What The Tech: Comparing streaming services for live TV options
BY JAMEY TUCKER, Consumer Technology Reporter
Cutting the cord used to save money. Today, streaming TV can be just as confusing as cable.
Prices keep climbing, channel lineups change, and what you get for your money depends on
which service you choose.
YouTube TV
Monthly cost: About 83 dollars
Channels: Over 100
YouTube TV is the closest match to traditional cable television. It includes local stations such as ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox in most markets, along with top sports and entertainment channels.
Popular channels: ESPN, CNN, Fox News, TNT, TBS, USA, FX, HGTV, Food Network, Disney Channel, and NFL Network.
YouTube TV has unlimited cloud DVR and supports multiple users at the same time. It is also one of the few services that carries nearly every major sports network.
Pros: Complete channel lineup, strong local coverage, unlimited DVR.
Cons: Higher price than in previous years, and frequent disputes with channel owners can cause temporary blackouts.
Best for: Households that want one service to replace cable.
Hulu plus Live TV
Monthly cost: About 90 dollars
Channels: Around 95
Hulu plus Live TV includes local channels and national sports, plus access to Hulu’s on-demand library. Most plans include Disney Plus and ESPN Plus at no extra cost.
Popular channels: ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, ESPN, CNN, HGTV, FX, Food Network, History, and Lifetime.
Pros: Combines live TV and streaming movies in one app. Includes sports and family programming.
Cons: One of the most expensive services. Some local stations may not be available in smaller
markets.
Best for: Families who want both live television and on-demand streaming.
Fubo
Monthly cost: Starts at 79.99 dollars for the base plan
Channels: Between 180 and 250 depending on the plan
Fubo is known for sports. It carries ESPN, FS1, NFL Network, and many regional sports channels. There are also international sports add-ons. However, Fubo is missing some popular entertainment channels. It does not include TNT, TBS, TruTV, HGTV, or Food Network. That means some major events such as March Madness
games that air on Turner networks are not available.
Pros: Best sports coverage, regional sports networks, multiple DVR options.
Cons: Fewer entertainment and lifestyle channels, higher cost.
Best for: Sports fans who want the most live coverage possible.
Sling TV
Monthly cost: The Orange or Blue plan is about 45 dollars. Both plans combined cost around
61 dollars.
Channels: Between 30 and 50, depending on plan and add-ons. Sling was the first live TV streaming service. It remains the most flexible and affordable.
The Orange plan includes ESPN, Disney, and CNN.
The Blue plan includes Fox, FS1, and USA Network.
You can combine both for more variety.
Sling is missing many local stations. Viewers will need a TV antenna to watch ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox in many markets.
Pros: Lowest cost, flexible plans, easy to cancel anytime.
Cons: Fewer channels, limited local coverage.
Best for: Viewers who want basic live TV at the lowest price.
What to Watch For:
Carriage disputes: Channels disappear temporarily when contracts expire. Both YouTube TV
and Hulu have lost major networks at times.
Price increases: All live TV streamers raised prices in 2024 and early 2025. Expect more
hikes.
Local coverage: Check availability by ZIP code before subscribing. Not every service carries
every station.
Sports rights: Some games are exclusive to certain channels, so fans may need more than
one service.
Extras: Premium networks like HBO, Showtime, and Starz usually cost extra.
Free trials: Most services allow short free trials and month-to-month cancellation. Try one before committing.
Final Thoughts:
YouTube TV and Hulu Live are now the most complete live streaming options but cost nearly
$90 each month. Fubo is the leader for sports fans but lacks some entertainment channels.
Sling remains the best deal for people who just want a few favorites and are willing to use an
antenna for local stations.
Streaming is still more flexible than cable, but it is no longer the budget option it once was. If you plan to cut the cord, compare channel lists carefully and watch for hidden costs before making the switch.
