Best Streaming Services: Live TV, Music & More in 2025
The Best Live TV Streaming Services for 2025
Ditching an expensive cable contract doesn’t mean giving up live TV. Video streaming services, such as Editors’ Choice winners Hulu and YouTube TV, deliver live channels via the internet, though they cater to different viewers. For example, some platforms are good for general audiences, others offer top sports channels, and a few focus on entertainment and lifestyle content.
Our tested options are available across many platforms, including phones, tablets, web browsers, gaming consoles, and media streaming devices. Although these services are on the pricier end of the streaming video spectrum, you may still spend less money per month than you did with cable. Besides the potential financial savings, these live TV services sometimes offer à la carte channel plans (though this flexibility is becoming rare). Whatever your reason for leaving cable behind, know that the number of live TV streaming options continues to rise.
Our Top Tested Picks
Top tested picks for TV streaming services along with their subscription prices for 2025:
You May Read
| Logo | Best For | Service | Details | Price (Monthly) |
 | A Mix of Live and On-Demand Content | Hulu | Available at Hulu | $10 (With Ads) |
 | Replacing Cable | YouTube TV | Available at YouTube TV | $82.99 |
 | Sports Fanatics | Fubo | Available at FuboTV | $85 (Essential) |
 | Entertainment and Lifestyle Channels | Philo | Available at Philo | $25 |
 | Add-On Channels | Sling TV | Available at Sling TV | $35 |
 | RSN Coverage | DirecTV Stream | Available at DirecTV Stream | $75 |
The Best Live Streaming Deals This Week*
- Paramount+ — Get Paramount+ With Showtime for $10 Per Month (Paid Annually)
- Sling TV — Half Off Your First Month for Sling Live TV Streaming Service
- Max — $8.33 Per Month for Max With Ads 1 Year Plan (Paid Annually)
- Peacock — Get 12 Months Peacock Premium for the Price of 10 Months ($79.99 Per Year)
- Disney+ — $16.99 Per Month for Disney+ Trio Base Plan, Includes Hulu and ESPN+
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Hulu (Best for a Mix of Live and On-Demand Content)
4.0 Excellent
Pros & Cons
- Excellent TV series selection
- Extensive live TV channel lineup
- Robust cloud DVR option
- Available on nearly every media streaming device
- Appealing bundle deals
- Base plan includes ads
- Offline downloads require a premium account
- Missing all Bally Sports and most SportsNet RSNs
Why We Picked Hulu?
Hulu is one of the best all-in-one services for cord cutters, given its diverse set of streaming options. In addition to a strong library of classic shows and a good selection of movies, Hulu has a robust live TV option (more than 70 channels of news, sports, and entertainment programming). After adding several Viacom channels to its lineup, including BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Hulu picked up NFL Network and NFL RedZone.
Who It’s For
Anyone seeking streaming convenience without abandoning traditional, live TV. Hulu’s basic on-demand streaming plan currently costs $9.99 per month, while the ad-free version is $18.99 per month. College students can get Hulu’s ad-supported version for $1.99 per month. The Hulu + Live TV plan costs $82.99 per month, and combines Hulu’s live TV service with the ad-supported streaming plan. All subscribers now enjoy unlimited Cloud DVR. You can also add the Unlimited Screens package (it allows an unlimited number of concurrent device streams in your home, and up to three outside of it) to your plan for $9.99 per month.
Specs & Configurations
- Starting Price : $9.99 per month; $81.99 per month
- Sports Coverage : International*, National, & Regional
- DVR Storage & Retention : Unlimited; 9 Months
- Concurrent Streams : 2 or Unlimited (at home) and 3 (mobile devices)
- On-Demand Movies and TV Shows : Yes
- 4K Live Streams : No
YouTube TV (Best for Replacing Cable)
4.0 Excellent
Pros & Cons
- Excellent lineup of sports, news, and entertainment channels
- Impressive viewing features for sports fans
- Robust and easy-to-use DVR features
- Intuitive interface
- Supports three simultaneous streams per account by default
- Excellent add-ons
- Expensive
- Lacks most SportsNet and all Bally Sports RSNs
Why We Picked It
YouTube TV offers an excellent selection of live sports and news channels, as well as many popular entertainment options. A few of the top networks available include ABC, AMC, CBS, CNN, Discovery, ESPN, Fox, FX, NBC, and PBS. Of course, this channel variety doesn’t come cheap; YouTube TV’s latest price hike raised the monthly subscription cost to $72.99 per month.
Who It’s For
YouTube TV is your best option for replacing cable. If YouTube TV’s library still doesn’t meet your needs, you can add other packages, such as Acorn TV, CuriosityStream, and NBA League Pass to your subscription. The Entertainment Plus package bundles HBO Max, Showtime, and Starz for $30 per month. YouTube TV’s 4K Plus add-on ($9.99 per month) unlocks 4K streaming, support for an unlimited number of simultaneous streams, and offline viewing of DVR content. With YouTube TV, you get unlimited cloud DVR storage, too. The service keeps your recordings for nine months, and you can stream your content from anywhere in the US. YouTube TV is currently testing a cool multiview feature that lets you check out four select channels at once.
Specs & Configurations
- Starting Price$82.99 per month
- Sports CoverageNational & Regional
- DVR Storage & RetentionUnlimited; 9 Months
- Concurrent Streams3 or Unlimited (at home)
- On-Demand Movies and TV Shows : Yes
- 4K Live Streams: No
Fubo
Rating: 4.0 Excellent
Pros & Cons:
- Excellent lineup of sports, news, and entertainment channels
- Impressive viewing features for sports fans
- Robust and easy-to-use DVR features
- Intuitive interface
- Supports three simultaneous streams per account by default
- Excellent add-ons
Cons:
- Expensive
- Lacks most SportsNet and all Bally Sports RSNs
Why We Picked It:
Fubo offers a comprehensive selection of live sports and entertainment channels, making it ideal for sports enthusiasts. Key networks include ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC, and more. However, its pricing is on the higher side, with a starting cost of $74.99 per month.
Who It’s For:
Fubo is perfect for sports fans looking for extensive coverage, especially for live events. Additional packages can enhance your viewing experience, catering to various interests.
Specs & Configurations:
- Starting Price: $74.99 per month
- Sports Coverage: National & Regional
- DVR Storage & Retention: 1,000 hours; 3 days
- Concurrent Streams: 3
- On-Demand Movies and TV Shows: Yes
- 4K Live Streams: Yes
Philo
Rating: 3.5 Good
Pros & Cons:
- Affordable pricing
- Great selection of entertainment and lifestyle channels
- Unlimited DVR storage
Cons:
- Limited sports coverage
- No local channels
Why We Picked It:
Philo is an affordable option for those who primarily watch entertainment and lifestyle content rather than sports. It offers channels like AMC, A&E, and Discovery at a competitive price of $25 per month.
Who It’s For:
Ideal for viewers who enjoy reality TV, documentaries, and series without the need for sports channels.
Specs & Configurations:
- Starting Price: $25 per month
- Sports Coverage: Limited
- DVR Storage & Retention: Unlimited; 30 days
- Concurrent Streams: 3
- On-Demand Movies and TV Shows: Yes
- 4K Live Streams: No
Sling TV
Rating: 3.5 Good
Pros & Cons:
- Flexible pricing with customizable channel packages
- Good selection of popular channels
- Affordable for basic cable replacement
Cons:
- Limited local channels
- Additional fees for premium channels
Why We Picked It:
Sling TV provides a flexible and affordable way to watch live TV, allowing users to choose from various packages. The starting price is $40 per month, which includes channels like CNN, AMC, and ESPN.
Who It’s For:
Great for viewers who want to customize their channel lineup and save on costs.
Specs & Configurations:
- Starting Price: $40 per month
- Sports Coverage: Limited
- DVR Storage & Retention: 50 hours; 30 days (with upgrade)
- Concurrent Streams: 1 (with upgrade)
- On-Demand Movies and TV Shows: Yes
- 4K Live Streams: No
DirecTV Stream
Rating: 4.0 Excellent
Pros & Cons:
- Wide range of channels including local networks
- Reliable streaming quality
- Strong sports coverage
Cons:
- Higher pricing tiers
- Complex interface
Why We Picked It:
DirecTV Stream offers a robust selection of channels, including local networks and sports, making it a solid choice for cord-cutters. The starting price is $74.99 per month.
Who It’s For:
Best for families or households needing a comprehensive channel lineup, especially for local news and sports.
Specs & Configurations:
- Starting Price: $74.99 per month
- Sports Coverage: National & Regional
- DVR Storage & Retention: 20 hours; 90 days
- Concurrent Streams: 20
- On-Demand Movies and TV Shows: Yes
- 4K Live Streams: Yes
Buying Guide: The Best Live TV Streaming Services for 2025
Network Shows, News, and More
So long as the video streaming service you choose offers affiliate broadcast channels in your market, you can watch your favorite network shows from the likes of ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC. Most of the services here, including YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV, host these networks. YouTube TV is the only service we’ve reviewed that includes local PBS channels.
Other television channels aren’t dependent on your geographic location. Philo is an excellent option for watching such entertainment networks, including AMC, Animal Planet, Food Network, HGTV, Lifetime, Nickelodeon, and Travel Channel. Many video streaming services with entertainment channels also include on-demand content from channels you can watch at your leisure and record to DVR storage. Other services combine live TV with more traditional on-demand libraries. A subscription to Hulu + Live TV, for instance, lets you watch all the shows and movies from Hulu’s on-demand service, including its original shows.
Although news channels may not be the primary way people stay informed about the world these days, they are still a good resource for live coverage of national and international events. For complete news coverage, make sure the service you choose includes both commercial broadcast affiliates (ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC) and cable news channels (such as BBC America, CNN, CNBC, Fox News, and MSNBC). Some services also include news networks not based in the US, such as BBC World News. For instance, DirecTV Stream, Fubo, and Sling TV offer international channels, but you must pay extra for some of them.
Some services claim to offer “live TV,” while really just offering 24/7 online marathons of preprogrammed existing material. We skipped those. Every service covered here is truly live.
Stream Live Sports
To watch all the sports you previously could with your cable subscription, consult our roundup of the best sports streaming services. When picking a service, verify that it carries all the channels you want to watch in your area, including regional sports networks (RSNs) for coverage of local MLB, NBA, and NHL teams. Most services offer the NBC Sports RSNs. DirecTV Stream offers Bally Sports RSNs (previously FOX Sports networks) and SportsNet RSNs (formerly AT&T), too. Which RSNs you need depends on your location and the sports you like to watch.
Not all services include all the major league channels, such as NFL Network, NBA TV, or MLB Network. Ensuring that a service covers all the affiliate broadcast channels in your area from ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC is also important, since many games air on those channels. Know that you are not exempt from local market restrictions or coverage blackouts.
We assume you want the best streaming quality for watching your favorite teams no matter your device. YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV support 1080p/60fps live streams on select platforms. Fubo was the first of the live TV services to broadcast select events in 4K, but an add-on brings that capability to YouTube TV. A few services also have useful capabilities for sports fans. DirecTV Stream and Fubo, for instance, include DVR features that respectively let you start broadcasts from the beginning should you jump into them mid-game, and watch matches that have aired in the past few days. Note that these features are only available on select channels.
DVR, Simultaneous Streams, and Apps
All of the streaming services in this roundup offer some DVR capabilities. If you like to save and rewatch significant TV moments, you should ideally look for a service that lets you record many hours’ worth of shows and keep them indefinitely. Robust DVR capabilities are useful for sports fans, too; some games may air at an inconvenient time. YouTube TV is unique because one of its available add-ons lets you download DVR content for offline viewing on mobile devices.
Live TV Options That Missed the Cut
Exclusions from Cable Alternatives
We do not include single-channel services, like Paramount+, or platforms focusing solely on live sports and limited events, such as Amazon Prime Video, DAZN, ESPN+, and Peacock. These options are too limited in scope to serve as comprehensive alternatives to cable. The same applies to Medici.tv, which primarily streams live classical music concerts.
Additionally, services like Pluto TV and Xumo are excluded from this roundup as they mainly provide preprogrammed content rather than live TV channels. While these may appeal to some users due to their endless streaming options and free access, they do not meet the criteria for full cable replacements. Plex can also offer content management and live TV capabilities, given that proper hardware is set up.
For those seeking local channels, setting up a digital antenna and tuner is a viable option. Popular events, like political debates or the Olympics, may also be available for free online streaming through their respective organizers’ websites.
On-Demand Streaming Services
Although you may intend to replicate your cable experience on a 1:1 basis with video streaming services, we recommend that you don’t. Take some time to determine which channels you watch regularly. On-demand services open up an entirely new world of content, with many shows that don’t air on traditional cable. These on-demand shows also tend to be the subject of pop culture discussions and critical acclaim. Amazon Prime Video’s The Wheel of Time, Disney+’s Hawkeye, Netflix’s Stranger Things, and Paramount+’s Star Trek: Discovery are just a few examples. Apple TV+, Disney+, Hulu, and Max also feature original content you can’t get anywhere else. Cinephiles should check out our roundup of the best movie streaming services, too.
Best Video Streaming Services for 2025
Fast internet connections and an abundance of media streaming devices have accelerated the decline of traditional cable. An increasing number of people are cutting the cord in favor of dedicated streaming alternatives (even if there are still some good reasons to keep cable). Streaming services are only growing larger and more numerous, leaving you with an overwhelming number of options. Fortunately, we here at PCMag have thoroughly tested many streaming services, big and small, for our expert reviews. If you’re looking to toss some money at a streaming video service, our top picks are a terrific starting point.
FAQs
What are some of the best streaming services for live TV in 2025?
Some of the top streaming services for live TV include YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, Philo, Sling TV, and DirecTV Stream.
Which streaming service is best for watching sports?
Fubo is particularly well-regarded for its extensive sports coverage, including channels like NFL Network, NBA TV, and MLB Network.
Are there any free streaming services available?
Yes, there are free streaming services like Pluto TV and Xumo, which offer preprogrammed content streams.
How can I watch local channels?
Some streaming services offer local channels, but you may also need a digital antenna and tuner to access all local channels in your area.
Do these services offer DVR features?
Yes, services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, and DirecTV Stream offer DVR features, allowing you to record and watch shows later.
What streaming service is best for families?
Disney+ is a great option for families, offering a wide range of family-friendly content, including movies from Marvel and Disney classics.
Are there streaming services that support 4K streaming?
Fubo was the first to offer 4K streaming for select events, and YouTube TV offers 4K streaming through its 4K Plus add-on.
What factors should I consider when choosing a streaming service?
Consider factors like channel lineup, pricing, DVR features, streaming quality, and whether the service offers local channels and sports coverage in your area.
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