Looking for a quality streaming service to help you save money and cut the cable cord, but don’t want to give up news networks, live sports, or seasonal shows? If so, live TV streaming may be of interest to you. With its all-digital capabilities and simplicity of usage across numerous platforms, live streaming is akin to on-demand streaming. There is no set-top box, but it has local news stations, sports, and fresh episodes of current shows, similar to cable TV.
We’ve listed the Best Live TV Streaming Services of 2022, with services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Philo TV making the cut. Continue reading to learn more about the features and benefits of each service.
What Is Streaming TV and How Does It Work?
Live TV streaming services can be a more convenient and cost-effective alternative to cable television. First, unlike cable and satellite TV, you won’t need someone to set up a set-top box or other specialized equipment. You also won’t have to pay for the hundreds of channels that come standard with a cable or satellite TV subscription, the most of which you’ll probably never view. Instead, you only pay for the stations you truly want with a live streaming TV package. Many live TV streaming services provide free trials, which is a fantastic way to try out a service without spending any money. You’re also not required to sign a long-term contract, so you can pay month to month and cancel at any moment. Finally, unlike cable television, a streaming service has no hidden fees.
You’ll need the following to view a TV streaming service:
- A fast internet connection is required:
Check your internet connection to see if it’s fast enough to stream video without buffering. When it comes to accessing mobile hotspots, different live streaming providers have different requirements, so be sure to read the fine print. Hulu + Live TV, for example, requires a non-mobile, residential internet connection to function.
- A device that allows you to stream content:
With a suitable browser, you may watch live TV directly from most live streaming services’ websites. For YouTube TV, for example, you’ll need Chrome or Firefox. Purchase a streaming device such as a Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire TV for a big-screen experience on a conventional TV. Many modern “smart” TVs, on the other hand, come with built-in streaming apps. Streaming is also supported by several DVD players and game consoles, such as the Xbox and PlayStation (PS4 and PS5). Make sure your selected streaming method is compatible with whichever streaming provider you choose.
Many live streaming services, similar to on-demand-only services like Netflix, also allow you to watch movies and TV series on demand. This eliminates the need to record shows in order to watch them later. Consider subscribing to both a live TV streaming service and a separate on-demand streaming service to get the best of both worlds. For more information on on-demand streaming, see our ranking of the Best On-Demand Streaming Services.
Consider how many individuals in your household will be utilizing the service and whether it will allow each of them to have their own profile when choosing a live TV streaming service. Furthermore, if you require cloud DVR storage, ensure that the provider provides enough.
Best Live TV Streaming Services
- YouTube TV
- Hulu + Live TV
- fuboTV
- Sling TV
- Philo
- DirecTV Stream
Comparing Live TV Streaming Features
|
|
COMPANY |
CLOUD DVR |
USER PROFILES |
MULTIPLE STREAMS |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV » | Unlimited | Up to 6 Profiles | Up to 3 Screens | ||
| Hulu + Live TV » | Up to 200 Hours | Up to 6 Profiles | Up to Unlimited Screens | ||
| fuboTV » | Up to 1000 Hours | Up to 6 Profiles | Up to 3 Screens | ||
| Sling TV » | Up to 50 Hours | 1 Profile | Up to 4 Screens | ||
| Philo » | Unlimited | Up to 10 Profiles | Up to 3 Screens |
YouTube TV
YouTube TV is the Best Live TV Streaming Service in 2022, as well as the Best Sports Streaming Service. YouTube TV is a streaming service with over 85 channels that can replace your cable subscription. The subscription includes HGTV, Comedy Central, Food Network, Disney, PBS, BET, MTV, and Nick Jr., as well as various sports channels such as ESPN and NBC Sports, for $64.99 per month. However, for out-of-market games or those involving non-local teams, YouTube TV may not be the ideal option.
With a subscription, you can watch material on three separate devices and create six distinct profiles. At no extra charge, YouTube TV offers unlimited DVR cloud storage. As long as you are an active member, you can keep recordings for nine months. A free trial of the service is available for five days.
Read More: What is Youtube TV login? How to Login to the YouTube TV App on Android!
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV is ranked No. 2 in our Best Live TV Streaming Services of 2022 ranking. A Hulu + Live TV subscription offers live TV streaming as well as access to Hulu’s on-demand library, making it a unique alternative. Hulu is frequently regarded as a direct competitor to Netflix, but if you want on-demand shows as well as live TV, Hulu may be the better option in the long run.
Hulu + Live TV costs $69.99 a month and gives you access to over 75 live channels, including local networks and sports channels, as well as 50 hours of cloud DVR storage and two-screen viewing. You’ll only have to pay six dollars more per month, for a total of $70.99, to get rid of Hulu’s commercial-supported service. Hulu + Live is now available in a special bundle with Disney+ and ESPN+, and you can also add HBO Max to your Hulu account for an additional $14.99 per month.
Read More: What is Hulu Live TV? Everything You Need To Know!
fuboTV:
Cord-cutters who appreciate sports-related programming may find FuboTV to be a good fit. In our 2022 rankings of the Best Live TV Streaming Services and Best Sports Streaming, it is tied for the third position. FuboTV offers over 100 channels for $64.99 per month, including ESPN, professional and college sports, and NFL Network. It can handle three streams at once and comes with 250 hours of cloud DVR storage. If you want more options, fuboTV’s Latino Quarterly, which includes sports and another Spanish-language programming, is $33 per month.
For $79.99 a month, you can get fubo Extra, which offers 1,000 hours of cloud DVR storage and an unlimited number of simultaneous streams. A free seven-day trial of the service is available.
Read More: Best Reality Shows to Stream 2022
Sling TV:
Sling TV is a streaming television service that allows you to watch live
In our rankings of the Best Live TV Streaming Services of 2022, Sling TV is tied for third place with fuboTV. It offers a free plan as well as two paid plans that may be modified to fit your needs. Sling Free allows you to try out Sling TV content without making a commitment, and the free trial has no time restriction. Sling Orange and Sling Blue plans start at $35 a month each, with a $50 monthly bundle available.
Depending on the plan you choose, the channel list includes NFL Network, FOX News, BET, CNN, ESPN, and AMC. Choose Sling Blue and start building your bundle from there if you’re more interested in news and entertainment. If you prefer sports and family programming, you may customize your subscription with Sling Orange and add-ons. Sling TV includes a cloud DVR with 50 hours of storage.
Philo:
Philo is one of the cheap video streaming providers, ranking fifth in our rankings. The service features 67 channels and an on-demand library for just $20 per month. Philo is not for sports aficionados because no sports are included in the package. Philo, on the other hand, permits up to three simultaneous streaming and gives you access to Food Network, Discovery Channel, and TLC, as well as TV shows like “Southpark,” “Two and a Half Men,” and “Naked and Afraid.”
On Philo, there isn’t much news in rotation, but its DVR storage is limitless. Epix is a $6 per month add-on, while STARZ is a $9 per month add-on. Philo offers a seven-day free trial to try out its service.
Read More:
DirecTV Stream:
AT&T integrated its AT&T TV Now and AT&T TV streaming services to create a single on-demand and live TV streaming service. DirecTV Stream, the company’s new service, is ranked sixth among the Best Live TV Streaming Services of 2022. DirecTV Stream has a base subscription that costs $69.99 per month and a top-tier option that costs $139.99 per month. Entertainment, sports, family, and lifestyle programming are included in the base subscription, while HBO Max, STARZ, and SHOWTIME are included in the higher tiers. You can also create your own bundle by selecting a base plan and adding on extras. For example, the cheapest plan includes 20 hours of cloud DVR storage, but for an extra $10 per month, you can upgrade to limitless hours. Although DirecTV Stream does not require a contract, some offers may demand a 12-month commitment to receive the cheaper rate. AT&T also offers a bundle that includes its streaming service and AT&T internet for even more discounts.
Read More: What is Att Tv Login: How to Resolve AT&T TV Login Issues!
Conclusion:
Live TV streaming services are still in flux. Since its debut, every service’s pricing has grown by at least $5 per month, TV channel lineups and cities with local channel access are constantly changing, and claims continue that some services are losing money, or even going down, as T-TVision Mobile’s has. While streaming is unquestionably the way of the future and cable the way of the past, it will take some time for prices and services to settle in.
A streaming service is worth a look if you want a cable-like experience at home and on-the-go devices without the dead weight of a cable membership. There’s no obligation to sign a contract, and you can quickly switch services if you don’t like your current one. So whether you want a simple package like Sling TV or a luxurious experience like YouTube TV, there should be a streaming TV provider to suit you.