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Thinking about switching from cable to a streaming platform? Cutting the cord is a lot easier than you might think and can save you more on your monthly bill than certain basic cable plans.
For TV lovers who want to make the leap to streaming, we’re breaking down some of the best platforms for live TV. Check below for a roundup of streaming options that range from $25 a month up to $150 a month. The services recommended below offer month-to-month subscription plans that can be canceled at any time.
Best Streaming Services for Live TV: From Fubo to Peacock
Though major league streamers like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Paramount+ produce mostly on-demand content, YouTube TV, Sling TV and Philo, and DirecTV Stream are som e of the more affordable options for live content.
Philo TV — the cheapest among the plans on our list — costs $25 a month for over 60 live channels for TV, streaming and on-demand. The channel roster includes AMC, IFC, BET, Lifetime, Comedy Central, Hallmark, OWN and the Paramount Network. Philo also comes with unlimited DVR and you can stream from any compatible device.
Sports fans can watch the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and NASCAR, as well as MLS , MMA, tennis, soccer, boxing, golf, college sports and lots more with a subscription to Fubo TV. Plans start at $65 a month for over 100 live and on-demand channels, which includes ABC, NBC and CBS, along with NBA League Pass, MLB Network, Golf TV and other sports-only channels in addition to MTV, VH1, E!, Bravo and more. The subscription comes with up to 1,000 hours of DVR space and family share to stream from at least three screens at the same time.
Sling TV rivals Philo on the scale of affordability. You’ll get a three-day free trial when you sign up for the Orange or Blue plans, which are $35 a month. The Orange plan gets you 32 channels (Bravo, ID, AMC, BET, ESPN, TLC, A&E, BET, TNT, TCM, FX, E!, Freeform, HLN, HGTV, etc.) and 50 hours of DVR storage that you can stream from any compatible device. The Blue plan unlocks access to 42 channels that subscribers can stream from up to three devices. There’s also an Orange and Blue plan with over 50 channels for $50 a month.
Hulu is obviously one of the better-known platforms in the streaming realm. Hulu + Live TV is $69.99 a month, but you get over 75 channels (which includes sports and news) along with Hulu’s on-demand streaming library where you’ll find Hulu Originals such as How I Met Your Father, The Handmaid’s Tale, Little Fires Everywhere, Only Murders in the Building and the upcoming limited series Pam & Tommy. Hulu + Live TV also includes access to Disney+ and ESPN+ streaming libraries.
Similar to Hulu’s live television bundle, Direct TV Stream costs at $69.99 a month for more than 65 live channels. You’ll also get unlimited cloud DVR recordings and free Showtime, Starz, EPIX and Cinemax for the first three months. The extra channels will cost $11 a month in addition to the monthly service fee, but you can always opt-out of adding them after the free trial ends. Direct TV Stream’s Choice, Unlimited and Premier plans — which range from $90 to $150 per month — includes free HBO Max for at least three months and regional sports networks with no additional fees.
One of the perks of Peacock is that you’ll get a good mixture of live and on-demand content for $4.99 a month for ad-supported streaming. Peacock subscribers can enjoy over 50 “always-on” channels and next-day access to current NBC programs, live sporting events including Sunday Night Football, Premier League, WWE and the 2022 Winter Olympics, in addition to hit movies, beloved TV shows (including The Office) and more. Peacock Plus, the ad-free tier, will cost you $9.99 a month but you also get to download content and stream it at your leisure.
Peacock is home to original shows like New Amsterdam, Girls5Eva, One of Us Is Lying, Wolf Like Me, the Real Housewives of Miami, Saved by the Bell and Bel-Air, the Fresh Prince reboot premiering on Feb. 13. Marry Me, a romantic comedy starring Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson, arrives on Feb. 11.
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Tagged: Amazon, Culture, entertainment blog, Hulu, music blog, Product Recommendations, streaming service, TV/Film