These Are the 5 Best Streaming Platforms for Live TV

With how accessible streaming platforms are, it’s no surprise that you can get live TV channels now. It could be your favorite show, only to pop in a moment later to watch your favorite sports team play.

1

Hulu + Live TV

Hulu + Live TV is quite a comprehensive package, so it is undoubtedly the ideal choice if you have a family with different tastes. Not only do you have access to Hulu, you have a subscription to Disney+ and ESPN+. Just have it Hulu and Disney+ bundled is a good dealbut also ESPN+? It’s even sweeter.

That’s just the first half, though. The second half of the deal is a long list of over 95 live channels, including news, sports and entertainment. For example, there is ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, CNN, Cartoon Network, BET, FX, NFL Network, FS1 and FS2, Lifetime, PBS and PBS Kids, Nickelodeon, Paramount, and more.

In addition, you have access to DVR functions and unlimited cloud storage for content. Even if you know you’ll miss your favorite show, you can pre-register.

2

Peacock

If you’re a bargain hunter, Peacock is one of the cheapest ways to jump on a streaming service and get live TV channels at the same time, despite Peacock raising its prices. Even with Premium Plus — the ad-free subscription — it’s only $14 a month. However, if you are a student or a teacher, you can get it for a fraction of the price ($3 and $4, respectively).

In terms of content, we’re talking about Hallmark, NBC, Sky News, TODAY All Day, NBC Sports, Premier League TV, WWE, GolfPass, NFL Wild Card, Nascar, IMSA, and even Sunday Night Football.

Of course, Peacock is a streaming platform, and there is also a lot of content to stream; in fact, it is the home of the Office, and who does not like his binge?

3

YouTube TV

While DirecTV may have more channels than YouTube TV, the latter is no slouch. In fact, it’s on par with Fubo, which has over 100 live TV channels to choose from. What YouTube TV has over other streaming services here is customization, and it has a long trial period of 21 days.

For starters, the basic plan alone has over 140 live TV channels, including the very relaxing Zen Channel. It includes a mix of major news and entertainment channels, such as CBS, MSNBC, Cartoon Network, Disney, Sports Network, ESPN News, and many more. YouTube TV also has ESPN, FS1 and FS2, and CNBC Gold.

The real kicker is the add-ons, where you can dig into more live TV channels, like Sports Plus, Spanish Plus, Filipino Plus and the Spanish Plan. This will give you access to channels like AcornTV, BET+, Cinemax, Gaia, NFL Redzone and Curiosity Stream.

4

DirecTV

DirecTV is what you want to tap on if you don’t want to be left out of anything, more or less. There are four packages – Entertainment, Choice, Ultimate and Premier – and each one adds more and more channels, from 90+ to 185+. It’s a shame about the channels.

Even with the cheapest plan, you still have access to FX, Disney, CNN, HGTV, ESPN (and ESPN2), as well as local channels and the Sports Pack. However, if you want regional sports networks, you will get more from the Choice and onwards. That adds channels like Bally Sports, NBA TV and ESPNews.

The Ultimate plan offers the most, of course, like NHL Network and STARZ Encore, but regardless of your subscription, you can also tack on extra channels, just like you can with YouTube TV. It is one of the few streaming platforms (on this list) that offer international channels, such as Cine Mexicano. It gives a good deal of room for handling if, say, you just want the entertainment plan with a few sports or movie channels added.

5

Fubu

Fubo should be your main consideration if you want to emphasize sports. You have access to MLB, NHL, NBA and NFL and you can catch the happenings in the leagues via ESPN. Fubo also offers add-ons. There’s NFL Redzone, Sports Plus, NBA League Pass, Adventure Plus and International Sports Plus if you’re into football too. More importantly, if Fubo broadcasts the channels your teams are playing, you can DVR the games for later.

Fubo also has many popular live television channels outside of sports. For kids, there’s Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., and Disney. You can return it with music channels like MTV, VH1 and CMT. One channel that stands out as a bit odd is Crunchyroll. It is a welcome site if you like anime.

Regardless of your choice, one of these streaming platforms will be the perfect fit. Fubo is heavy on sports; DirecTV offers the most; YouTube TV is easily customizable; Peacock is affordable, and Hulu + Live TV has multiple streaming platforms in one. It’s best to make a list of the channels you can’t live without, then go from there.