Live TV streaming services in 2026: prices, channels and what you actually need

The live TV streaming market in the US has settled into a clear pattern: a handful of services compete on channel count and price, and none of them require a cable box, a contract or a technician. YouTube TV's main plan costs $83 per month and includes 100+ channels with unlimited cloud DVR. [tv.youtube.com] Sling Blue starts at $46 per month for a smaller channel lineup. [sling.com] Between those two price points, every major live TV streaming service positions itself.

This article compares the verified US prices for the main live TV streaming services, explains what each one includes and does not include, and covers the hardware you need. All prices are from the providers' own websites as of October 2026. For a broader comparison that includes on-demand services, see the US streaming overview.

YouTube TV: the most complete replacement

YouTube TV is the closest thing to a traditional cable package in streaming form. The main plan at $83 per month includes over 100 channels, and the entertainment plan at $55 per month includes over 50 channels. [tv.youtube.com]

What makes YouTube TV different from cable is what is included in the base price:

• Unlimited cloud DVR: every YouTube TV plan includes unlimited cloud DVR storage. There is no limit on the number of recordings, and recordings are available for up to 9 months. [tv.youtube.com]
• No extra fees: YouTube TV has no annual contracts, no installation fees, no box rental fees and no broadcast fees. [tv.youtube.com]
• Household sharing: each plan includes 6 household accounts and 3 simultaneous streams. [tv.youtube.com]
• Local channels: YouTube TV includes local channels, but the specific lineup depends on your home ZIP code. YouTube TV provides a channel lookup tool so you can check what is available at your address before subscribing. [tv.youtube.com]

The add-on ecosystem extends YouTube TV's coverage:

The main limitation of YouTube TV is that it is the most expensive option. At $83 per month for the main plan, it costs more than Sling, Philo or the entertainment-only tier. The entertainment plan at $55 drops below $60 but cuts the channel count roughly in half. For households that watch primarily sports and news, the main plan is hard to beat on completeness. For households that watch primarily entertainment, the entertainment plan or a competitor may be more efficient.

Sling TV: the budget option

Sling Blue starts at $46 per month and includes a curated set of channels focused on entertainment and news. The $46 price is presented as a from-price, meaning the total may vary depending on add-ons. [sling.com]

Sling's approach is different from YouTube TV's: instead of offering everything in one package, Sling lets subscribers build a lineup by adding channel packs to a base plan. This keeps the entry price low but means the total can climb as you add sports, news or entertainment packs.

Key differences from YouTube TV:

• DVR: Sling includes 50 hours of free cloud DVR storage. Unlimited DVR is available as an add-on for $5 per month. [sling.com] YouTube TV includes unlimited DVR at no extra cost.
• Local channels: Sling does not include local broadcast channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox) in most markets. Subscribers who want local channels need an antenna or a separate service. YouTube TV includes locals where available.
• Simultaneous streams: Sling Blue includes 3 simultaneous streams on most devices, but not all channels support all 3.
• Contract: Like YouTube TV, Sling has no annual contract. You can cancel at any time.

Sling is the right choice for viewers who know exactly which channels they watch and are willing to skip local broadcast networks. It is not the right choice for cord-cutters who want a complete cable replacement, because the missing local channels create gaps in news and sports coverage (particularly NFL games on CBS and Fox).

Hulu + Live TV, fuboTV and Philo

Three other services fill the space between YouTube TV and Sling:

Hulu + Live TV bundles Hulu's on-demand library with 90+ live channels, Disney+ and ESPN+. The base price is higher than YouTube TV's, but the inclusion of three services in one subscription can make it efficient for households that would subscribe to Hulu and Disney+ separately. The main differentiator is Hulu's on-demand library, which is stronger than YouTube TV's for entertainment content. Verify the current price on hulu.com, as it changes with promotional cycles.

fuboTV positions itself as a sports-first service. It includes a larger selection of international sports channels than YouTube TV, including some soccer leagues not available elsewhere. It also includes 4K streaming for select sports events at no extra cost. The base price is comparable to YouTube TV's and should be confirmed on fubo.tv.

Philo is the cheapest live TV streaming service, focused entirely on entertainment channels. It excludes sports and news entirely, which keeps the price well under $30 per month. For households that never watch live sports and get news from free sources, Philo covers the entertainment channels (AMC, Discovery, A&E, Hallmark, MTV, VH1 and others) at a fraction of the cost of a full service.

The choice between these services depends on a single question: what do you actually watch? Sports viewers are choosing between YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and fuboTV. Entertainment-only viewers should look at Philo first. Budget-conscious viewers who want some live channels should consider Sling. For a side-by-side comparison of the specific channels included in each service, see the provider comparison page.

Hardware: what you need to stream live TV

Every live TV streaming service runs on the same set of devices. You do not need service-specific hardware. The main options are:

YouTube TV says its app is available on select Amazon Fire TV devices, Roku players and TVs, Apple TV and Apple TV 4K, Vizio SmartCast TVs, Samsung and LG smart TVs, HiSense TVs and Xbox One. [tv.youtube.com] The other services support broadly the same devices. If you own a smart TV from the last few years, you likely do not need to buy a separate streaming device.

For the best experience, a wired Ethernet connection is preferable to Wi-Fi, especially for live sports where buffering is most noticeable. The Google TV Streamer (4K) includes a built-in Ethernet port at $150. [store.google.com] The Apple TV 4K Wi-Fi + Ethernet model adds Gigabit Ethernet at $249. [apple.com] For budget setups, a Fire TV Stick or Roku Stick with a USB-to-Ethernet adapter provides a wired connection at a lower cost.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest live TV streaming service?

Philo is the cheapest, typically under $30 per month, but it includes only entertainment channels with no sports or news. For a service that includes sports and news, Sling Blue starts at $46 per month. YouTube TV's entertainment plan at $55 per month offers 50+ channels including some sports.

Can I get local channels with a streaming service?

YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and fuboTV all include local channels, but availability depends on your ZIP code. Sling does not include local channels in most markets. You can check YouTube TV's channel availability by entering your ZIP code on tv.youtube.com before subscribing. An antenna is a free alternative for local channels.

Do I need a cable box or special equipment?

No. All live TV streaming services work on smart TVs, streaming sticks (Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV Streamer) and mobile devices. YouTube TV confirms there are no box rental fees. A fast internet connection (at least 15-25 Mbps for HD) is the only requirement beyond a compatible device.

How much DVR storage do streaming services include?

YouTube TV includes unlimited cloud DVR with all plans. Sling includes 50 hours and offers unlimited DVR as an add-on for $5 per month. Hulu + Live TV includes unlimited DVR in its base plan. fuboTV includes 1,000 hours. Philo includes unlimited DVR.

Can I watch live TV streaming on multiple devices at the same time?

Yes, but the number of simultaneous streams varies. YouTube TV includes 3 simultaneous streams (unlimited at home with the 4K Plus add-on). Sling Blue includes 3 streams. Hulu + Live TV includes 2 streams in its base plan with an unlimited screens add-on available. Check each provider's current terms for the latest limits.

Is live TV streaming worth it compared to cable?

For most households, yes. YouTube TV at $83 per month with no equipment fees, no contract and unlimited DVR is typically cheaper than an equivalent cable package, which often adds $10-20 per month in equipment and broadcast fees. The savings are larger for households that rent multiple cable boxes. The trade-off is that streaming requires a reliable internet connection and occasionally buffers during peak usage.

The live TV streaming market is mature enough that every major service works reliably on the devices most viewers already own. The decision comes down to what you watch and what you are willing to pay. Start with your must-have channels, check availability at your ZIP code, and compare the total monthly cost including any add-ons you need. For more on the devices and apps that support these services, see the apps and players guide.