Are you looking for the best Live TV Streaming Services for 2023? All of the best streaming tv alternatives in this review are available on a number of platforms, including smartphones, tablets, game consoles, and media streaming devices. You might still save money on your cable bill depending on which and how many services you subscribe to.
Also, check out the best streaming TV devices.
How I Selected and Rated The Best Live TV Streaming Services Below.
To pick the best Streaming tv Services I analyzed top professional sources, expert reviews on youtube, and over 5,000 user feedback. I evaluated each service based on a variety of factors and narrowed it down to the three best options. I’ll share how I selected and rated the best live TV streaming services.
To be clear, I did not evaluate the performance of most of the Streaming tv Services listed below in person. To make these selections, I relied on evaluations from tech websites such as CNET, WIRED, and several tech YouTuber reviews. As a result, my suggestions are based on research and reporting.
Check out the DIRECT STREAM review.
After researching, price, channel selection, and DVR capabilities were the three most important factors.
- Price was the first factor I considered. I looked at the monthly price of each service and weighed it against the features offered. I decided to pay a little extra for a service that offered more channels and a better DVR experience.
- The channel selection was the second factor I considered. I looked at the number of channels each service offered and compared it to the price. I also considered the quality of the channels and whether they included my favorite networks.
- DVR capabilities were the third factor I considered. I looked at each service’s DVR features and compared them to my needs. I also considered the price of the DVR service and whether it was worth the extra cost.
Top Live TV Streaming Choices 2023
The best tv streaming service for 2023 is below.
- YouTube TV is the best option for DVR and overall experience ($64.99/mo.).
- Hulu + Live TV: The Best Content Combination ($69.99–$75.99/mo.).
- Philo: Best for Low-Cost Streaming ($25.00/mo.).
- fuboTV is the best option for sports fans who want to stream their favorite games ($64.99–$79.99/mo.).
- Sling TV is the best option for value-conscious streamers ($35.00–$50.00/mo.).
- DIRECTV STREAM ($69.99–$149.99/mo.) — Best for regional sports networks ($69.99–$149.99/mo.).
- Vidgo ($55.00–$79.95/mo.) has a large channel portfolio ($55.00–$79.95/mo.).
- Frndly TV — Low-cost slim bundle ($6.99–$10.99 per month)
Best 5 Streaming Devices 2023
- Roku Ultra — $92.88
- NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV 4K HDR Streaming Media Player — $149.99
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Apple TV 4K (64GB)
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$169.00
$199.00 - NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro 4K HDR Streaming Media Player — $199.99
- Fire TV Cube —
Compare live TV streaming services 2023
| Service (Best Streaming Service) |
| Price | Editorial rating | Channels | Multiple streams | Cloud DVR | Details |
| $64.99/mo. | 4.5/5 | 100+ | 3 | Unlimited (9 mos.) | YouTube TV |
| $69.99–$75.99/mo. | 4.2/5 | 70+ | 2 | 50–200 hrs. | Hulu + Live TV |
| $25.00/mo. | 3.7/5 | 60+ | 3 | Unlimited (1 yr.) | Philo |
| $64.99–$79.99/mo. | 4.0/5 | 112–160+ | 3–10 | 250–1,000 hrs. | fuboTV |
| $35.00–$50.00/mo. | 3.9/5 | 30–50+ | 1–4 | 50–200 hrs. | Sling TV |
| $69.99–$149.99/mo. | 3.5/5 | 65–140+ | 3 | 20 hrs. | DIRECTV STREAM |
| $55.00–$79.95/mo. | 3.8/5 | 95–112+ | 3 | N/A | Vidgo |
| $6.99–$10.99/mo. | 3.2/5 | 30+ | 1–4 | Unlimited (3 mos.) | Frndly TV |
In 2023, there are three things to keep in mind when choosing the best live TV streaming service.
They are Price, Channels, and Features.
- Price
- Channels
- Features
Streaming Devices 2023
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Fire TV Stick Lite
—
$24.99
$29.99 -
Fire TV Stick
—
$26.99
$39.99 - Roku Express — $29.99
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TiVo Stream 4K
—
$29.99
$39.99 -
Roku Streaming Stick 4K
—
$43.50
$49.99 - Roku Streaming Stick+ — $65.99
- Roku Streaming Stick 4K+ — $72.99
- Roku Ultra — $92.88
- NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV 4K HDR Streaming Media Player — $149.99
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Apple TV 4K (64GB)
—
$169.00
$199.00 - NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro 4K HDR Streaming Media Player — $199.99
- Fire TV Cube —
- Fire TV Stick 4K —
- All prices mentioned above are in United States dollar.
- This product is available at Amazon.com.
- At amazon.com you can purchase Fire TV Stick Lite for only $24.99
- The lowest price of NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro 4K HDR Streaming Media Player was obtained on March 28, 2023 1:53 pm.
Best Live TV Streaming Services 2023
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YouTube TV ($64.99/mo.)
YouTube TV is the best option for DVR and overall experience ($64.99/mo.).
YouTube TV blends the world’s most recognizable interface with an astonishing choice of entertainment, sports, and add-on channels.
Because of its simplicity of use, great performance, and large channel lineup, YouTube TV is the best overall live TV streaming service. It’s a little more expensive than the others, but we believe it’s well worth it.
Meanwhile, YouTube TV offers unlimited—yes, unlimited—cloud DVR storage for up to nine months of recorded programming. Because of its Google connection, YouTube TV’s search engine is also among the best in live TV streaming.
YouTube TV has only one subscription plan, which costs $64.99 a month and includes mostly entire live local channel lineups in over 100 markets, as well as on-demand versions of some networks. YouTube TV is also the only live TV streaming service that includes PBS and PBS Kids, as well as 15 premium add-on channels like HBO Max and FOX Soccer Plus.
When it comes to sports, YouTube TV includes ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2, NBC Sports Network, CBS Sports Network, and Big Ten Network. Aside from NFL Network, MLB Network, and NBA TV, it also broadcasts regional sports networks.
Check out our Youtube TV review.
YouTube TV device compatibility: YouTube TV is compatible with the following platforms: Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, LG TVs, Roku, Samsung TVs, Vizio TVs, and Xbox consoles.
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Hulu + Live TV ($69.99–$75.99/mo.)
Hulu has gotten good at live TV streaming with their creatively dubbed Hulu + Live TV. Hulu + Live TV provides you with over 70 live cable channels and, depending on your market, a near-complete local network lineup for $69.99 or $75.99 per month, in addition to on-demand Hulu content.
With ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2, and NBC Sports Network, as well as TBS and TNT, Hulu + Live TV is a treat for sports enthusiasts. Hulu + Live TV also includes a variety of regional sports networks as well as a few collegiate sports stations. The MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL major sports networks, on the other hand, are not available.
Hulu + Live TV compatible devices: Hulu + Live TV is available on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, LG TVs, Nintendo Switch, Roku, Samsung TVs, Vizio TVs, and Xbox platforms.
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Philo ($25.00/mo.).
Philo is an American online television startup located in San Francisco, California, that was started by Tuan Ho and Nicholas Krasney at Harvard University in 2010. HBO, Andrew McCollum, and Mark Cuban are among the company’s investors.
There is only one Philo bundle, which costs $25 per month and includes over 60 channels. Among the channels available are A&E, AMC, BBC America, Comedy Central, Discovery, Food Network, HGTV, VICE, and Hallmark (a rare channel in streaming).
Some of those may be familiar to you as prominent stations that aren’t available on other live TV streaming platforms.
There are no sports channels and only a few news stations: The pricing is excellent for a solid package of entertainment channels, but there’s a reason you’re getting such a good deal. Philo does not prioritize sports, news channels, or local channel access, so you won’t find ESPN, CNN, or your local NBC station on this service.
If you love recording and saving your favorite episodes, Philo’s cloud DVR will save your recordings for a full year, which is three months longer than YouTube TV.
Philo device compatibility: Philo is compatible with the Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, and Roku platforms.
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fuboTV ($64.99–$79.99/mo.).
fuboTV is the best option for sports fans who want to stream their favorite games ($64.99–$79.99/mo.).
At $64.99 a month, the fubo Starter bundle includes 112+ live TV streaming channels, including entertainment classics like FX, AMC, Syfy, and Comedy Central. Local channels are more difficult to come by.
At $79.99 per month, fubo’s Elite package includes 160+ channels, including SHOWTIME. It also includes a 1,000-hour DVR upgrade. Elite is the way to go if you want a truly comprehensive live TV streaming experience.
While the sports channel list is amazing, there are also news channels like as Fox News, MSNBC, and CNBC. For entertainment, you can watch HGTV, Food Network, A&E, Bravo, Discovery, and other networks.
The monthly cost of fuboTV is almost the same as a cable or satellite subscription. Fubo offers a lot, but it comes at a price.
Devices that work with fuboTV: Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, and Samsung TVs all support fuboTV.
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Sling TV ($35.00–$50.00/mo.).
Sling TV is the best option for value-conscious streamers ($35.00–$50.00/mo.). Sling TV’s basic plans are less expensive but a little complicated, but the service is very configurable, with a variety of add-on packages to choose from, including one for kids.
For casual TV viewers, the Sling Orange (30 channels for $35 per month) and Sling Blue (40 channels for $35 per month) bundles aren’t bad. Sling Orange + Blue (50 channels for $50 per month) is the most comprehensive plan offered by Sling TV, therefore it will likely appeal to more demanding customers.
Because not all local channels are available with every Sling package, you may need to use a digital antenna or another method to keep up with the news in your area. Sling does not have any ABC or CBS affiliates, although it does have certain NBC and Fox stations in some cities.
Sling TV device compatibility: AirTV Player, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, LG TVs, Roku, Samsung TVs, Vizio TVs, and Xbox consoles are all compatible with Sling TV.
What to look for in a live TV streaming service
Are your streaming device and apps compatible?
It’s as simple as downloading an app to set up and check out a streaming TV service but is that app compatible with your favorite set-top box or mobile devices? The majority of the services listed here are accessible as smart TV applications, but for better stability and performance, we recommend streaming devices like Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, and Roku.
Does the service carry local channels?
Live episodes of your favorite shows are broadcast on local networks such as ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS, and The CW. You can lose out on local affiliate channels, as well as local sports, news, and weather, if your streaming TV provider doesn’t cover them.
Check the availability of local affiliates on streaming TV services you’re interested in if these are relevant to you. If they aren’t accessible, a digital antenna can fill in the gaps.
Is cloud DVR space included?
The majority of live TV streaming services now provide cloud DVR storage. They do, however, have space and time limits, similar to a traditional DVR. Some “unlimited” packages may simply allow you to keep all of your favorite episodes for a few months, while others may just provide you few hours.
Does the service offer a free trial?
The free trial period is one of the ever-so-amazing features of streaming TV providers. Unlike cable or satellite, there are no installation appointments or obligations with streaming TV services, so giving them a try is straightforward and free. The trial periods are normally seven days long, but they are sufficient.
Top Streaming Devices 2023
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Live TV streaming FAQ
What is streaming TV?
The digital delivery of television content, such as TV programs, as streaming media supplied over the Internet is known as streaming television. Dedicated terrestrial television is supplied over-the-air aerial systems, cable television, and/or satellite television systems, whereas streaming TV is delivered over-the-air aerial systems, cable television, and/or satellite television systems.
Which streaming services have local channels?
Live television streaming services Local channels are accessible in most areas on YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, fuboTV, Sling TV, DIRECTV STREAM, and Vidgo, however coverage varies by region. There are no local channels on Philo or Frndly TV.
What is the cheapest live TV streaming service with local channels?
Sling TV’s Sling Blue package, which in most regions includes local FOX and NBC networks, is the most affordable live TV streaming service featuring local channels. You’d have to pay for a more expensive service like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV or buy an over-the-air antenna to get free local broadcasts, to watch additional local channels.
What’s the cheapest way to stream live TV?
Some ad-supported streaming services, such as Pluto TV, Tubi, Sling Free, and Peacock’s free tier, offer a small amount of live TV content as well as non-live material that loops 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Do I need a fast internet connection for live TV streaming?
Most providers require a minimum of 7 Mbps internet connection for streaming, whether it’s on-demand or live TV. However, such speed is only acceptable for a single stream and is based on the rare case that no one else is using the network at the same time.
For seamless, non-buffering streaming, we recommend at least 25 Mbps, and at least double that for 4K resolution or a home with numerous users, especially gamers.
What’s the difference between live TV streaming and on-demand streaming TV?
The important term in live TV streaming is “live”—it’s content that’s now airing on TV networks. It’s the same as cable or satellite TV, only it’s delivered through the internet.
As with Netflix, the most popular on-demand provider, and YouTube, “on-demand” streaming indicates that episodes and movies may be accessed anytime you want to watch them. Technically, shows recorded on a physical or cloud DVR might be referred to as “on-demand.”
