Start free: an antenna gets local stations at no cost, and Sling Freestream has 600+ free ad-supported channels. For paid live TV, YouTube TV is the best overall at $82.99 a month with 100+ channels, locals in over 98% of US TV households and unlimited DVR, while Philo is the cheapest at $25 a month without sports or locals. Choose by whether your local channels and must-have sports networks are included, then compare the price after the promo ends.
This guide is for anyone dropping cable or satellite who still wants live channels. Live TV streaming services carry many of the same networks as cable, with no box rental or contract, but prices now run close to cable for the full lineups.
The biggest differences are local channels, sports networks, DVR limits and how long the intro price lasts. A cheap service plus an antenna can cover most needs for far less.
Below are our picks, a price and free trial table, a checklist, and the free options worth trying first.
Free options: an antenna and free streaming channels
Before paying for live TV, check what you can get for free.
- An antenna. Local broadcast stations air free over the air. The FCC’s DTV Reception Maps show which stations reach your address and how strong the signal is. Pair an antenna with a cheap service like Philo to cover locals and cable channels.
- Free ad-supported channels. Sling Freestream lists 600+ free live channels with free DVR, and it is not a trial. Philo also lists free channels on its site.
- Rescan when stations move. The FCC advises antenna users to rescan their TV when a station changes frequency.
What live TV streaming costs
| Service |
Monthly price |
Channels |
Free trial |
| Sling TV |
From $19.99; Orange or Blue $45.99 |
30+ to 40+ |
None |
| Philo |
$25 |
70+ |
7 days |
| YouTube TV |
$82.99 ($59.99 first 2 months) |
100+ |
10 days |
| Fubo |
$88.99 base plan |
Not published |
Yes, length not stated |
| DIRECTV |
$89.99 ($59.99 first month) |
90+ |
5 days |
| Hulu + Live TV |
$99.99 ($49.99 first month) |
100+ |
3 days |
Prices as listed October 2026. Add-ons for sports, Spanish channels and premium networks cost extra.
How to choose a live TV streaming service
- Check your locals. Enter your ZIP code on each service’s channel page. If locals are missing, an antenna can fill the gap.
- List your must-have channels. Sports fans need ESPN, FS1 or regional sports networks; others may be fine with Philo.
- Compare the price after promos. Most intro prices last 1 to 5 months.
- Check DVR terms. Unlimited DVR is common, but recordings expire after 9 to 12 months, and Sling includes only 50 hours.
- Use the free trial. Test streams on your own TV and internet before the first charge.
Recent changes: Fubo and Hulu + Live TV
On October 29, 2025, Disney and Fubo completed a deal combining Fubo with Hulu + Live TV. Disney owns about 70% of the combined company, which says it has nearly 6 million subscribers in North America. Disney says Fubo and Hulu + Live TV continue as separate services with their own plans, so you still choose one or the other.
Red flags when signing up
- A promo price shown large with the regular price in small print.
- Local channels advertised nationally but only available in some markets.
- DVR limits in hours, or recordings that expire.
- Promotions that say no refunds, so you cannot get money back if you cancel mid-month.
Other options we compared
Spectrum TV and Xfinity sell TV service that streams through their apps. Their official pages blocked our checks, so we could not confirm current prices for this update. See our Spectrum TV review and Xfinity TV review, and our internet providers guide for the connection you will stream on.
Terms to know
- vMVPD
- A virtual multichannel video programming distributor, a company that streams live TV channels over the internet.
- Local channels
- Broadcast stations such as ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC affiliates in your market.
- Cloud DVR
- Recording live TV to the provider's servers so you can watch later on any device.
- Regional sports network
- A channel that carries local pro and college teams' games in a region.
- FAST channels
- Free ad-supported streaming TV channels, such as those on Sling Freestream.
- Over-the-air antenna
- An antenna that picks up free local broadcast TV signals.
