Best Live TV Streaming Services of 2026
YouTube TV is our top pick for most cord-cutters because it combines local channels in most US markets, a broad cable-style lineup, an unlimited cloud DVR and a simple app on almost every device. Hulu + Live TV is the strongest alternative if you also want a big on-demand library and Disney bundle content, DIRECTV's streaming service is worth a look for regional sports, and Fubo is the best choice if sports come first. Channel lineups, prices and local availability change, so check each service for your ZIP code.
Our ranking of the best streaming services
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#1
YouTube TV
Best overallBroad live TV lineup with local channels in most markets and an included cloud DVR.
- Live local channels in most US markets (check your ZIP code)
- Unlimited cloud DVR space
- Up to six household accounts and three streams at once
- Optional add-ons, including NFL Sunday Ticket and premium channels
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#2
Hulu + Live TV
Best live TV + on-demand bundleLive TV channels plus Hulu's on-demand library and Disney bundle content.
- Live channels including locals in many markets
- Hulu on-demand library included
- Disney bundle content (check current bundle contents)
- Cloud DVR included; check current limits
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#3
DIRECTV (streaming)
Best for regional sportsCable-style packages over the internet, with locals in every package and regional sports on higher tiers.
- Local channels included with every package (varies by market)
- Regional sports networks with CHOICE and higher
- Genre Packs such as MySports and MyNews
- Gemini streaming device or your own devices
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#4
Fubo
Best for sportsSports-first live TV streaming with locals in many markets and a cloud DVR.
- Sports-focused live channel lineup
- Local channels and regional sports in many markets (check your ZIP code)
- Unlimited DVR and unlimited screens, per Fubo's help center
- 4K on higher plans
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#5
Sling TV
Best for flexible plansBuild-your-own live TV with base plans and add-on channel packs.
- Base services with different channel mixes
- Add-on extras for sports, news, kids and premium channels
- Free Freestream tier of ad-supported channels
- No long-term contract
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#6
Disney+
Best on-demand for familiesOn-demand streaming from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic.
- On-demand library from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic
- Plans with and without ads (check current options)
- Profiles, including kid-friendly profiles
- Downloads for offline viewing on mobile
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#7
ESPN (Unlimited and Select)
Best sports-only streamingESPN's own streaming plans: Unlimited for the full ESPN networks, Select for ESPN+ content.
- ESPN Unlimited: ESPN linear networks, ESPN on ABC and ESPN+
- ESPN Select: ESPN+ content
- Included for some pay-TV and live TV streaming subscribers
- Bundles with Disney+ and Hulu
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#8
Philo
Best for entertainment onlyEntertainment and lifestyle live TV with unlimited DVR, without locals or major sports.
- Entertainment, lifestyle and reality channel lineup
- Two plans: Essential and Bundle+
- Unlimited DVR with recordings kept for a year
- Up to three streams and 10 profiles
Live TV streaming services replace a cable or satellite package with an app. You get live channels, often including local broadcast stations, plus a cloud DVR, and you can usually cancel month to month. On-demand services such as Disney+ work differently: there is no live schedule, just a library you watch whenever you like.
We ranked eight of the best-known US services on channel and content coverage, local and sports coverage, how clearly they explain pricing, their features and how easy they are to use. Everything below describes how the services work in general. Lineups, prices and regional availability change often, so always check the current details on each provider's site before you sign up.
Streaming Services compared side by side
Sort by rank, name or score. Tick "Compare" on any two or three providers above to see them side by side.
| Best for | Service type | Strongest for | Cloud DVR | Link | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | YouTube TV |
Best overall | Live TV | All-round, locals | Unlimited DVR space; check retention terms | 9.3 | Visit site (YouTube TV, opens in a new tab) |
| #2 | Hulu + Live TV |
Best live TV + on-demand bundle | Live TV + on-demand | Entertainment, locals, bundles | Included; check current limits | 9.0 | Visit site (Hulu + Live TV, opens in a new tab) |
| #3 | DIRECTV (streaming) | Best for regional sports | Live TV | Regional sports, locals, full packages | Check current DVR terms | 8.7 | Visit site (DIRECTV (streaming), opens in a new tab) |
| #4 | Fubo |
Best for sports | Live TV | Sports, locals | Unlimited DVR; check current terms | 8.6 | Visit site (Fubo, opens in a new tab) |
| #5 | Sling TV |
Best for flexible plans | Live TV | Flexible cable channels | Included; check limits | 8.4 | Visit site (Sling TV, opens in a new tab) |
| #6 | Disney+ | Best on-demand for families | On-demand | Family and franchise films and series | N/A (on-demand) | 8.1 | Visit site (Disney+, opens in a new tab) |
| #7 | ESPN (Unlimited and Select) | Best sports-only streaming | Sports streaming | ESPN networks and events | N/A (live and on-demand in the ESPN app) | 7.9 | Visit site (ESPN (Unlimited and Select), opens in a new tab) |
| #8 | Philo |
Best for entertainment only | Live TV | Entertainment, lifestyle | Unlimited, recordings kept for a year | 7.8 | Visit site (Philo, opens in a new tab) |
Top picks by use case
Local channels in most markets, a broad lineup and unlimited DVR space in one easy app.
Read our YouTube TV reviewLive channels plus Hulu's on-demand library and Disney bundle content under one bill.
Read our Hulu + Live TV reviewLocals in every package and regional sports networks on CHOICE and higher packages.
Read our DIRECTV (streaming) reviewA lineup built around sports networks, with unlimited DVR and ESPN Unlimited access on eligible plans.
Read our Fubo reviewModular base services and add-on extras so you pay only for the channels you watch.
Read our Sling TV reviewA deep library of Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars titles to watch any time.
Read our Disney+ reviewHow we chose
We score streaming services on how well they replace or complement a traditional TV package for a typical US household, not on which shows we personally like. Each service gets a weighted score out of 10 across five criteria, based on our review of the provider's public pages, channel lookup tools, plan descriptions, help documentation and apps.
Breadth of live channels across news, entertainment, kids and lifestyle, and the depth of the on-demand library.
Whether local broadcast stations are carried in most markets, and how well national and regional sports networks are covered.
How clearly plans, add-ons, regional fees and price changes are explained, whether a channel lookup by ZIP code is available, and whether you can cancel without a contract.
Cloud DVR, profiles, simultaneous streams, downloads and picture quality options, and how clearly any limits are explained.
Availability on smart TVs, streaming sticks, consoles, phones and browsers, and how easy the guide and search are to use.
Buying guide: how to choose
Live TV streaming vs on-demand
Live TV streaming services such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DIRECTV, Fubo, Sling TV and Philo stream channels on a schedule, like cable, and usually include a cloud DVR. On-demand services such as Disney+ give you a library you watch whenever you like, with no channel guide. ESPN's own streaming plans sit in between: live and on-demand sports, but no other channels.
Most cord-cutters combine the two: one live service or an antenna for news, sports and locals, plus one or two on-demand services. Read our live TV vs on-demand guide.
Check your local channels first
Local broadcast stations carry network shows, local news and many big games. Coverage varies by service and ZIP code. Before you sign up, enter your ZIP code on the provider's channel lookup page.
If a service does not carry your locals, an over-the-air antenna is a common way to fill the gap.
What to check before you subscribe
- The channel list for your ZIP code, not the national list.
- Regional sports networks, which vary widely by area and service.
- Cloud DVR terms: storage, how long recordings are kept and whether ads can be skipped.
- Simultaneous streams and profiles if several people watch at once.
- Device support for every TV and streaming stick in your home.
- Price changes and fees. Plan prices change; check the current price on the provider's site.
Free trials and month-to-month billing
Most live TV streaming services bill month to month with no annual contract, so you can switch when your needs change. Some may offer a free trial; check current terms and set a reminder before it ends.
A practical approach is to test one service during a week when you watch your usual shows and sports, then decide.
Watch for lineup changes
Channel owners and streaming services renegotiate carriage deals regularly, and channels can disappear temporarily during disputes. Ownership and bundles change too: ESPN launched its Unlimited and Select streaming plans in August 2025, and Fubo completed its combination with Disney's Hulu + Live TV on October 29, 2025, with both services still sold separately. Recheck the lineup if a specific channel matters to you. See how we rank for how we keep this page current.
Head-to-head comparisons
YouTube TV vs Hulu + Live TV
Choose YouTube TV if you want the strongest local channel coverage and a clean, live-first experience.
ComparisonSling TV vs Philo
Choose Sling TV if you want flexible plans with the option to add sports, news and premium channel extras.
ComparisonYouTube TV vs Fubo
Choose YouTube TV if you want an all-round cable replacement with strong local coverage and a broad entertainment lineup.
ComparisonSling TV vs YouTube TV
Choose Sling TV if you want a lighter, customizable lineup and already get locals from an antenna.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best live TV streaming service?
In our editorial ranking, YouTube TV is the best overall live TV streaming service because of its local channel coverage in most markets, broad lineup and included cloud DVR. Hulu + Live TV is our pick for a live TV and on-demand bundle, and Fubo for sports.
Which streaming service has local channels?
YouTube TV carries locals in most US markets, DIRECTV says locals come with every streaming package, and Hulu + Live TV and Fubo carry them in many markets. Sling TV's locals are limited, and Philo, ESPN and Disney+ do not carry them. Always check by ZIP code.
What is the best streaming service for sports?
Fubo is our pick for sports because its lineup is built around sports networks, and DIRECTV is strong for regional sports networks on higher packages. YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV also carry major sports channels, and ESPN's own plans suit fans who only want ESPN. Regional sports networks vary by area, so check your ZIP code.
Is Disney+ a replacement for cable?
Not on its own. Disney+ is an on-demand library without live or local channels. Most people pair it with a live TV service or an antenna.
Do I need a separate ESPN subscription?
Often not. ESPN says customers of TV services that carry ESPN, including Hulu + Live TV, DIRECTV and Fubo, may already get ESPN Unlimited by signing in. If you do not have a TV service, ESPN sells Unlimited and Select plans on their own and in bundles.
Do live TV streaming services require a contract?
The services we review bill month to month without an annual contract. Check each provider's current billing terms before you sign up.
Do streaming services offer free trials?
Some live TV services may offer a free trial, but availability and terms change often. Check the current terms on the provider's site and set a reminder before the trial ends.
What is the most affordable way to get live TV?
An over-the-air antenna gives you local channels without a subscription. For cable channels, lighter services such as Sling TV or Philo are usually less expensive than full lineups, but prices change, so compare current prices on each site.
How do you rank streaming services?
We score each service on channel and content coverage, local and sports coverage, value transparency, features, and device support and ease of use. See our full methodology on the How We Rank page.
Streaming Services guides
All streaming services guidesHow to Cut the Cord: A Step-by-Step Checklist
A practical checklist for cancelling cable or satellite TV: list what you watch, check locals, pick a streaming service, test it, then cancel without surprises.
Streaming Services guideHow to Watch Live TV Without Cable
The practical ways to watch live TV without cable in the US: live TV streaming services, an antenna for locals, free streaming apps and how to combine them.
Streaming Services guideLive TV Streaming vs On-Demand: What Is the Difference?
Live TV streaming follows a channel schedule like cable; on-demand streaming is a library you watch any time. Here is how they differ and which you need.
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