The 5 Best Streaming Services For Live TV (As Of June 2026)

Streaming services became a huge competition for movie theaters, video rental stores, and cable TV, as they provide easy access to several movies and TV shows from multiple genres. While the most popular streaming platforms are subscription ones, and some even offer bundle deals, there are other services that are free, though most of them support themselves through ads. Now, streaming platforms are an even bigger competition to cable TV, as some offer live TV as well.

For many, subscribing to a streaming platform to enjoy live TV might be a better option than cable, depending on the price (of course), the content available, and the content each viewer consumes the most. Through live TV, streaming services allow subscribers to enjoy sports events (which might be especially alluring during the World Cup 2026), news programs, and other TV shows, and there are some great options out there to take into account.

YouTube TV

YouTube has known how to stay up-to-date to not lose its audience. YouTube continues to be an online-sharing platform where users can upload their own content, but in the era of streaming, it had to evolve. In 2014, YouTube launched its subscription service Music Key, later known as YouTube Red and now as YouTube Premium. The service provides ad-free experience and access to content, though it no longer produces its own, exclusive content like other platforms. In addition to that, movies can be rented on YouTube with or without a subscription, and the platform has its own music streaming service.

Another subscription service over at YouTube is YouTube TV, launched in 2017. YouTube TV offers different channels from more than 100 TV networks, including ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, CBS, and The CW, along with cable channels like ESPN, AMC, CNN, History, and HGTV. YouTube TV allows its users to record an unlimited number of shows and sport games simultaneously, and it provides up to six individual accounts per household, making it a great option for families.

YouTube TV’s standard plan is $82.99 per month, with a 10-day free trial available; the sports plan is $64.99 per month, with the same perks and free trial as the standard plan. There are options for more features and 4K viewing experience, along with add-ons and more, with the price varying depending on what’s added.

Hulu + Live TV

One of the most popular streaming platforms in recent years is Hulu, owned by Disney Streaming. Hulu’s subscription service was launched in 2010, and it later began to produce its own content in addition to housing licensed content. Hulu was acquired by Disney in 2019, and sometime later, it was integrated into Disney+. However, Hulu still offers standalone plans for those who are looking to subscribe to it without Disney+, and there are also bundle deals with Disney+. One of Hulu’s most attractive offers is its Live TV plan.

Hulu + Live TV launched in 2017, and among the content that can be found in it are SYFY, Bravo, Telemundo, A&E, History, Lifetime, CBS, Showtime, Food Network, ABC, NBC, Fox, The CW, NFL Network, Discovery, TLC, and more. Hulu + Live TV, then, offers a wide variety of content for all tastes and subscribers of all ages, with reality TV, children’s content, documentary and history shows, sports, and more.

The standard plan for Hulu + Live TV (with Disney+ and ESPN Select) is at $89.99 per month, with ads; the second tier is $99.99 per month, with Disney+ Premium and ESPN select, no ads (except for ESPN); then there’s Hulu + Live TV Español with Disney+ (both with ads) at $29.99 per month; Live TV Only at $88.99 per month, and Live TV Only Español at $28.99 per month.

DirecTV

DirecTV is heavily associated with satellite TV, but like YouTube and many other services, it has had to evolve along with technology and the way to consume content. In 2016, DirecTV officially joined the world of streaming with DirecTV Now, and it later became AT&T TV as it was then owned by AT&T. When it separated from AT&T, it was rebranded as DirecTV Stream, and at the time of writing, DirecTV is an app-based streaming service. DirecTV offers licensed content through its on-demand catalog, as well as through its live TV service, which provides access to over 90 live channels.

Among those are ABC, Fox, The CW, ESPN, TNT, TBS, Bravo, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, E!, Hallmark, Bloomberg, and a lot more, with the option to add other premium networks for an additional monthly fee, such as HBO Max, Cinemax, and MGM+. DirecTV’s live TV packages are called “Genre Packs”, and there are mini packs at $12.99 per month, like MySports Extra, and others at $19.99 per month, like MyHome Team.

The biggest packs are MyEntertainment at $34.99 per month, with over 60 channels; MySports, with over 20 channels, at $49.99 per month; MyNews with over 10 channels at $34.99 per month; MySports & MyNews Duo at $79.99 per month with over 30 channels; MyKids with over 10 channels for only $14.99 per month; and MiEspañol, with over 60 channels at $29.99 per month.

FuboTV

While some streaming platforms have added a live TV service on top of their catalogs of licensed and original content, others have been focused on live TV from the very beginning. One of them is FuboTV, which launched in 2015. FuboTV is an over-the-top sports streaming TV service, and the channels available depend on the country in which it is accessed. In the US, some of the channels available on FuboTV are ESPN, NFL Network, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, and regional sports networks, depending on the subscriber’s location.

FuboTV has a base plan (Pro Plan) at $73.99 per month, with over 200 channels, local networks, and major sports; then is the Elite Plan, with more sports networks, entertainment channels, and 4K streaming at $83.99 per month; and last but not least, FuboTV has a Latino Plan at $14.99 per month, with over 50 Spanish-language channels and live soccer.

Sling TV

Sling TV is a live TV streaming service launched in 2015, where subscribers can enjoy sports networks, cable channels, and on-demand content. The channels available vary depending on the plan, and some of them are ESPN, FS1, Gold Channel, Fox News, TNT, Bravo, Disney Channel, Nick JKr., Starz, and Cinemax. Sling TV, then, offers different plans, but with the main ones being Orange, Blue, and Orange + Blue.

Sling Orange is focused on sports and family content, with over 30 channels at $45.99 per month; Sling Blue is all about news and entertainment for $45.99 a month; and Sling Orange + Blue brings both plans together for $60.99 per month. Other plans available at Sling TV are Essentials (ESPN and more) for $19.99 per month, Sling Select (Fox News and more) for $19.99 per month, and Sling Essentials & Select for $34.99 per month.