Let’s face it: there are too many streaming services out there.
The number of competitors in the streaming market has exploded in recent years. This means if you’re trying to cut the cord, navigating them all has become a huge headache.
Some offer a seemingly endless variety of channels, while others focus on specific genres or networks.
Here’s everything you need to know about the best streaming services available to watch live TV in 2023.
Sling TV
The Pros: Sling TV offers access to thousands of hours of on-demand content in addition to dozens of live TV channels with various plans. Sling Blue, for example, offers 41 live channels, a free cloud DVR system, and the ability to watch on three screens at once.
The cost: $40 per month, with premium packages available with additional channels for everyone.
Free Trials: Sling TV doesn’t currently offer a free trial, but they do have a promotion where your first month is just $20.
Philo
The Pros: Philo is remarkably cheap for the amount of content it offers, with 70+ live channels, the ability to stream from three devices simultaneously, and a 365-day DVR with unlimited storage. Subscribers also have access to thousands of on-demand movies and TV series.
The cost: $25 per month. There are several packages available that include premium channels like Epix and Starz for an additional fee.
Free Trials: The service offers a seven-day free trial that includes all the features of a full subscription.
Fubo TV
The Pros: Fubo is considered the ultimate live TV streaming service for anyone looking to cut the cord. With a subscription, you get access to over 100 channels (depending on your region), 30 hours of DVR storage space, and tons of on-demand content, mostly featuring episodes of shows that have aired over the past few weeks. Fubo also has ABC and the ESPN family, making it a top option for sports fans.
The cost: $74.99 per month, with a range of add-on options.
Free Trials: Fubo’s standard package comes with a 7-day free trial.
DIRECTV stream
The Pros: DIRECTV Stream offers ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX, unlike most of the other services on this list. In addition, a subscription gives you access to 65+ other channels in the basic package including Nickelodeon, MTV, CNN, vh1 and more. However, DIRECTV Stream’s biggest selling point is that it’s the best for live and regional sports coverage. Add that to over 65,000 on-demand titles and its cloud DVR and you have a diverse, versatile service that can handle all of your streaming needs.
The cost: The basic package costs $69.99 per month with a variety of add-on options.
Free Trials: DIRECTV Stream offers a five-day free trial.
peacock
The Pros: Peacock, NBC’s streaming service, offers live TV, primarily Premier League football. However, the service doesn’t stream NBC shows live while they’re on the air, but they do offer them on-demand the next day. Peacock is also home to the WWE Network, which broadcasts live pay-per-view shows.
The cost: $4.99 per month with ads, with an option to upgrade to an ad-free package for $9.99 per month.
Free Trials: Peacock offers a seven-day free trial when you sign up for a paid subscription.
Hulu Live TV
The Pros: Hulu Live TV offers 85+ channels and the entire Hulu streaming library, which includes original content. You also get 50+ hours of DVR storage with a subscription.
The cost: $69.99 per month, with the option to bundle ESPN+ and Disney+.
Free Trials: There is a seven-day free trial that includes all the features of a full subscription.
Outstanding plus
The Pros: Paramount Plus, formerly known as CBS All Access, offers only CBS channels as part of its live TV menu. However, there’s a wide range of new, original shows from MTV, Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central and Paramount Network (including the recently released 2021 revival of “iCarly”).
The cost: $5 per month or $50 annually for a “limited commercials” option, with the option to upgrade to an ad-free package for $10 per month.
Free Trials: Paramount Plus is currently offering one week free when you sign up for a subscription.
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Joseph Rejent reports on television and writes about live television, streaming services and cutting cables. He can be reached at [email protected].