sports
- Yes*
- DVR
- Yes
- 4K
- Limited
- Free trial
- Yes
- Streams
- Unlimited at home
No services match those filters. Try removing a filter.
Checkmarks show features included on at least one plan; an asterisk or a short label means it depends on plan, add-on, or local market (hover or open the review for the detail). Starting prices are the lowest recurring monthly price for new subscribers, verified Oct 12, 2026. Taxes and fees may apply. Details and sources are in each review.
Channel coverage: where the five services differ
| Service | ABC / CBS / NBC / FOX | ESPN | TNT / TBS | Regional sports networks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV | All four, most markets | Yes | Yes | Few |
| Hulu + Live TV | All four, most markets | Yes | Yes | Some |
| Sling TV | ABC, FOX, NBC on Blue, select markets; no CBS | Orange plan | Orange plan | No |
| Fubo | Select markets | Yes (Pro, Sports) | No | Most (fee applies) |
| DIRECTV STREAM | All four, most markets | Yes | Yes | Most (CHOICE and above, fee applies) |
Local availability depends on ZIP code. Verified Oct 12, 2026 against our channel pages; re-check by January 10, 2027.
Key facts
- Sling: ESPN and TNT on Orange only; no CBS; one stream on Orange.
- Fubo has no TNT or TBS.
- Regional sports fees apply on Fubo and DIRECTV STREAM.
- Unlimited DVR on all but Sling (50 hours, upgrade to 200).
- No contracts; promotional pricing steps up.
DVR and simultaneous streams
- DVR: YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, and DIRECTV STREAM unlimited; Sling 50 hours with a paid upgrade to 200.
- Streams: Sling Orange one, Hulu + Live TV two (unlimited at home with an add-on), YouTube TV three, Fubo up to ten at home, DIRECTV STREAM unlimited at home.
- Multi-room households should treat the stream limit as a hard filter.
Price versus cable
- Mid-tier bundles cost $82.99/mo to $99.99/mo before taxes and regional sports fees, within range of basic cable.
- Savings come from skipping equipment rental, installation, and contracts, and from downgrading to Sling TV at $45.99/mo or canceling in the off-season.
- The streaming versus cable guide works through three household budgets.
Which live TV service should you pick?
- Most people replacing cable: YouTube TV. All locals, ESPN, TNT, unlimited DVR, three streams.
- You also want Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Select: Hulu + Live TV.
- Lowest price and you can live without CBS: Sling TV.
- Your regional sports network matters most: Fubo (if you can live without TNT) or DIRECTV STREAM (if you cannot).
- You want everything, price secondary: DIRECTV STREAM.
Frequently asked questions
Do live TV streaming services require a contract?
No. All five are month to month; promotional pricing on YouTube TV and DIRECTV STREAM steps up after the intro period, and Fubo and DIRECTV STREAM add regional sports fees in some markets.
Which live TV service has a free trial?
As of Oct 12, 2026: DIRECTV STREAM five days, Fubo usually five to seven, YouTube TV varies by promotion, Hulu + Live TV sometimes a short trial, Sling a discounted first month instead. All need a payment method and convert to paid unless canceled.
Can I watch live TV streaming away from home?
Yes, within limits: YouTube TV requires a home check-in every three months, Fubo caps away-from-home streams at two, and locals may change to the market you are in. See each review's subscription requirements.
Is a live TV streaming service enough for sports?
For national games on ESPN, FOX, CBS, NBC, and TNT, yes; local-market MLB, NBA, and NHL games need a regional sports network, usually Fubo or DIRECTV STREAM. Streaming exclusives (Prime Video, Peacock, Netflix, Apple TV) need their own subscriptions; see the sports streaming guide.
We may earn commissions from providers featured here. Compensation can affect placement. Affiliate Disclosure