If you need to reduce the twine or simply need to preserve your common TV plan, you have bought numerous decisions, however stay TV streaming companies do not require you to lock in to a pesky contract. They provide an assortment of channels, embody DVR capabilities and provide the flexibility to stream sports activities and extra. Most companies additionally permit you to watch in your laptop computer or telephone. Picking the best platform might be difficult because of pricing and regional sports activities networks, however there are six most important platforms to consider (we’re not together with smaller ones): Fubo, Philo, Sling TV, DirecTV, YouTube TV and Hulu Plus Live TV. YouTube TV and Disney labored issues out, however Fubo misplaced a set of channels from NBCUniversal, together with USA, Bravo, MS NOW and NBC. You must also remember that Philo’s month-to-month worth went up, and Hulu’s stay TV platform now prices extra. But it actually boils all the way down to the channels, proper? We’ve examined which platforms function probably the most high 100 channels of their most important lineups that can assist you decide which one is finest to your family. The Big Chart: Top 100 channels in contrast (up to date December 2025)The most important distinction between the companies lies of their channel choice. All of them provide totally different lineups of channels for numerous costs. Below, you will discover a chart that reveals the highest 100 channels throughout all six companies. Note that not each service has a worthy 100. There are literally seven listed as a result of Sling TV has two “base” tiers, Orange and Blue. And should you’re questioning, I selected which “top” channels made the reduce. Sorry, AXS TV, Discovery Life, GSN and Universal HD.DirecTV provides signature streaming packages, and its primary plan begins at $90 a month with charges (with out the promo charges). YouTube TV, Sling, Fubo and Hulu Plus Live TV’s plans all value extra, affecting the worth of those companies based mostly on their channel lineups. With channel losses and worth hikes, a few of companies could seem much less interesting.However, there are quite a few stay TV streaming decisions obtainable. Sling TV’s primary month-to-month packages are $46 in most cities and Philo provides a small roster however packages HBO Max and AMC Plus entry with it. But prices proceed to go up and people modifications are mirrored within the chart under the place relevant. Some extra stuff to know concerning the chart: Yes = The channel is obtainable on the most affordable pricing tier. That worth is listed subsequent to the service’s title.No = The channel is not obtainable in any respect on that service. $ = The channel is obtainable for an additional payment, both a la carte or as a part of a costlier package deal or add-on.Regional sports activities networks — native channels dedicated to exhibiting regular-season video games of explicit professional baseball, basketball and hockey groups — are usually not listed. DirecTV’s $130 tier has probably the most RSNs by far however a couple of can be found on different companies. You may try its MySports package deal for $70 and Xfinity’s sports activities and information providing.Local ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, MyNetworkTV and The CW networks are usually not obtainable in each metropolis. Because the provision of those channels varies, you will need to examine the service’s web site to confirm that it carries your native community.Local PBS stations are solely at present obtainable on DirecTV, Hulu Live and YouTube TV. Again, you will need to examine native availability.Sling Blue subscribers in cities like Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City should now pay $51 per thirty days, however have entry to native ABC, Fox and NBC channels. Customers in Houston, Fresno, California, and Raleigh, North Carolina, now have ABC and Fox on their Blue or Orange-and-Blue subscriptions at no additional cost. This will not be mirrored within the chart. Check Sling’s web site to see which native channels can be found in your space.Fubo subscribers could discover that the ACC Network and SEC Network are included with their package deal at no additional value. Check availability to your state.The chart columns are organized so as of worth, so if you cannot see all the things you need, strive scrolling proper.Overwhelmed? An easier-to-understand Google Spreadsheet is right here.Philo vs. Sling TV vs. Fubo vs. YouTube TV vs. DirecTV vs. Hulu: Top 100 channels in contrast Channel Philo ($33)Sling Orange ($46)Sling Blue ($46)YouTube TV ($83)Fubo ($85)DirecTV ($90)Hulu with Live TV ($90)Total channels: 43243478395675ABC NoNoNoYesYesYesYesCBS NoNoNoYesYesYesYesFox NoNoYes (some markets)YesYesYesYesNBC NoNoYes (some markets)YesNo (because of carriage dispute)YesYesPBS NoNoNoYesNoYesYesCW NoNoNoYesYesYes (restricted)YesMyNetworkTV NoNoNoYesNoYesYesChannel Philo ($33)Sling Orange ($46)Sling Blue ($46)YouTube TV ($83)Fubo ($85)DirecTV ($90)Hulu with Live TV ($90)A&E YesYesYesNoNo$YesACC Network No$NoYesYes$YesAccuweather YesNoNoNoYesYesNoAMC YesYesYesYesNoYesNoAnimal Planet YesNoNoYesNoYesYesBBC America YesYesYesYesNoYesNoBBC World News Yes$$YesNo$NoBET YesYesYesYesYesYesYesBig Ten Network NoNo$YesYes$YesBloomberg TV NoYesYesNoYesYesYesBoomerang No$$NoNoYes$Bravo NoNoYesYesNo (because of carriage dispute)YesYesChannel Philo ($33)Sling Orange ($46)Sling Blue ($46)YouTube TV ($83)Fubo ($85)DirecTV ($90)Hulu with Live TV ($90)Cartoon Network NoNoYesYesNoYesYesCBS Sports Network NoNoNoYesYes$YesCheddar YesNoNoYesYesYesYesCinemax NoNoNo$No$$CMT Yes$$YesYesYesYesCNBC NoNo$YesNo (because of carriage dispute)YesYesCNN NoYesYesYesNoYesYesComedy Central YesYesYesYesYesYesYesCooking Channel Yes$$No$$$Destination America Yes$$No$$$Discovery Channel YesNoYesYesNoYesYesDisney Channel NoYesNoYesYesYesYesDisney Junior No$NoYesYesYesYesDisney XD No$NoYesYesYesYesE! NoNoYesYesNo (because of carriage dispute)YesYesESPN NoYesNoYesYesYesYesESPN 2 NoYesNoYesYesYesYesESPNEWS No$NoYes$$YesESPNU No$NoYes$$YesChannel Philo ($33)Sling Orange ($46)Sling Blue ($46)YouTube TV ($83)Fubo ($85)DirecTV ($90)Hulu with Live TV ($90)Food Network YesYesYesYesNoYesYesFox Business NoNo$YesYesYesYesFox News NoNoYesYesYesYesYesFS1 NoNoYesYesYesYesYesFS2 NoNo$YesYes$YesFreeform NoYesNoYesYesYesYesFX NoNoYesYesYesYesYesFX Movies NoNo$Yes$$YesFXX NoNo$YesYesYesYesFYI Yes$$NoNo$YesGolf Channel NoNo$YesNo (because of carriage dispute)$YesHallmark Yes$$YesYesYesYesHBO/Max NoNoNo$No$$HGTV YesYesYesYesNoYesYesHistorical past YesYesYesNoNo$YesHLN No$YesYesNoYesYesIFC YesYesYesYesNoYesNoInvestigation Discovery YesYesYesYesNoYesYesLifetime YesYesYesNoNo$YesLifetime Movie Network Yes$$NoNo$YesChannel Philo ($33)Sling Orange ($46)Sling Blue ($46)YouTube TV ($83)FuboTV ($85)DirecTV ($90)Hulu with Live TV ($90)Magnolia Network Yes$$YesNo$YesMeTV YesYesYesNoYesYesNoMGM+ $$$$No$NoMLB Network No$$No$$YesMotor Trend YesYesNoYesNoYesYesMS NOW NoNoYesYesNo (because of carriage dispute)YesYesMTV Yes$$YesYesYesYesMTV2 Yes$$Yes$Yes$National Geographic NoNoYesYesYesNoYesNat Geo Wild NoNo$Yes$$YesNBA TV No$$Yes$$NoNFL Network NoNoYesYesYes$YesNFL Red Zone NoNo$$$No$NHL Network No$$No$$NoNickelodeon YesNoNoYesYesYesYesNick Jr. YesYesYesYesYes$YesNicktoons Yes$$Yes$$$OWN YesNoNoYesNo$YesOxygen NoNo$YesYes$YesParamount Network Yes$$YesYesYesYesScience Yes$$No$$$Channel Philo ($33)Sling Orange ($46)Sling Blue ($46)YouTube TV ($83)FuboTV ($85)DirecTV ($90)Hulu with Live TV ($90)SEC Network No$NoYes$$YesShowtime No$$$$$$Smithsonian YesNoNoYesYes$YesStarz $$$$$$$Sundance TV Yes$$YesNoYesNoSyfy NoNoYesYesNo (because of carriage dispute)YesYesTastemade Yes$$YesYes$NoTBS NoYesYesYesNoYesYesTCM No$$YesNo$YesTeenNick Yes$$Yes$Yes$Telemundo NoNoNoYesYes$YesTennis Channel No$$No$$NoTLC YesNoYesYesNoYesYesTNT NoYesYesYesNoYesYesJourney Channel YesYesYesYesNo$YesTruTV No$YesYesNo$YesTV Land Yes$$YesYesYesYesUSA Network NoNoYesYesNo (because of carriage dispute)YesYesVH1 Yes$$YesYesYesYesVice YesYesYesNoNo$YesWE television Yes$$YesNoYesNoChannel Philo ($33)Sling Orange ($46)Sling Blue ($46)YouTube TV ($83)FuboTV ($85)DirecTV ($90)Hulu with Live TV ($90) James Martin/CNET Hulu Plus Live TV, which incorporates entry to Disney Plus and ESPN Plus, is among the costliest platforms, now at $90 a month for its base package deal. Its channel choice is not as strong as YouTube TV, however Hulu’s important catalog of on-demand content material units it aside. Exclusive titles comparable to Shōgun, The Bear and Only Murders within the Building give it a content material benefit.Live TV subscribers additionally obtain limitless DVR that features fast-forwarding and on-demand playback — at no further value. It’s a transfer that has aligned Hulu with its opponents when it comes to options, however the channel lineup should be a deciding issue. It’s pricier than YouTube TV, which has extra channels, however the entry to Disney Plus and ESPN could make it a extra interesting selection for you. Read our Hulu Plus Live TV evaluate. James Martin/CNET Apart from its present carriage dispute with Disney, YouTube has a superb channel choice, easy-to-use interface and best-in-class cloud DVR. Typically, the $83-per-month service is among the finest cable TV replacements. It provides a 4K improve add-on for an extra worth, however the draw back is that there is not a lot to observe at current until you watch choose channels. If you do not thoughts paying a bit greater than the Sling TVs of the world, or need to watch stay NBA video games, YouTube TV provides a excessive customary of stay TV streaming. Read our YouTube TV evaluate. Sarah Tew/CNET If you need to save a bit of cash and do not thoughts lacking out on native channels, Sling TV is the very best of the price range companies. Its Orange and Blue packages begin at $46 per thirty days, and you may mix them for a month-to-month price of $61 ($66 in some areas). The Orange choice nets you one stream, whereas Blue provides you three. It’s not as complete or as simple to navigate as YouTube, however with a bit of labor, together with including an antenna or an AirTV 2 DVR, it is an unbeatable worth. We’ll additionally add that the service provides native channels comparable to ABC and CBS in some areas the place the month-to-month price is $51. Read our Sling TV evaluate. Zooey Liao/CNET DirecTV’s base signature streaming package deal prices greater than all the opposite platforms on this listing besides Hulu Plus Live TV, and its stiffest competitors continues to be Hulu and YouTube TV. With its channel choice, it is excellent for sports activities followers who need to watch native or nationwide video games. The service does have its advantages, although — for instance, it contains the flipper-friendly means to swipe left and proper to alter channels. Additionally, it contains some channels that another companies cannot, together with practically 250 PBS stations nationwide. The $90 Entertainment package deal could fit your wants with its 100-plus channels and the inclusion of ESPN Plus, Disney Plus and Hulu. But for cord-cutters who need to comply with their native NBA or MLB staff, DirecTV’s pricier Choice package deal is a extra strong stay TV streaming choose as a result of it has entry to extra regional sports activities networks than the competitors. Nonetheless, you will need to be sure your channel is included right here and never obtainable on one in all our most well-liked picks earlier than you pony up. Read our DirecTV streaming service evaluate. Ty Pendlebury/CNET There’s lots to love about Fubo — it provides a big selection of channels and its sports activities focus makes it particularly engaging to soccer followers or NBA, NHL and MLB followers who stay in an space served by one in all Fubo’s RSNs. It’s additionally an awesome selection for NFL followers as a result of it is one in all three companies, alongside YouTube TV and Hulu, that supply NFL Network and optionally available RedZone. As of February 2025, Fubo is charging extra for its service and entry to Bally Sports RSNs. The largest gap in Fubo’s lineup is the dearth of Warner Bros. Discovery networks, together with Cartoon Network, CNN, Food Network, HGTV, TBS and TNT — particularly because the latter two carry numerous sports activities content material, specifically MLB, NBA and NHL. Those lacking channels, and the $85 price ticket for the bottom plan, make it much less engaging than YouTube TV for many viewers. Read our Fubo evaluate. Sarah Tew/CNET Philo’s Core plan is now $33 and contains the AMC Plus bundle and HBO Max at no additional value, and it is nonetheless an affordable stay TV streaming service with a wide range of channels. But it lacks sports activities channels, native stations and big-name information networks — though BBC News and Cheddar can be found. Philo provides bread-and-butter cable staples like Comedy Central, Hallmark Channel and Nickelodeon, and makes a speciality of way of life and actuality programming. It’s additionally some of the reasonably priced stay companies that streams Paramount, residence of Yellowstone, and features a cloud DVR, in addition to optionally available add-ons from Hallmark Plus and Starz. We assume most individuals are higher off paying a couple of dollars extra for Sling TV’s superior service, but when Philo has each channel you need, it is a first rate deal. Read our Philo evaluate.
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