Live-TV streaming has become the primary way many households are ditching cable. A growing list of services offers everything from core linear channels to on-demand libraries, but the market is still volatile with frequent price hikes, channel changes and even service closures. If you’re looking to cut the cord in 2026, understanding the key differences between the options can help you choose the right mix of price, channels and features.
> At a Glance
> – A clear price ladder: budget $30-$50, premium $80+.
> – Only YouTube TV offers 5.1 surround sound and NFL Sunday Ticket.
> – Hulu’s on-demand bundle includes Disney Plus and Hulu originals.
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> Why matters: Because the right choice can save you dozens of dollars a month while keeping your favorite live shows and on-demand titles.
Choosing a Live TV Streaming Service
When deciding on a live-TV service, the most common criteria are price, channel lineup, DVR capability, simultaneous streams and audio quality. Below is a quick comparison of the major players that remain active in 2026.
Service Snapshot
| Service | Monthly Price | Channels | Simultaneous Streams | DVR | Extra Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV | $83 | 100+ | 32 (pay $10 for unlimited) | 9 months | 5.1 surround, NFL Sunday Ticket |
| Hulu | $90 | 95+ | 10 at home (3 outside) | Unlimited | Disney Plus, Hulu on-demand bundle |
| Fubo | $85 | 150+ | Unlimited | Unlimited | NFL Network, RedZone, RSNs |
| DirecTV | $90 | 90+ + RSNs | 4 unlimited at home (3 outside) | Unlimited | Genre packs, almost 250 PBS stations |
| Sling Blue | $46 | 34 | 3 | 50-hour cap (unlimited $5) | ABC added to 8 markets |
| Philo | $33 | 46 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited cloud DVR, Epix/Starz add-ons |
Core Features Explained
- Unlimited DVR vs 30-day DVR – YouTube TV offers nine months of cloud storage; every other service gives 30 days. Hulu, DirecTV and Philo give unlimited cloud DVR, Sling 50-hour DVR.
- Simultaneous Streams – YouTube TV can run 32 streams; Hulu 10 at home (3 outside); Sling Orange 1, Sling Blue 3; DirecTV 4 unlimited at home (3 outside).
- Surround Sound – Only YouTube TV broadcasts 5.1 audio on live channels; the rest provide stereo.
- Sports-Specific Channels – Fubo and YouTube TV carry NFL Network and RedZone; DirecTV and Hulu include local PBS stations. DirecTV offers almost 250 local PBS stations, far more than any other service.
Best Overall: YouTube TV
YouTube TV is the most feature-rich option. Its $83 price point gives access to a 100-plus channel lineup that includes local PBS stations and a nine-month DVR vault. The service also streams NFL Sunday Ticket through the 2029-30 season and is the only provider to deliver 5.1 surround on live broadcasts. The price bump of $10 in January 2025 reflects its premium positioning, but the 32 simultaneous streams and unlimited cloud DVR make it a strong value for families that need multiple devices.
Best for Sports: YouTube TV & DirecTV
For hardcore sports fans, both YouTube TV and DirecTV are top choices. YouTube TV’s exclusive home of NFL Sunday Ticket and its comprehensive coverage of ESPN and RSNs give it a clear edge. DirecTV, with its unlimited DVR and genre packs like MySports ($70) and MyEntertainment, offers a deeper selection of regional sports networks. The $120 Choice package adds even more RSNs, making DirecTV the best for fans who need local and niche sports coverage.
Best Budget: Sling Blue & Philo
Sling Blue is the cheapest full-service option at $46, and it now includes ABC in eight markets. The 50-hour DVR cap is a limitation, but an additional $5 gives unlimited recording. Sling Blue’s two packages-Orange (ESPN/Disney) and Blue (Fox/Discovery)-can be combined for $61. Philo, at $33, is even cheaper but offers a limited lineup with no sports or local stations. Its unlimited cloud DVR and optional Epix/Starz add-ons make it a niche choice for viewers who prefer lifestyle and reality shows.
Best Premium: Hulu
Hulu’s $90 service is a hybrid of live TV and on-demand content. It bundles Disney Plus and Hulu originals, providing exclusive titles like Shogun and Only Murders in the Building. The ad-supported Disney Bundle (Hulu Basic, Disney Plus, ESPN Select) is included for $90, while an ad-free bundle costs $100. Hulu’s interface is user-friendly, though recording a live show requires exiting to the guide. The service also includes PBS and Magnolia, but it lacks the surround-sound capability of YouTube TV.
Feature Highlights
- YouTube TV – 32 streams, 9-month DVR, 5.1 audio, NFL Sunday Ticket.
- Hulu – 10 home streams, 30-day DVR, Disney Plus bundle, exclusive originals.
- DirecTV – Unlimited DVR, genre packs, almost 250 local PBS stations, channel flipping.
- Fubo – Sports focus, NFL Network, RedZone, price bump $5 in 2024.
- Sling Blue – 50-hour DVR cap, ABC added to 8 markets, Freestream option.
- Philo – No sports, no local stations, unlimited cloud DVR, lifestyle focus.
Market Volatility and Mergers
The live-TV landscape is still in flux. Every major player has raised its price by at least $10 a month since launch, and the lineup of channels changes constantly. In 2025, YouTube TV increased its price by $10, while Fubo added $5 in 2024. The merger between Hulu and Fubo is pending regulatory approval, which could reshape the sports-centric segment. Contract disputes have also forced temporary app removals on Google and Roku, and services like AT&T TV Watch TV, TVision and PlayStation Vue have already shut down.
Alternatives to Live Streaming
If you prefer to avoid linear services, the streaming ecosystem offers a range of on-demand options. Peacock, HBO Max, Apple TV and Disney Plus focus on back catalogs and originals, with Peacock providing live news but no traditional live channels. Netflix’s ad-supported plan starts at $8, while Prime Video is bundled with a $139 Prime Membership or available for $9 a month with ads. Disney Plus starts at $12, and Paramount Plus offers live TV for premium subscribers and a mix of sports and on-demand content.
Outdoor Antenna: A Low-Cost Companion
An indoor antenna can capture free over-the-air channels in your local broadcast area for as little as $20. Pairing it with a streaming service gives you live local programming and on-demand titles without the recurring cost of cable. Hardware DVRs can record antenna channels, allowing commercial skipping and playback similar to a traditional cable DVR.
Cable vs Streaming: The Bottom Line
While live-TV streaming is here to stay, cable is increasingly falling behind. Prices for streaming services range from $40 for budget options to $80+ for premium plans, not including the cost of high-speed internet. The market’s ongoing volatility means that both prices and channel lineups are still settling. For now, many households find that streaming saves money, but the true cost depends on your internet bandwidth and the specific services you choose.
