Live TV Streaming Services in 2025: The Best Options for Cord-Cutters We still believe a live TV streaming service is a better deal than traditional cable, but the price gap between the two is not as wide as it once was. With many major providers now costing over $80 per month, the savings are less dramatic. However, the benefits remain: no long-term contracts, relatively simple pricing, and no special equipment needed beyond a smart TV and an internet connection. After testing all the major players, YouTube TV stands out as the most well-rounded service. But the streaming landscape is shifting, with new offerings from ESPN and Fox, and the upcoming consolidation of Hulu into Disney. We are evaluating these new services and will update our recommendations accordingly. For now, here are the best live TV streaming services we have tested. YouTube TV remains our top pick. It offers a robust channel lineup that includes all major local broadcast networks in most areas, a superb unlimited cloud DVR, and an intuitive interface. It supports user profiles and features like multiview for watching several streams at once. Recent developments include a new multi-year agreement with NBCUniversal, ensuring channels like NBC and Bravo remain available. FuboTV is the best choice for sports fans. It started as a soccer-centric service but has expanded to offer a comprehensive sports lineup, including many regional sports networks. It also provides a solid selection of entertainment and news channels. A new, cheaper Fubo Sports package is now available, and the service includes features like 4K streaming and multiview on supported devices. Hulu + Live TV is a great option for those who want a vast on-demand library alongside live channels. Your subscription bundles in the entire Hulu streaming catalog, plus Disney+ and ESPN+. This makes it a strong value for families. Be aware that a price increase is coming, bringing the base plan to $90 per month. DIRECTV STREAM offers a channel lineup that will feel most familiar to former cable subscribers, including a wide array of regional sports networks often missing from other streamers. Its interface is polished, and it now includes a multiview feature. The main drawback is the higher starting price. Sling TV is the budget-friendly champion. By separating channels into two main packages, Orange and Blue, starting at $40 each or $60 for both, it allows you to pay for only what you want. Sling Orange is home to ESPN channels, while Sling Blue carries channels like Fox and NBC. It lacks comprehensive local channel coverage, making a digital antenna a useful companion. Philo is the most affordable paid option at $28 per month, but you get what you pay for. It focuses entirely on entertainment and lacks news, sports, and local channels. It’s a simple, cost-effective solution if your viewing is limited to networks like AMC, MTV, and Discovery. A recent $5 price hike did come with the addition of HBO Max and Discovery+. How to Stream Live NFL Games Watching NFL games requires navigating a complex web of network rights. Most Sunday games air on CBS/Paramount+ and Fox/Fox One. NBC/Peacock hosts Sunday Night Football, Prime Video has Thursday night games, and ABC/ESPN covers Monday night matchups. A few games are exclusive to the NFL Network, and Netflix will stream the Christmas day games. To see all out-of-market Sunday games, you need the NFL Sunday Ticket, now exclusive to YouTube TV. Most paid live TV services like YouTube TV, Fubo, and Hulu + Live TV include the local broadcast channels you need for most games. For a free option, a digital antenna can pull in your local CBS, Fox, NBC, and ABC stations for over-the-air games in your area. Best Free Live TV Streaming Services If you want to cut costs entirely, free ad-supported TV (FAST) services are a great option. These apps offer hundreds of live channels and on-demand content without a subscription. Tubi offers a massive library of on-demand movies and TV shows, plus a growing selection of live channels, all for free with ads. The content is well-organized and easy to browse. Plex is known as a media server platform, but its free ad-supported streaming section is excellent. It provides a curated selection of live channels and on-demand movies, with a clean and user-friendly interface. Sling Freestream is the free tier from Sling TV, offering over 400 live channels and 40,000 on-demand titles. The channel lineup is impressive for a free service, including news and entertainment options. Pluto TV, owned by Paramount, features a strong lineup of live channels that mimic a traditional cable guide, plus a large on-demand library. It is one of the most established and reliable free services. What to Look For in a Service When choosing a service, consider the monthly price, which now often starts around $80. Check for local channel availability, as this is crucial for news and sports. Sports fans must verify that their service carries the necessary regional and national sports networks. Also, evaluate the cloud DVR storage limits, the number of simultaneous streams allowed, and the overall user interface. Many services offer free trials, so you can test them before committing. The world of live TV streaming is more dynamic than ever. While prices are rising, the flexibility and lack of contracts still make these services a compelling alternative to cable for many viewers.
