What Streaming Service Has The Never Ending Story

Looking for on-need video streaming services? CableTV.com has reviewed and ranked the elevation on-demand streamers, including Netflix and HBO Max, in our All-time On-Need Streaming Telly Services guide.

We've ranked these live TV streaming services based on bang-for-your-buck value, features, reliability, and our most recent live Tv streaming customer satisfaction survey results.

For the second year in a row, YouTube Telly won our Editor's Choice award for best overall alive Goggle box streaming service. It has a solid channel lineup at a decent price. And current YouTube TV customers are the nigh satisfied of all other alive Television streaming service customers.

That said, maybe you're looking for a cheaper service (Philo) or all the sports (fuboTV). Read on to find the right service for you and your household.

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Best live Goggle box streaming services

#1 YouTube TV – Editor'south choice ($64.99/mo.)
#2 Hulu + Live TV – All-time value ($69.99–$75.99/mo.)
#3 Philo – Cheapest ($25.00/mo.)
#4 fuboTV – Best for sports ($69.99–$79.99/mo.)
#five Sling Tv – All-time for families ($35.00–$50.00/mo.)
#6 DIRECTV STREAM – Best for regional sports networks ($69.99–$149.99/mo.)
#vii Vidgo – Large channel lineups ($59.95–$79.95/mo.)
#8 Frndly Telly – Inexpensive skinny packet ($6.99–$10.99/mo.)

See what real customers have to say about these streaming services

Read our customer satisfaction survey of real live TV streaming customers

Compare live TV streaming services

Data effective equally of mail date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to alter.

We've named YouTube TV our best overall live TV streaming service because of its first-class channel lineup, unlimited DVR, and smooth performance, among several other factors. We also think that Hulu + Live Tv is a peachy value because it offers both alive Tv set and a fantastic on-demand library—the best of both worlds.

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Best live Goggle box streaming services in item

We've given y'all a quick overview of the all-time alive Tv set streaming services, at present let's dig a picayune deeper into our Editor'southward Choice awards and why we ranked the services the way we did.

Editor's choice: YouTube TV

Cloud DVR storage:

Unlimited (ix mos.)

Pros

Unlimited DVR
Sleek interface and search

Cons

Higher price tag
No A&E or Lifetime

YouTube Goggle box, YouTube'due south live Idiot box streaming service, combines the nearly familiar interface on the planet with an impressive assortment of amusement, sports, and add-on channels. All hail our new Google overlords!

Nosotros've named YouTube TV our all-time overall alive Boob tube streaming service because of its ease of apply, superior performance, and fatty aqueduct lineup. It'southward a little more expensive than about of the others, merely we call back it's worth the price.

Meanwhile, upsides to YouTube Idiot box include unlimited—yes, unlimited—cloud DVR storage that keeps recorded shows for up to nine months. YouTube TV's search office is also among the best in live TV streaming, thanks to its Google integration.

YouTube TV offers just i parcel, a $64.99-a-month bargain that delivers mostly complete live local channel lineups in over 100 markets and on-demand versions where select networks are absent (like The CW). YouTube Boob tube is as well the only live TV streaming service that carries PBS and PBS Kids, and information technology offers 15 premium add-on channels ranging from HBO Max to FOX Soccer Plus.

Every bit for sports, ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2, NBC Sports Network, CBS Sports Network, and Big 10 Network are all included with YouTube Tv. It also carries regional sports channels, in addition to NFL Network, MLB Network, and NBA TV.

But there are some holes in YouTube Idiot box'south entertainment channel lineup. It lacks channels like A&E, Lifetime, and VICE. Is a life without The Commencement 48, Married at Starting time Sight, or wall-to-wall F*ck, That's Delicious episodes? Nosotros're asking for a friend.

YouTube Goggle box's 2020 price hike from $49.99 to $64.99 a month irked customers as well, even though they also gained over a dozen new channels including Comedy Cardinal, Paramount Network, and BET. In 2021, TeenNick, MTV2, MTV Classic, and three more were added to YouTube Goggle box, pushing the aqueduct count to over 100 in some markets.

We recollect YouTube TV is the complete package when it comes to live TV streaming, hence our best overall ranking.

YouTube TV device compatibility

YouTube Tv is available on Amazon Burn Boob tube, Android Television receiver, Apple tree Telly, Google Chromecast, LG TVs, Roku, Samsung TVs, Vizio TVs, and Xbox consoles.

Best value: Hulu + Live Idiot box

Cloud DVR storage:

Unlimited (9 mos.)

Pros

Total Hulu on-demand experience
Disney+ and ESPN+ included

Cons

Spotty entertainment aqueduct lineup
No MLB, NBA, NFL, or NHL networks

When you think of Hulu, yous probably think of The Handmaid'due south Tale—or mayhap Palm Springs if you lot're into romantic quantum time-travel comedies.

Beyond original dystopian dramas, thinky comedies, and side by side-day circulate releases, Hulu has as well taken a swing at live TV streaming with its imaginatively titled Hulu + Live Telly. Despite the name, the crew hither at CableTV.com likes it so much we've named information technology our best value streamer.

For $69.99 or $75.99 a month, in improver to on-demand Hulu content, Hulu + Alive TV gives you over 75 alive cable channels and, depending on your area, a most-complete local network lineup. As of December 2021, either Hulu + Live TV programme includes the Disney+/ESPN+ bundle to take the sting out of its recent price hike.

That all sounds good until you scan the cable channels and notice favorites similar AMC, IFC, Hallmark, and WEtv are nowhere to be institute. Several other streaming services lack these channels, too—we recommend making up the difference with Philo, which carries them all for just $25 a calendar month.

Sports fans, on the other paw, are treated to ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2, and NBC Sports Network, plus TBS and TNT, with Hulu + Alive Tv set. Hulu + Live TV too offers a generous number of regional sports networks and a handful of college sports channels. Nonetheless, MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL pro sports networks are missing.

Hulu + Live Boob tube'south cloud DVR now affords you unlimited storage space and will keep your recorded shows for 9 months (only as YouTube TV does). Information technology's a dainty upgrade, just Hulu + Live Television still only allows two simultaneous streams.

Still, we think Hulu + Live Television set provides the all-time live TV streaming value for the price. Access to all of that absurd Hulu on-need content (including the FX originals library, which is like a premium add-on in and of itself) seals the deal.

Hulu + Live Television set uniform devices

Hulu + Live TV is bachelor on Amazon Burn TV, Android Goggle box, Apple Television set, Google Chromecast, LG TVs, Nintendo Switch, Roku, Samsung TVs, Vizio TVs, and Xbox consoles.

Cheapest: Philo

Cloud DVR storage:

Unlimited (12 mos.)

Pros

Inexpensive pricing
Channels unavailable elsewhere

Cons

No sports or local channels
Few add-ons or upgrades

Don't care about sports or local channels? Skinny service Philo—named later on television inventor Philo T. Farnsworth—might be the upkeep alive Television streaming answer for you.

There's simply i Philo package, which carries over 60 channels for $25 a calendar month. It includes A&E, AMC, BBC America, One-act Central, Discovery, Nutrient Network, HGTV, VICE, and Hallmark (a unicorn aqueduct that's difficult to come by in streaming), among many others.

Yous might recognize some of those as the pop channels missing from other live Television set streaming services. So what gives?

Past connecting the cerise conspiracy strings on the corkboard, y'all'll notice Philo is co-owned by the four major media companies that as well own the channels usually absent from other live TV streaming services. With a few exceptions, those companies keep their channels sectional to Philo for live Idiot box streaming. An inconvenient situation, for sure.

The very things that keep Philo'due south subscription rate depression are likewise its biggest minuses: yous can't stream local channels or sports. Both those channel types are expensive to carry, and then Philo decided to be the outlier among alive Idiot box streaming services and simply become with lifestyle and entertainment channels. If you desire more than that, you'll have to sign up for a second live TV streamer or buy an Hd antenna.

If you like recording and hoarding your favorite shows, however, get this: Philo's deject DVR will shop your unlimited recordings for a total year, three months longer than even YouTube TV. So you tin take your time analyzing those Aboriginal Aliens episodes.

Compared to live TV streaming apps like Hulu + Live Boob tube and YouTube Television receiver, Philo is a bare-bones affair—but, for but $25 a month, in that location'southward still plenty to like nigh the service.

Philo device compatibility

Philo is available on Amazon Fire TV, Android Tv, Apple TV, and Roku.

All-time for sports: fuboTV

Simultaneous streams:

3–ten

Cloud DVR storage:

250–1,000 hrs.

Pros

Fantabulous sports coverage
Solid entertainment channel lineup

Cons

Expensive plans
No TBS, TNT, CNN, or Cartoon Network

fuboTV promises "alive sports and Idiot box without cable," delivering "the perfect mix of sports and amusement." It's an expansion on the service'south initial mission to be "the Netflix of soccer," which withal fits.

The fuboTV Pro package, at $69.99 a calendar month, offers 120+ alive Tv streaming channels, including amusement staples like FX, AMC, Syfy, and Comedy Central. Local channels, on the other paw, are harder to come past.

fuboTV'southward Elite programme, at $79.99 a month, nets you lot 160+ channels, including Beginning. Information technology also comes with a DVR upgrade to 1,000 hours. For a across-complete live Tv streaming experience, Elite is the mode to become.

Even with the recent add-on of ESPN channels, fuboTV'south niche sports programming is where information technology's at, particularly if you're really, really, really into soccer (you know who you are). That impressive 160 aqueduct count is by and large soccer networks that even hardcore fans might non recognize. And, with fubo'due south sports add-on packages, you lot tin can go even more.

Around the aforementioned time fuboTV added ESPN channels, making information technology a sports powerhouse, information technology lost a suite of WarnerMedia channels: TBS, TNT, CNN, CNN International, CNN en Español, HLN, Drawing Network/Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, truTV, and Boomerang. That'due south a serious chunk of missing entertainment.

fuboTV is also an expensive live Tv set streamer, most the aforementioned monthly price every bit a cable or satellite subscription. You get a lot with fuboTV, just you'll definitely pay for information technology.

fuboTV uniform devices

fuboTV is bachelor on Amazon Fire Television set, Android Tv set, Apple Goggle box, Google Chromecast, Roku, and Samsung TVs.

Best for families: Sling Tv

Cloud DVR storage:

l hrs.

Pros

Inexpensive plans
Plenty of add-on packages

Cons

Express local channels
Express DVR storage

In terms of interface and channel options, Sling TV is similar to Hulu + Alive TV. Its basic plans are cheaper if somewhat confusing, only overall Sling TV is highly customizable with multiple available improver packages—including one for the kiddies.

The Sling Orange (thirty channels for $35 a calendar month) and Sling Blueish (forty channels, also for $35 a calendar month) packages aren't bad for casual Idiot box viewers. But more than demanding viewers will likely want Sling Orange + Blue (50 channels for $50 a month), since information technology'southward the most complete parcel Sling TV has to offer.

The Orange + Blue package has kids' channels Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, and Nick Jr. For $5 more than a calendar month, you can add the Kids Extra package, which includes Disney Junior, Disney XD, Nick Jr., Nicktoons, TeenNick, Boomerang, BabyTV, and DuckTV.

Sling Tv's cablevision channel lineup is strong—and with add-on packages, information technology gets even better, especially for sports (mom and dad need some to watch, too). If you have the patience to navigate the color-coding, Sling Tv is a solid service.

Of form, like other live TV streaming services reviewed here, Sling TV doesn't take everything. Local channels are defective; many markets get only Play tricks or NBC affiliates. And figuring out Sling Telly's local coverage requires more than a glance, unfortunately. At to the lowest degree Sling TV is proactive nearly helping customers use antennas to get local channels past offer several deals on the equipment.

But Sling's TV'southward add-on aqueduct package options—at that place'due south over 30 of them—should grab the attention of customizers who like to tweak their TV lineups to their own tastes. If you're picky about your TV amusement, Sling Idiot box could exist for you.

Sling Television receiver device compatibility

Sling TV is bachelor on AirTV Player, Amazon Fire TV, Android Television set, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, LG TVs, Roku, Samsung TVs, Vizio TVs, and Xbox consoles.

Best for regional sports networks: DIRECTV STREAM

Simultaneous streams:

iii–twenty

Deject DVR storage:

20–unlimited hrs.

Pros

Big channel lineups
All premium add-ons bachelor

Cons

Expensive plans
Limited cloud DVR space

Like many legacy media providers, DIRECTV leaped into the streaming boom quickly. Later on several iterations, DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV) has since evolved into a decent streaming version of its satellite Television receiver service, complete with cloud DVR—just it's not cheap.

DIRECTV STREAM looks and navigates much similar its satellite Idiot box counterpart. More than importantly, it also carries more than RSNs (regional sports networks) than other alive TV streaming services, like Bally Sports, YES, MASN, Distance, ROOT Sports, and AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain.

In the negative column, DIRECTV STREAM is pricey and suggests you hire its proprietary fix-top box to operate (though apps are available for devices like Roku and Amazon Fire TV). That's a very satellite move.

But, if you're determined to sidestep contracts, ditch the dish (scraping snowfall off a satellite receiver in the expressionless of winter sucks—we feel you), and go on your RSNs, DIRECTV STREAM is a relatively painless gateway into the earth of full-time streaming TV. It's no bargain, though—prepare your wallet for a striking.

DIRECTV STREAM compatible devices

DIRECTV STREAM is available on the DIRECTV STREAM device, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, and Samsung TVs.

Large channel lineup: Vidgo

Simultaneous streamings:

Pros

Big aqueduct lineup
Social TV feature

Cons

No deject DVR
Popular channels missing

The relatively new Vidgo is a alive Telly streaming service that carries 110+ channels for $59.95 a month, or 150+ for $79.95 a month. It also has an exclusive "Social Television set" chatroom where you tin interact with similar-minded TV fans on the service, and a Spanish-but plan choice.

Vidgo is more often than not almost sports and family programming, featuring a full suite of Disney-endemic channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, Disney Channel, Disney XD, Freeform, and more. It likewise carries the Hallmark Channel, Lifetime, and beIN Sports—channels that are hard to come past in streaming.

While Vidgo gives y'all up to 112 channels to stream, there are several popular channels—like TBS, TNT, Syfy, Bravo, and USA Network—missing from its lineup.

Besides not featuring popular WarnerMedia and NBCUniversal channels, Vidgo besides has no cloud DVR or on-need capabilities. Information technology's a alive TV streaming service that's strictly live, with some on-demand capabilities. (Vidgo says cloud DVR features volition be made available eventually.)

But, as a viewing experience, Vidgo is simple and streamlined (especially for mobile viewing). If you don't need a fat array of channels or a DVR, it's a decent deal for $threescore a calendar month.

Vidgo uniform devices

Vidgo is available on Amazon Burn down Television receiver, Android Telly, Apple TV, Roku, and Xbox One.

Inexpensive skinny bundle: Frndly Idiot box

Simultaneous streamings:

i–4

Cloud DVR storage:

Unlimited (3 mos.)

Pros

Low pricing
Unlimited DVR

Cons

Small channel lineup
No local or sports channels

Frndly Television set (or "Friendly") is a live Goggle box streaming service aimed at older viewers and families on a budget. It carries over 30 live channels, but only 10 we'd consider essential: A&Eastward, HISTORY, Lifetime, Lifetime Movie Network, fyi, VICE, Hallmark Aqueduct, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, Authentication Drama, and The Weather Aqueduct. The balance is, well, filler.

The upside: Frndly Television receiver's well-nigh expensive Premium plan is just $10.99 a month, which comes out to effectually $1.00 apiece for those popular channels. The Premium and Classic ($8.99 a calendar month) plans also include unlimited cloud DVR storage (for 3 months), while the Bones plan gives you live and on-demand programming from the aforementioned 30 channels for a dirt-cheap $6.99 a month.

Due to its express channel count and lack of local and sports channels (Outdoor Channel and Sportsman Channel are as sporty as Frndly TV gets), nosotros don't remember Frndly Television receiver competes against our editorial pick for cheapest live Goggle box streaming service, Philo. But, if its 10 core pop channels are all you want, Frndly Boob tube is worth taking for a free vii-twenty-four hours trial spin.

Frndly TV compatible devices

Frndly TV is available on Amazon Fire TV, Android Boob tube, Apple tree TV, Google Chromecast, and Roku.

What to look for in a live Tv streaming service

Does the service offering a gratis trial?

One of the ever-so-wonderful perks of streaming TV services is the complimentary trial menstruum. Unlike cable or satellite, streaming Idiot box services don't have installation appointments or contracts, then taking a service for a spin is uncomplicated and costs nothing. The trial windows are cursory (normally 7 days) only adequate.

Is cloud DVR space included?

Most streaming TV services that offer alive TV as well include cloud DVR storage with the package. Like a concrete DVR, though, they do take limits on infinite and time. Some give you as footling every bit 10 hours, while some "unlimited" options will save your Hoarders episodes backlog for only a few months. Ironic.

Does the service comport local channels?

You lot may not think near local channels much, but they deport the shows you love live from ABC, CBS, Trick, NBC, PBS, and The CW . If a streaming Tv set service doesn't carry local chapter channels, you could miss out on those shows, also as area sports, news, and conditions.

If these are of import to you, check the availability of local affiliates on streaming Goggle box services you're interested in. If they're not available, a digital antenna can make upwards the difference.

Are your streaming device and apps compatible?

Equally we mentioned above, setting up and trying out a streaming Television set service is as like shooting fish in a barrel every bit downloading an app—but is that app available on your preferred set-top box or mobile devices? About services reviewed here are available as smart TV apps, though we recommend streaming devices like Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, and Roku for amend stability and performance.

Final take: YouTube Television is the live TV streamer to beat

For overall channel inclusion, features, and performance, we recollect Youtube Television receiver is more worth its $64.99-a-calendar month price tag—it'south the Cadillac (or Tesla, if y'all prefer) of live Tv streaming services. Hulu + Live TV is a shut second, and a great value when you gene in access to regular Hulu.

Philo is plainly the cheapest alive TV streaming service, even though information technology does accept some shortcomings. On the other end of the price spectrum, fuboTV is a killer service for sports fans, and DIRECTV STREAM has its perks, likewise—namely, fat channel lineups and all the RSNs. At $55 a month, channel-loaded newbie live Goggle box streamer Vidgo is as well worth a look.

Methodology

Our experts employed thousands of hours of hands-on testing and crunched the numbers, rating these live Goggle box streaming services on bang for your buck, reliability, features, and customer satisfaction. Then we matched up the live Boob tube streamers head to head to requite a clearer moving-picture show of their strengths and weaknesses. For more information on our methodology, check out our How Nosotros Rank page.

Live Goggle box streaming FAQ

What'southward the deviation between live Telly streaming and on-demand streaming TV?

With live Goggle box streaming, the operative discussion is "live"—it's programming that'due south being broadcast right at present on Idiot box networks. It's the aforementioned as cable or satellite Tv set service, just streamed through the cyberspace.

"On-need" streaming means shows and movies can be called upwards whenever you want to scout them—as with Netflix, the biggest on-demand platform effectually (well, that and YouTube). Shows recorded with a physical or cloud DVR could also technically be chosen "on-demand."

Do I need a fast internet connection for live Telly streaming?

Whether it'due south on-demand or live Goggle box streaming, most services recommend a blank minimum of 7 Mbps of internet speed for streaming. Simply that speed is adequate only for a unmarried stream and assumes that no one else is using the network at the aforementioned time—an unlikely scenario.

We recommend at least 25 Mbps of internet speed for smooth, non-buffered streaming and at least double that for 4K resolution or a household of multiple users (especially gamers).

Do sports blackouts apply to live Television receiver streaming?

Unfortunately, blackouts for games in certain regions apply to live TV streaming just as they do for cable or satellite. It's an understandable dominion to protect local broadcasters and franchises from major network competition, simply it still sucks come game time.

You lot tin, all the same, get around local blackouts with live Tv set streaming—if your service and apps function with a location-masking VPN (virtual private network). It's not a one-size-fits-all solution, just it volition work in some cases.

What is streaming TV?

Live Tv set streaming (and on-demand TV streaming) is television programming delivered over the net instead of through traditional cable TV lines or satellite Television set signals. In most cases, live streaming TV looks and functions the same as cablevision or satellite Tv, minus numbered channels.

Which streaming services accept local channels?

Live Boob tube streaming services YouTube Tv set, Hulu + Live Tv set, fuboTV, Sling Telly, DIRECTV STREAM, and Vidgo carry local channels in almost areas (coverage varies by location). Philo and Frndly TV carry no local channels.