The 5 Best Live TV Streaming Services You Need in 2025

• Number of channels: 90+
• Simultaneous screens: Unlimited
• Offline viewing: No

Pros

If you're looking to replace cable with something that's genuinely catered to all live TV lovers, DIRECTV STREAM is one of the strongest options out there. It carries most of the channels you'd expect from traditional cable, including sports-heavy options like ESPN, FOX Sports, and NBA TV. It also includes unlimited DVR storage, which allows you to pause, rewind, and fast-forward your recordings as needed.

DIRECTV STREAM also offers four main plans, ranging from 90+ to 185+ channels, with local networks included in every tier. If you're craving even more customization, the brand-new Genre Packs are a game changer. These add-on bundles give you curated collections of content for specific interests. Notably, the MyEntertainment pack includes over 50 popular channels like FX, Bravo, Discovery, HGTV, and Food Network — and even comes with subscriptions to Disney+, Hulu (With Ads), and HBO Max Basic included in the price.

While it's a premium service, it also comes with a massive variety of premium add-ons, such as STARZ, MGM+, Paramount+ Premium (previously named Paramount+ with SHOWTIME), and Cinemax. In many cases, these are free for the first three months, giving you a chance to test-drive your ideal setup.

Pricing may vary depending on your location, but all packages let you watch live and on demand through the DIRECTV App.

Cons

DIRECTV STREAM gives you a cable-like experience, but the cost can add up quickly if you want more than just the base Entertainment package. While the Entertainment plan starts with 90+ channels, upgrading to higher tiers like Choice ($99/month), Ultimate ($110/month), or Premier ($155/month) puts you well into traditional cable pricing territory.

Also, while you do get unlimited screens, this is only available on your home network. If you want to watch while at someone else's place, you only get three simultaneous screens at once.

Still, if you're looking for a full-spectrum cable alternative with the option to personalize your setup, DIRECTV STREAM delivers — but not on the cheap.

What to Watch on DIRECTV STREAM

DIRECTV STREAM crushes it with a huge variety of live and on-demand content across its base packages and add-ons. You'll get access to local channels like ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX, along with cable staples like Disney Channel (for the kiddos), Discovery, Bravo, and Food Network. Sports fans can catch NFL, NBA, and MLB action across ESPN, regional sports networks (RSNs), and specialty channels like TUDN, NHL Network, and Big Ten Network, depending on your plan.

Thanks to the MyEntertainment Genre Pack, you can also stream FX, HGTV, A&E, and more. And, don't forget, with subscriptions to Disney+, Hulu (With Ads), and HBO Max Basic bundled in. That alone can help offset the cost, especially if you already subscribe to those services separately. No need to pay separately.

Need Spanish-language content or a news-focused lineup? The MiEspañol and MyNews genre packs offer over 60 channels and 10+ major news outlets respectively, including Univision, Telemundo, CNN, FOX News, and MSNBC.

If you're craving flexibility with premium content and a deep channel lineup, DIRECTV STREAM can easily match (or potentially outshine) your old cable setup.

Overview

• Number of channels: 95+
• Simultaneous screens: Two
• Offline viewing: Yes

Pros

Hulu + Live TV offers a well-balanced mix of live TV, on-demand content, and premium streaming in a single, streamlined package. For $82.99/month, you'll get live access to major sports, local news, and popular networks — along with the full Disney+ library and ESPN+ for live and exclusive sports coverage. You can stream fan-favorite originals like The Handmaid's Tale, The Bear, Only Murders in the Building, plus exclusive Hulu movies like Prey and Fire Island.

You'll also be among the first to catch buzz-worthy shows shortly after they drop in the U.K. — yes, that includes Love Island UK, typically landing on Hulu just a few days after airing. And for those who want even fewer interruptions, there's an upgraded Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV plan with Disney+ (No Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads) for $95.99/month.

While Hulu + Live TV has fewer channels than DIRECTV STREAM, it makes up for that with a simplified one-plan structure. This means no tier-hopping to get what you want. And best of all? You get a three-day free trial, so you can test it all out before committing.

Cons

Though Hulu + Live TV keeps things streamlined, some features require additional fees. If you want more than two simultaneous streams or premium channels like SHOWTIME or STARZ, those are sold separately. There's also now an option to add HBO Max, but once you factor in those extras, the total cost can inch closer to what you'd pay for cable, especially if you're building out a premium-packed bundle.

And while you do get the Disney Bundle included, ads may still appear in select live and linear content, even on the ad-free plans.

What to watch on Hulu + Live TV

Hulu + Live TV gives sports fans access to NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college sports, and more, all powered in part by ESPN and ESPN+ programming. But there's plenty beyond the field too. From Hulu Originals like Palm Springs, A Murder at the End of the World, Nine Perfect Strangers, and A Teacher to major network hits from ABC and FX that stream the next day (yes, that includes The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, and Bachelor in Paradise), you'll always have something new to binge.

And for those comparing services: while some DIRECTV STREAM plans include the Disney Bundle (like its MyEntertainment pack), Hulu + Live TV bundles in more channels and streaming perks at a lower price point, especially if the Disney+ and ESPN+ access tickles your fancy.

• Number of channels: 230+
• Simultaneous screens: Unlimited
• Offline viewing: No

Pros

If you're a sports fan, Fubo was practically made for you. With over 230 channels in the Pro plan and up to 305 channels in the Elite plan, this is one of the most expansive live TV streaming services available — especially when it comes to sports. Not only does Fubo include ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, Big Ten Network, NFL Network, and NBC Golf, but it also offers regional coverage of NBA, NHL, and MLB games, something few platforms can match. Fubo even carries FanDuel Sports Network channels in select markets, which is a rarity in the streaming world.

You'll also find plenty of non-sports favorites like Disney Channel, FX, HGTV, MSNBC, and more. And if you're willing to go all-in, the Elite plan adds 4K streaming and a whopping 305 channels, which is the most of any major streaming service. You'll also get a five-day free trial to try it out, and streaming on unlimited screens at home (and up to ten on the go) makes Fubo a solid pick for big households or shared accounts.

Fubo's sports add-ons are perfect for superfans. From MLB.TV (with every out-of-market game live) to DAZN (packed with boxing and fight sports), these premium add-ons crank the sports coverage up to 11. Both include unlimited DVR and over 100 extra free channels.

Fubo's pricing starts at $84.99/month for the Pro plan, with Elite at $94.99/month after your first month. Discounts vary depending on the promo, so you may be able to try your first month at a lower rate — sometimes as low as $64.99 or $74.99, depending on the plan.

Cons

Fubo isn't without a few limitations. For starters, there's no offline viewing, so you'll need a steady internet connection to stream, which is not ideal for frequent travelers. Regional restrictions may also affect which local channels (like ABC, CBS, and FOX) are available in your area.

And while the add-ons are great, costs can creep up fast if you're bundling multiple sports packages. Also, to claim offers like the free Apple TV 4K, you'll need to commit to the Elite plan for 12 months.

What to Watch on Fubo

With Fubo, sports take center stage. You'll find all your go-tos, NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, PGA, college sports, plus major events like the Super Bowl, World Series, Triple Crown, and more. It's also the ideal hub for fight fans, thanks to the DAZN add-on offering access to over 150 fights annually.

For baseball lovers, MLB.TV via Fubo includes 31 channels and every out-of-market game, streaming live and in-market blackout-free. And if you just want to channel surf? Fubo gives you 100+ additional free channels through its sports add-ons alone.

With unmatched sports coverage, optional 4K streaming, and the ability to stream on unlimited home devices, Fubo is the ultimate live TV streaming service for sports lovers.

• Number of channels: 65+
• Simultaneous screens: One to four
• Offline viewing: No

Pros

Sling TV is a solid pick if you're looking to save some cash and don't need a massive channel lineup. The Orange and Blue plans let you pick the kind of content you care about — Orange leans more into sports and family stuff like ESPN and Disney Channel, while Blue is geared toward news and entertainment with channels like FOX, NBC, and FX.

You can also combine both plans for $33/month right now (normally $65.99/month), which is a pretty sweet deal. Sling runs discounts all the time, but they change often and prices can vary depending on where you live, so it's worth checking what's available in your area.

Every plan comes with 50 hours of DVR storage and access to a decent chunk of on-demand content. It also works on most popular devices — think Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox — so you're probably already set up. One cool bonus is Sling's Watch Party feature, where you can stream shows with up to three friends, even if they don't have Sling. Perfect for movie nights when your group chat isn't all on the same subscription.

Cons

The biggest drawback with Sling is the channel count. Orange gives you 34 channels, Blue gives you 47, and even when you bundle them, you're only getting 53 total. That's way fewer than what you'd get with Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, or DIRECTV STREAM, which all offer 90 to over 180 channels depending on the plan.

Local channels can also be hit or miss. FOX and NBC are included in Blue, but they're not available all across the country. ABC is even harder to find, meaning you might not even see it in the lineup if you're in a lot of places. So, if local news and programming are important to you, Sling TV might not have what you need. Also, there's no offline viewing, so you'll need to be connected to Wi-Fi or data to watch anything.

What to Watch on Sling TV

Even with fewer channels, Sling still does offer a few big ones. Sling Orange gives you ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, Disney Channel, and Freeform, which is pretty awesome if you're into sports or family programming. Sling Blue caters to those into FX, FS1, and USA Network. Both plans also include go-to favorites like CNN, HGTV, AMC, Comedy Central, and more.

If you're someone who mostly sticks to a few favorite networks and wants to avoid overpaying for stuff you don't watch, Sling's a budget-friendly way to stay connected to live TV. Just don't expect everything with this one.

• Number of channels: 70+
• Simultaneous screens: Three
• Offline viewing: No

Pros

If you're looking to seriously cut down on your streaming bill without losing your favorite comfort shows, Philo is kind of a dream. For $28/month, you get over 70 live channels, a huge on-demand library, and unlimited DVR. You can create up to 10 different profiles too, which makes it super easy to share with family, roommates, or whoever else still uses your login.

There's also a seven-day free trial, so you can poke around and see what the vibe is before paying anything. And the add-ons? They're super affordable and genuinely useful. You can expand your lineup with AMC+, which includes Shudder, IFC Films Unlimited, Sundance Now, and, of course, all things The Walking Dead. You'll also find tons of STARZ channels, MGM+, Hallmark Movies, Sony Movies, and more tucked into the add-on menu.

We honestly can't believe there's a live TV option this cheap that still gives you access to networks like MTV, TLC, Food Network, A&E, and Discovery. If your weekly rotation includes shows like RuPaul's Drag Race, this one's worth looking at.

Cons

The biggest trade-off with Philo is that it doesn't include any local channels or live sports. So if you're trying to watch your hometown news or catch Sunday football, this isn't the service for that. It's also not really trying to be a full-on cable replacement the way something like DIRECTV STREAM is.

Another thing to know: while there's a ton of content, Philo doesn't offer original programming like Hulu or Netflix, so you're sticking to existing network content and rewatch favorites.

What to Watch on Philo

This is a solid choice for fans of reality TV, lifestyle programming, and drama-heavy binge material. Think RuPaul's Drag Race on MTV, marathons of 90 Day Fiancé on TLC, or deep dives into true crime on ID. Plus, the on-demand library is stacked (over 75,000 titles) so there's always something to throw on.

If you want to build it out a bit, add-ons like AMC+, STARZ, and MGM+ open up even more shows and movies without sending your monthly bill through the roof. Honestly, if you're looking to keep things affordable but still want that cozy, scroll-through-a-ton-of-channels experience, Philo nails it.