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Title: The best live TV streaming services to cut cable in 2025

Date: Thu, 01 May 2025 18:55:39 +0000
Link: https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/stream...

The question of whether a live TV streaming service beats cable was once easy
to answer with a resounding yes ΓÇö streaming was much cheaper, didnΓÇÖt
involve contracts and required no special equipment, just a smart TV and an
internet connection. While theyΓÇÖre still contract-free and donΓÇÖt need a
dish or cable box, the monetary savings you get with live TV streaming
services have shrunk considerably. Currently, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV,
Fubo and DirecTV all start at more than $80 monthly.

Still, in many cases, that works out to less than cable plans and live TV
streaming is also one of the simplest ways to watch local channels, live
sports and a wide array of top-end linear channels. We tested out all the
major providers to help you find the best live TV streaming service and get
the most bang for your cord-cutting buck. This guide also breaks down what
the subscriptions offer and suggests a few alternatives and free options as
well.

Table of contents

Best live TV streaming services for 2025

Best free live TV streaming services for 2025

What to look for in a live TV streaming service

How we tested

Live TV Streaming FAQs

Recent updates

Best live TV streaming services for 2025

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Best free live TV streaming services for 2025

There are plenty of ways to get free TV these days. To start, many standard
streaming apps have added live components to their lineups. YouΓÇÖre paying
for the service, so itΓÇÖs not technically ΓÇ£free,ΓÇ¥ but you can get a dose
of live TV without spending more than necessary. Peacock includes some
regional NBC stations, and notably access to the 2024 Summer Olympic Games.
Paramount+ subscribers can watch on-air CBS programming. The standard Hulu
app has a live ABC news channel and Max now includes a live CNN outlet with
its service, along with cable-like linear channels.

The smart TV operating system (OS) you use likely provides free live content
too: AmazonΓÇÖs Fire TV interface has a live tab and RokuΓÇÖs built-in Roku
Channel includes hundreds of live channels at no extra cost. The same goes
for Samsung TV Plus, which added a trove of K-dramas to its free live and on-
demand lineup in 2024. The PBS app offers local live streams of its channels
ΓÇö even NASA has a free streaming service with live coverage.

But for a full suite of live TV networks, and donΓÇÖt want to sign up for any
paid service, there are a number of free ad-supported TV services that have
live TV. Even cable company DirecTV has joined the crowd with MyFree, and
Fubo Free lets customers with a lapsed subscription keep watching some
content. Here's the best of the live TV streaming services we tried:

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What to look for in a live TV streaming service How to stream live TV

Streaming live TV is a lot like using Netflix. You get access through apps on
your phone, tablet, smart TV or streaming device and the signal arrives over
the internet. A faster and more stable connection tends to give you a better
experience. Most live TV apps require you to sign up and pay via a web
browser. After that, you can activate the app on all of your devices.

Monthly Price

When I started testing these cord-cutting alternatives, I was struck by the
price difference between live TV and a standard video streaming app. Where
the latter cost between $5 and $20 per month, most live TV services hit the
$80 mark and can go higher than $200 with additional perks, channel packages
and premium extras. The higher starting price is mostly due to the cost of
providing multiple networks ΓÇö particularly sports and local stations. And,
in the past year or so, every service except Sling has raised base plan
prices.

Local channels

Only two of the services I tried donΓÇÖt include full local channel coverage
for subscribers and one of those makes no effort to carry sports at all. That
would be Philo and, as you might guess, itΓÇÖs the cheapest. The next most
affordable option, Sling, only carries three local stations ΓÇö and only in
larger markets ΓÇö but it still manages to include some of the top sports
channels.

When you sign up with any provider that handles local TV, youΓÇÖll enter your
zip code, ensuring you get your areaΓÇÖs broadcast affiliates for ABC, CBS,
FOX and NBC. Of course, you can also get those stations for free. Nearly all
modern television sets support a radio frequency (RF) connection, also known
as the coaxial port, which means if you buy an HD antenna, youΓÇÖll receive
locally broadcast stations like ABC, CBS, PBS, FOX and NBC. And since the
signal is digital, reception is much improved over the staticky rabbit-ears
era.

Live sports coverage

One reality that spun my head was the sheer number and iterations of sports
networks in existence. Trying to figure out which network will carry the
match-up you want to see can be tricky. I found that Google makes it a little
easier for sports fans by listing out upcoming games (just swap in NBA, NFL,
MLB, NHL and so on in the search bar). When you click an event, the ΓÇ£TV &
streamingΓÇ¥ button will tell you which network is covering it.

That just leaves figuring out if your chosen service carries the RSNs
(regional sports networks) you want. Unfortunately, even with add-ons and
extra packages, some providers simply donΓÇÖt have certain channels in their
lineups. It would take a lawyer to understand the ins and outs of streaming
rights negotiations, and networks leave and return to live TV carriers all
the time. That said, most major sporting events in the US are covered by
ESPN, Fox Sports, TNT, USA and local affiliates.

I should also point out that traditional streaming services have started
adding live sports to their lineups. Peacock carries live Premier League
matches, Sunday Night Football games and aired the 2024 Olympic Games from
Paris. Thursday Night Football as well as NBA and WNBA games are on Amazon
Prime and Christmas Day Football aired on Netflix. Max (formerly HBO Max) now
airs select, regular season games from the NHL, MLB, NCAA and NBA with a $10-
per-month add-on. You can watch MLS games with an add-on through the Apple TV
app, and Apple TV+ includes some MLB games. Roku users can watch the just-
added free sports channel and those who subscribe to Paramount Plus can see
many of the matches aired on CBS Sports, including live NFL games. This year,
even the Super Bowl was live-streamed for free on Tubi. While all of these
alternatives may not cover as much ground as live TV streamers, they could
end up being cheaper avenues to the sports you want.

And if sports is all youΓÇÖre after, there are sports-only plans that are a
touch cheaper too. While the promised sports streaming service from ESPN, Fox
and Warner Bros. called Venu was cancelled early this year, shortly after,
DirecTV announced a $70-per-month, sports-only streaming package called
MySports and Comcast now has a sports and news bundle for the same price (as
long as you're an Xfinity customer with auto-pay, otherwise it's more
expensive).

Traditional cable networks

Dozens of linear programming networks were once only available with cable TV,
like Bravo, BET, Food Network, HGTV, CNN, Lifetime, SYFY and MTV. If you only
subscribe to, say, Netflix or Apple TV+, you wonΓÇÖt have access to those.
But as with sports, standard streamers are starting to incorporate this
content into their offerings. After the Warner Bros. merger, Max incorporated
some content from HGTV, Discovery and TLC. Peacock has Bravo and Hallmark
shows, and Paramount+ has material from Nickelodeon, MTV and Comedy Central.

Other channels like AMC+ have stand-alone apps. The Discovery+ app gives you
15 channels ad-free for $9 per month (or with ads for $5 monthly). And a
service called Frndly TV starts at a mere $7 per month and streams A&E,
Lifetime, Game Show Network, Outdoor Channel and about 35 others. Of course,
most live TV streaming options will deliver more sizable lists of cable
networks, but just note that you may already be paying for some of them ΓÇö
and if all you need is a certain channel, you could get it cheaper by
subscribing directly.

On-demand streaming

Most live TV subscriptions include access to a selection of video-on-demand
(VOD) content, like you would get with a traditional streaming service. Much
of this content is made up of the movies and TV series that have recently
aired on your subscribed networks. This typically doesnΓÇÖt cover live events
and news programming, but I was able to watch specific episodes of ongoing
shows like Top Chef or BETΓÇÖs Diarra from Detroit. Just search the on-demand
library for the program, pick an episode and hit play.

Partnerships, like HuluΓÇÖs relationship with Disney, and add-ons, such as
bundling Max with your YouTube TV subscription or Starz with your Sling plan,
will let you watch even larger libraries of on-demand content. But again, if
VOD is all youΓÇÖre after, paying for those networks directly instead of
through a live TV plan will be far cheaper.

Digital video recordings (DVR) limits

Every option I tried offers some cloud DVR storage without needing a separate
physical device. YouΓÇÖll either get unlimited storage for recordings that
expires after nine months or a year, or youΓÇÖll get a set number of hours
(between 50 and 1,000) that you can keep indefinitely. Typically, all you
need to do is designate what ongoing TV series you want to record and the DVR
component will do all the hard work of saving subsequent episodes for you to
watch later. You can do the same thing with sports events.

Aside from being able to watch whenever itΓÇÖs most convenient, you can also
fast-forward through commercials in recorded content. In contrast, you
canΓÇÖt skip them on live TV or VOD.

Simultaneous streams and profiles per account

Each plan gives you a certain number of simultaneous streams, aka how many
screens can play content at the same time. And while most providers will let
you travel with your subscription, there are usually location restrictions
that require you to sign in from your home IP address periodically. Stream
allowances range from one at a time to unlimited screens (or as many as your
ISPΓÇÖs bandwidth can handle). Some plans require add-ons to get more
screens.

Most services also let you set up a few profiles so I was able to give
different people in my family the ability to build their own watch histories
and libraries, set their favorite channels and get individual
recommendations.

Picture-in-picture mode and multiview

Picture-in-picture (PiP) usually refers to shrinking a video window on a
mobile device or computer browser so you can watch it while using other apps.
Sling, YouTube TV, FuboTV, Philo, DirecTV Stream and Hulu + Live TV all have
PiP modes on computers and mobile devices. Another feature, multiview, lets
you view multiple live sports games at once on your TV screen. YouTube TV and
FuboTV are the only live TV streamers that let you do this. With YouTube TV,
you can select up to four views from a few preset selection of streams.
FuboTV offers the same feature, but only if you're using an Apple TV or Roku
streaming device.

4K live streams

Right now, just FuboTV, YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream offer 4K live streams
ΓÇö but with caveats. YouTube TV requires a $20-per-month add-on, after which
youΓÇÖll only be able to watch certain live content in 4K. DirecTV Stream has
three channels that show live 4K content ΓÇö one with shows and original
series, and two with occasional sporting events. You donΓÇÖt have to pay
extra for these but you do need to have either DirecTVΓÇÖs Gemini receiver,
or a device from Fire TV, Apple TV or Roku. YouΓÇÖll need those same
streaming devices to watch the select 4K programming on Sling as well. FuboTV
shows certain live events in 4K but access is limited to the Elite and
Premier packages, not the base-level Pro plan.

Of course, watching any 4K content also requires equipment that can handle
it: a 4K smart TV or 4K streaming device paired with a cord and screen that
can handle 4K resolution.

Tiers, packages and add-ons

Comparing price-to-offering ratios is a task for a spreadsheet. I… made
three. The base plans range from $28 to $85 per month. From there, you can
add packages, which are usually groups of live TV channels bundled by themes
like news, sports, entertainment or international content. Premium VOD extras
like Max, AMC+ and Starz are also available. Add-ons cost an extra $5 to $20
each per month and simply show up in the guide where you find the rest of
your live TV. This is where streaming can quickly get expensive, pushing an
$80 subscription to $200 monthly, depending on what you choose.

How to stream live TV for free

I also downloaded and tried out a few apps that offer free ad-supported TV
(FAST) including Freevee, Tubi, PlutoTV and Sling Freestream. These let you
drop in and watch a more limited selection of live networks at zero cost.
Most donΓÇÖt even require an email address, let alone a credit card. And if
you have a Roku device, an Amazon Fire TV or Stick, a Samsung TV, a
Chromecast device or a Google TV, you already have access to hundreds of live
channels via the Roku Channel, the live tab in Fire TV, through the Samsung
TV Plus app or through Google TV.

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How we tested

When I begin testing for a guide, I research the most popular and well-
reviewed players in the category and narrow down which are worth trying. For
the paid plans, just six services dominate so I tried them all. There are
considerably more free live TV contenders so I tested the four most popular.
After getting accounts set up using my laptop, I downloaded the apps on a
Samsung smart TV running the latest version of Tizen OS. I counted the local
stations and regional sports coverage, and noted how many of the top cable
networks were available. I then weighed the prices, base packages and
available add-ons.

I then looked at how the programming was organized in each appΓÇÖs UI and
judged how easy everything was to navigate, from the top navigation to the
settings. To test the search function, I searched for the same few TV shows
on BET, Food Network, HGTV and Comedy Central, since all six providers carry
those channels. I noted how helpful the searches were and how quickly they
got me to season 6, episode 13 of Home Town.

I used DVR to record entire series and single movies and watched VOD shows,
making sure to test the pause and scan functions. On each service with
sports, I searched for the same four upcoming NHL, NBA, MLS and NCAA
basketball matches and used the record option to save the games and play them
back a day or two later. Finally, I noted any extra perks or irritating
quirks.

All live TV streaming services weΓÇÖve tested:

Philo

Sling

YouTube TV

Hulu + Live TV

DirecTV Stream

FuboTV

Freevee

Tubi

PlutoTV

Sling Freestream

Plex

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Live TV Streaming FAQs What is live streaming?

Streaming simply refers to video content that is delivered to your screen
over the internet. Live streaming can be split into two categories: linear
programming and simultaneous transmission. That first one is similar to what
you get with cable or broadcast TV, with channels that play a constant flow
of movies and shows (sort of what TV looked like before Netflix).
Simultaneous streaming lets you watch live events (like a basketball game) or
a program (like the evening news) as they happen.

What is the difference between streaming and live streaming?

Standard streaming, the most popular example being Netflix, lets you pick
what you want to watch from a menu of choices. ItΓÇÖs also referred to as
ΓÇ£video on demand.ΓÇ¥ Live streaming refers to sports and news events that
you can stream as they happen in real time. It also refers to channels that
show a continuous, linear flow of programming.

What streaming service is best for live TV?

FuboTV does the best job of letting you organize live channels to help you
find just what you want to watch. The interface is uncluttered and when you
search for something, the UI clearly tells you whether something is live now
or on-demand. YouTube TV also does a good job making that info clear. Both
have just over 100 live channels on offer.

What is the most cost effective TV streaming service?

Free TV streaming services like PlutoTV, Plex, Tubi and FreeVee show plenty
of ad-supported TV shows and movies without charging you anything. Of course,
they wonΓÇÖt have the same channels or content that more premium
subscriptions have. Ultimately it depends on what you want to watch and
finding the service that can supply that to you in the most streamlined form
so youΓÇÖre not paying for stuff you donΓÇÖt need.

Is it cheaper to have cable or streaming?

A basic cable package used to be more expensive than the base-level live TV
streaming service. But now that nearly all major providers have raised their
prices to over $75 per month, thatΓÇÖs no longer the case. And with add-ons
and other premiums, you can easily pay over $200 a month for either cable or
a live TV streaming service.

What streaming service has all the TV channels?

No service that we tested had every available channel. Hulu + Live TV and
DirecTV Stream carry the the highest number of the top rated channels,
according to Neilsen. HuluΓÇÖs service also gets you Disney+ fare, which you
canΓÇÖt get elsewhere. FuboTV has the most sports channels and YouTube TV
gives you the widest selection of add-ons.

What is the most popular live TV streaming platform?

YouTube TV has the most paying customers. According to 2024's letter from the
CEO, the service has over eight million subscribers. DisneyΓÇÖs 2024 third
quarter earnings put the Hulu + Live TV viewer count at 4.6 million.
SlingΓÇÖs customer count dipped from two million to about 1.9 million in 2024
and FuboTV grew its subscriber list to 1.6 million.

How safe are free streaming services and websites?

You may have heard certain sites that provide free content can be dangerous,
leading to stolen info and/or exposing you to malware. ThatΓÇÖs likely in
reference to certain peer-to-peer (P2P) networks and file-sharing sites that
let people download free movies and series ΓÇö which can come bundled with
malicious code.

But if youΓÇÖre talking about the free ad-supported streaming television
(FAST) services listed here, from providers like PlutoTV, Tubi and Freevee,
they are just as safe as any other streaming service. Since you sometimes
donΓÇÖt even have to provide your email address or credit card info, they can
even be more anonymous than apps that require login credentials.

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Recent updates

January 31, 2025: Added information about which streaming service would live-
stream the Super Bowl, including TubiΓÇÖs free option. Updated FuboΓÇÖs
pricing. Added details about DirectTV StreamΓÇÖs sports-only package and
ComcastΓÇÖs sports and news bundle.

January 16, 2025: Included higher prices for SlingΓÇÖs Orange and Blue plans.
Noted the demise of the never-launched Venu sports streaming service and
mentioned the inclusion of DirecTVΓÇÖs new sports package.

December 31, 2024: Noted increased pricing for YouTube TV, Hulu+ Live TV and
DirecTV. Updated information for 4K streaming capabilities and requirements
for multiple services. Reported on the upcoming shut down of AmazonΓÇÖs
Freevee service and the addition of DirecTVΓÇÖs free service.

August 6, 2024: Updated with the addition of Plex as a free live TV streaming
recommendation and mentioned the additional free channels Philo is now
including with the free version of its service. Added pricing information for
ESPN's new sports-only streaming service, Venu.

June 12, 2024: Updated with more information about 4K live streaming, picture-
in-picture and multiview modes, as well as video on-demand options. We
expanded our recommendations around free live TV streaming services and added
a FAQ query about the safety of free streaming services and clarified the
difference between standard and live streaming. More traditional streaming
services have added live and sports components, so we revised that section
accordingly.

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This article originally appeared on Engadget at
https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/stream...
service-133000410.html?src=rss

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