The best live TV streaming services of 2026
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, Fubo and DirecTV compared on price, local channels, sports and DVR, and the internet speed you need to watch.
YouTube TV is the best live TV service for most homes: about 100 channels, local stations in nearly every market and unlimited DVR for $82.99 a month. Hulu + Live TV (from $89.99) adds Disney+ and ESPN. Sling TV is the cheapest at $45.99 but has few locals. Fubo and DirecTV are the picks for sports and regional sports networks.
Prices are for each service's main package before taxes, from October 2026 price trackers and service sites; regional sports fees and add-ons cost extra.
Live TV streaming services compared
Five services carry most cable channels. They differ most on price, local channels and sports.
| Service | Price | Best for | Local channels | DVR and streams |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV | $82.99/mo | Most households | ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC in nearly all markets | Unlimited DVR; 3 streams |
| Hulu + Live TV | From $89.99/mo | Disney+ and ESPN in one bill | Most markets | Unlimited DVR; 2 streams |
| Sling TV | $45.99/mo (Orange or Blue); $60.99 both | Lowest price | Fox and NBC on Blue in some cities | 50 hours; 1 to 3 streams |
| Fubo | From about $85/mo | Sports, including soccer | Most markets | Unlimited DVR |
| DirecTV | From about $90/mo | Regional sports networks | Most markets | Unlimited DVR |
Which one to get
Start with the channels you can't live without, then compare prices.
- YouTube TV is the closest thing to cable in one app, with the best local coverage, multiview for sports and up to six household accounts.
- Hulu + Live TV makes sense if you already pay for Disney+ and Hulu: the bundle includes both plus ESPN's app.
- Sling TV fits if you want ESPN (Orange) or news and Fox and NBC (Blue) without paying for 100 channels. Add an antenna for locals.
- Fubo has the most sports channels, including soccer networks and many regional sports networks.
- DirecTV carries the most regional sports networks for local NBA, NHL and MLB teams, at the highest price.
Add a TV antenna for free local channels and pick a cheaper service, or rotate: subscribe for football season and cancel in the spring. Check your internet or phone plan for bundled streaming perks before you pay full price.
Internet speed for live TV
Plan on about 25 Mbps for each 4K stream and 5 to 10 Mbps for each HD stream, plus room for everyone else. Live sports are less forgiving than on-demand shows; see what speed you need for live sports and the best internet for streaming.
Watching football? Our guide to watching the NFL without cable covers which service carries which games. Need a streamer for the TV? See the best streaming device. Disney+ prices rose Oct 21; see the Disney+ price increase for the new bundle prices.
What each service costs for a year
Monthly prices add up. Here is what each costs for a full year.
| Service | Monthly | 12 months |
|---|---|---|
| Sling Orange or Blue | $45.99 | $551.88 |
| Sling Orange & Blue | $60.99 | $731.88 |
| YouTube TV | $82.99 | $995.88 |
| Hulu + Live TV | From $89.99 | From $1,079.88 |
Before taxes, regional sports fees and add-ons. Prices for Fubo and DirecTV vary by package and ZIP code.
Costs that aren't in the headline price
The advertised price is the starting point. These can add to it.
- Regional sports fees. Packages with local NBA, NHL and MLB channels often cost more or add a fee in your ZIP code.
- DVR limits. Sling includes 50 hours of recording; more storage costs extra. YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo and DirecTV include unlimited DVR, with recordings kept for nine months.
- Extra streams. Base plans allow two or three streams at once; more costs extra on some services.
- Sports add-ons. NFL RedZone, NFL Sunday Ticket and international sports packages are sold separately.
Free trials and how to switch
Fubo and DirecTV offer free trials of several days, and other services run trials at times. All of these services are month to month, so you can switch between them for different sports seasons. Before you sign up, enter your ZIP code on the service's site to check which local and regional channels you get.
A TV antenna picks up ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and PBS in most cities at no monthly cost. Pair one with Sling for the lowest-cost cable replacement.
Questions
Can I watch live TV streaming on more than one TV?
Yes. YouTube TV allows three streams at once, Hulu + Live TV two, and Sling one to three depending on the package. Extra streams cost more on some services.
Is YouTube TV worth it?
For most cord-cutters, yes. It has the most complete local channel coverage, unlimited DVR and multiview for sports. If you don't need local channels, Sling costs about half as much. See every plan and add-on in YouTube TV price 2026. It no longer sells NBA League Pass; see NBA League Pass price for 2026-27.
What is the best live TV streaming service?
YouTube TV for most households: about 100 channels including local stations, unlimited DVR and three streams for $82.99 a month. Sling is the cheapest, and Fubo is the pick for sports fans.
What is the cheapest live TV streaming service?
Sling TV, at $45.99 a month for Orange or Blue, or $60.99 for both. It carries fewer local channels than the others.
Which live TV service has local channels?
YouTube TV carries ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC in almost every market. Hulu + Live TV, Fubo and DirecTV carry them in most markets. Sling Blue has Fox and NBC in some cities only.
How much internet speed do I need for live TV?
About 25 Mbps per 4K stream and 5 to 10 Mbps per HD stream. Live sports buffer more than on-demand shows, so a steady connection matters as much as speed.
Can I get live TV without a contract?
Yes. All of these services are month to month, and most offer a free trial.
- CableTV.com, "Best Live TV Streaming Services for 2026," October 2026
- StreamingPriceTracker, "Cheapest Streaming Services Ranked (2026)," October 2026
- Household Advocate, "Cutting Cable TV in 2026," August 2026; Yahoo Tech, "The best live TV streaming services for 2026"
- Service plan pages: YouTube TV, Hulu, Sling, Fubo, DirecTV
Prices and offers change often; confirm at your address before you order. How we research
Jean founded ShopHighSpeed after trying to find one straight answer about business internet in his own town. He has been a Comcast and Verizon Fios customer, and ranks providers on what they actually deliver, not on what they advertise.