Who needs cable? Watch prime-time network shows, sports, breaking news, and more with these top, tested live TV online

Let’s tested options are available across many platforms, including mobile devices, web browsers, gaming consoles, and media streaming devices. Although that services are on the pricier end of the streaming video spectrum, you may still spend less money per month than you did while subscribing to cable. 

Besides the potential financial savings, these live TV online services sometimes offer à la carte channel plans (though this flexibility is becoming rare). Whatever your reason for leaving cable behind, know that the number of live TV online streaming options continues to rise. These are our top picks.

Top Tested Picks of 5+ Live TV Online Streaming Services In 2023

1. Hulu Best for a Mix of Live and On-Demand Content 4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It? 

Hulu is one of the best allinone service for cord cutters. That given its diverse set of streaming options. To the strong library of classic shows and a good selection of movies. Hulu has a robust live TV option (more than 70 channels of sports, news, and entertainment programming). After adding 14 Viacom channels to its lineup, including  Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, BET, Comedy Central, MTV. Hulu recently picked up NFL Network and NFL RedZone.

Who It’s For? 

If Anyone seeking streaming convenience without abandoning traditional live TV online. Hulu’s basic on-demand streaming plan currently cost are $7.99 per month, while the ad-free version is cost $14.99 per month. College students can get Hulu’s ad-supported version for cost $1.99 per month. The Hulu + Live TV server plan costs $69.99 per month & combines Hulu’s live TV online service with the ad-supported streaming plan. All subscribers now enjoy Enhanced Cloud DVR that increases the available DVR storage from 50 to 200 hours. You can also add the unlimited screens packages (it allows an unlimited number of concurrent device streams in your home & up to three outside of it) to your plan for cost $9.99 per month.

PROS

• Excellent selection of TV series
• Extensive TV channel live lineup
• Robust cloud DVR option
• Available on nearly every media streaming device
• Appealing bundle deals

CONS

• Base on-demand plan includes ads
• Offline downloads feature requires premium account
• Fewer high-quality originals than competitors
• Missing most SportsNet and all Bally Sports RSNs

SPECS

• Starting Price: $7.99 per month; $75.99 per month
• Sports Coverage: International*, National, & Regional
• DVR Storage & Retention: 50 or 200 hours; Indefinitely

2. YouTube TV Best for Replacing Cable 4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It? 

YouTube TV offers an good selection of live sports and news channels. As well as many popular entertainment options. A few of the top networks available include CBS, CNN, ABC, AMC, Discovery, ESPN, Fox, FX, NBC, and PBS. Of course. This channel variety does not come cheap. YouTube TV’s latest price hike raised the monthly subscription costs $72.99 per month.

Who It’s For? 

YouTube TV good option for replacing cable. When YouTube TV’s library still does not meet your needs, you can add other packages. CuriosityStream, Acorn TV, and NBA League Pass to your subscription. The Entertainment Plus packages bundle Showtime, HBO Max, and Starz for $30 per month. YouTube TV’s 4K Plus add-on costs ($9.99 per months) unlocks 4K streaming, support for an unlimited number of simultaneous streams, and offline viewing of DVR content. (With the YouTube TV, can get unlimited cloud DVR storage, too. The service keeps your recordings for 9 months. And you can streaming content from anywhere in the US. YouTube TV is currently testing a cool multi viewing feature that lets you check out 4 select channels at once.

PROS

• Excellent lineup of sports, news, and entertainment channels
• Robust and easy-to-use DVR features
• Intuitive interface
• Supports three simultaneous streams per account by default
• Excellent add-ons
• Select a la carte channel options

CONS

• Lacks most SportsNet and all Bally Sports RSNs
• Basic parental control options

SPECS

• Starting Price: $72.99 per month
• Sports Coverage: National & Regional
• DVR Storage & Retention: Unlimited; 9 Months

3. Fubo Best for Sports Fanatics 4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It? 

Fubo is a good option for cord-cutting sports fans. Its based on subscription plan, called Fubo Starter, costs $74.99 per months & grants you access to about 150 channels. With the exact number depending on your location. For national sports events, there’s NBA TV, NBC, CBS, FOX, and NFL Network. For international sports, you get channels from the beIN network and Univision. If you are ever not in the mood for sports, Fubo offers a wide variety of entertainment channels, like AMC. The FX, National Geographic, Food Network, SYFY, and USA. You not only get to watch live tv online events and programs from the included channels, but there are also a ton of on-demand shows and movies.

Who It’s For? 

TV lovers who do not want to miss a second of the programming. Fubo offers excellent DVR capabilities 250 hours to 1,000 hours. Supports three simultaneous streams, this limit expands to 10 via an add-on. The Lookback features you can watch anything you may have missed up to 72 hours after it first aired. While the startover capability enables you to watch currently airing events from the beginning. No matter when you tuned into the program.

PROS

• Tons of live sports and on-demand entertainment content
• Reliable streaming
• Excellent web interface
• Capable DVR functionality
• Some 4K content

CONS

• Costly add-ons and packages
• Lacks A&E and Turner channels
• Most live streams limited to 720p

SPECS

• Starting Price: $74.99 per month
• Sports Coverage: International, National, & Regional
• DVR Storage & Retention: 250/ 1,000 hours Indefinitely.

4. Philo Best for Entertainment and Lifestyle Channels 3.5 Good

Why We Picked It? 

Most live TV online subscriptions cost much more than the typical streaming video service, but at $25 per month, Philo is a far more appealing investment. Even with the cheaper price tags & Philo manages to deliver an impressive channel lineup. With reliable streaming performance and intuitive DVR functionality.

Who It’s For? 

Although it lacks sports coverage and local news. Philo’s live channels satisfy entertainment and lifestyle fans. With Philo, you get access to content from BBC America, BET, AMC, Animal Planet, Cooking Channel, Comedy Central, Discovery Channel, Food Network, HGTV, IFC, Lifetime, Logo, and The Travel Channel.

PROS

• Inexpensive
• More than 70 channels
• Reliable streaming performance
• Good mobile apps
• Easy-to-use DVR

CONS

• No sports coverage
• Few news channels
• Lacks parental control options
• Some saved and on-demand content includes ads

SPECS

• Starting Price: $25 per month
• Sports Coverage: None
• DVR Storage & Retention: Unlimited; 30 Days

5. Sling TV Best for Add-On Channels 3.5 Good

Why We Picked It? 

Sling TV have multiple. Flexible plans that let you create the live tv online streaming plan that works best. You can even watch for free on-demand content. It is the highest tiers have increased in price over time. Topping out at $60 per month for the combined plan. Still appreciate any service with robust viewing options.

Who It’s For?

Sling TV has for viewers add-on channels who want many options to explore. The base service offers  sports broadcasts and local channels. But only in limited forms. You are better off checking out the Blue and Orange tiers that include CNN, BBC America, AMC, Cartoon Network, Comedy Central, Disney, ESPN, Food Network, HGTV, IFC, TBS, TNT, and Travel Channel.

PROS

• Good channel selection
• Flexible subscription options
• Free tier
• Reliable streaming performance
• Movie rentals

CONS

• Prices continue to increase
• Limited offerings of regional sports networks and local channels
• Confusing channel distribution

SPECS

• Starting Price: $40 per month; $60 per month
• Sports Coverage: International*, National, & Regional
• DVR Storage & Retention: 50 or 200 hours; Indefinitely

6. DirecTV Stream Best for RSN Coverage 3.5 Good

Why We Picked It? 

Formerly known is AT&T TV & DirecTV Stream is a premium live tv online streaming service with the features to match. It supports 20 simultaneous streams, parental control options. And improved DVR functionality with the unlimited storage & the ability to save up to 30 episodes for up to nine months. Just be prepared to spend at least $75 per months & potentially more than twice that, depending on the plan.

Who It’s For? 

Looking for a true cable replacement? DirecTV Stream is your service. Its high price comes with the hefty channel lineup. In fact the services top option has 140 channels. In addition, DirecTV Stream is the only live TV online streaming service we’ve reviewed that offers regional sports networks (RSNs) from AT&T, Comcast, and Sinclair. It also has all the local broadcast affiliates FOX, ABC, CBS, and NBC.

PROS

• Reliable streaming performance in testing
• Supports 20 simultaneous streams on home network
• Lineup includes RSNs from AT&T, Comcast, and Sinclair
• Includes parental control options

CONS

• Expensive
• Some interface quirks

SPECS

• Starting Price: $74.99 per month
• Sports Coverage: International*, National, & Regional
• DVR Storage & Retention: 20 hours or Unlimited, nine months

Buying Guide: The Best Live TV Online Streaming Services for 2023

Network Shows, News, and More

So long as the video live tv online streaming service you choose offers affiliate broadcast channels in your market, you can watch your favorite network shows from the likes of ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC. Most of the services here, including YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV Online, host these networks. 

Other services combine live TV online with more traditional on-demand libraries. A subscription to Hulu + Live TV Online, for instance, lets you watch all the shows and movies from Hulu’s on-demand service, including its original shows.

Although news channels may not be the primary way people stay informed about the world these days, they are still a good resource for live coverage of national and international events. 

Some services claim to offer “live TV online,” while really just offering 24/7 online marathons of preprogrammed existing material. We skipped those. Every service covered here is truly live.

Stream Live Sports

To watch all the sports that you previously could with your cable subscription, you should consult our roundup of the best live tv online sports streaming services. Not all services include all the major league channels, such as NFL Network, NBA TV, or MLB Network.

We assume that you want the best live tv online streaming quality for watching your favorite teams no matter what device you use. YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV support 1080p/60fps live streams on select platforms. Fubo was the first of the live TV online services to broadcast select events in 4K, but an add-on brings that capability to YouTube TV.

If you don’t want to pay additional fees every month to watch NFL games, there are some free options. 

For those seeking even extra steering in the live TV online streaming universe, we’ve were given you blanketed. Explore 5+ compelling reasons to rethink your video subscription and stay with cable. Learn the art work of selecting live tv online streaming offerings that align with your price range, and bask in lots of truth suggests that cater to all tastes. And in case you’re ever stumped approximately what to observe, be sure to peruse our encouraged streaming video courses. We’re right here to help you navigate the ever-expanding global of entertainment, ensuring you find the appropriate suit in your viewing pride.

The post Best 5+ Live TV Online Streaming Services In 2023 appeared first on Extended Tips.