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    Live TV Streaming Channel Showdown: Sling, YouTube TV and More Compared

    It’s a brand new 12 months, and also you’re in all probability seeking to trim prices. If you are serious about slicing the twine otherwise you favor a standard TV plan, you may have loads of choices to select from. However, stay TV streaming providers let you keep away from these annoying contracts. They additionally provide a wide range of channels, DVR and the power to stream sports activities and different content material. Plus, most providers allow you to watch in your laptop computer or cellphone.  Monthly pricing and regional sports activities networks could make it a problem when selecting a stay TV streamer, however listed below are six predominant providers to contemplate (we’re not together with smaller ones): Fubo, Philo, Sling TV, DirecTV, YouTube TV and Hulu Plus Live TV. It actually boils all the way down to the channels, proper? We’ve examined which platforms function probably the most prime 100 channels of their predominant lineups that will help you decide which one is greatest on your family. The Big Chart: Top 100 channels in contrast (up to date Jan. 2026)The predominant distinction between the providers lies of their channel choice. All of them provide totally different lineups of channels for varied costs.  Below, you may discover a chart that reveals the highest 100 channels throughout all six providers. 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 minimize. Sorry, AXS TV, Discovery Life, GSN and Universal HD.Fubo and NBCUniversal have nonetheless not resolved their carriage dispute, leading to a spot within the channel lineup on Fubo. DirecTV gives signature streaming packages, and its fundamental plan begins at $90 per 30 days, plus charges (excluding promotional charges). YouTube TV, Sling, Fubo and Hulu Plus Live TV’s plans all price extra, affecting the worth of those providers based mostly on their channel lineups. With channel losses and worth hikes, a few of providers could appear much less interesting.However, there are quite a few stay TV streaming decisions obtainable. Sling TV’s fundamental month-to-month packages are $46 in most cities and Philo gives 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 cost effective pricing tier. That worth is listed subsequent to the service’s identify.No = The channel is not obtainable in any respect on that service. $ = The channel is obtainable for an additional price, both a la carte or as a part of a costlier package deal or add-on.Regional sports activities networks — native channels dedicated to displaying 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 number of can be found on different providers. You may take a look at 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 may wish to test the service’s web site to confirm that it carries your native community.Local PBS stations are solely at the moment obtainable on DirecTV, Hulu Live and YouTube TV. Again, you may wish to test native availability.Sling Blue subscribers in cities like Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City should now pay $51 per 30 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 shouldn’t be mirrored within the chart. Check Sling’s website to see which native channels can be found in your space.Fubo subscribers might discover that the ACC Network and SEC Network are included with their package deal at no additional price. Check availability on your state.The chart columns are organized so as of worth, so if you cannot see the whole lot you need, attempt 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, Hulu on-demand and ESPN Plus, is among the most costly platforms, now at $90 a month for its base package deal. Its channel choice is not as sturdy as YouTube TV, however Hulu’s important catalog of on-demand content material units it aside. ABC reveals like High Potential and unique titles resembling 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 price. It’s a transfer that has aligned Hulu with its rivals by way of 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 might make it a extra interesting selection for you. Read our Hulu Plus Live TV evaluation. James Martin/CNET Apart from its present carriage dispute with Disney, YouTube has a wonderful channel choice, easy-to-use interface and best-in-class cloud DVR. Typically, the $83-per-month service is among the greatest cable TV replacements. It gives 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 wish to watch stay NBA video games, YouTube TV gives a excessive customary of stay TV streaming. Read our YouTube TV evaluation. Sarah Tew/CNET If you wish to save slightly cash and do not thoughts lacking out on native channels, Sling TV is the most effective of the price range providers. Its Orange and Blue packages begin at $46 per 30 days, and you may mix them for a month-to-month charge of $61 ($66 in some areas). The Orange possibility 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 gives native channels resembling ABC and CBS in some areas the place the month-to-month charge is $51. Read our Sling TV evaluation. Zooey Liao/CNET DirecTV’s base signature streaming package deal prices greater than all the opposite platforms on this checklist  besides Hulu Plus Live TV, and its stiffest competitors remains to be Hulu and YouTube TV. With its channel choice, it is very best for sports activities followers who wish to watch native or nationwide video games. The service does have its advantages, although — for instance, it contains the flipper-friendly capability to swipe left and proper to alter channels. Additionally, it contains some channels that another providers cannot, together with practically 250 PBS stations nationwide. The $90 Entertainment package deal might fit your wants with its 90-plus channels and the inclusion of ESPN Unlimited. But for cord-cutters who wish to comply with their native NBA or MLB group, DirecTV’s pricier Choice package deal is a extra sturdy stay TV streaming decide as a result of it has entry to extra regional sports activities networks than the competitors. Nonetheless, you may wish to ensure your channel is included right here and never obtainable on considered one of our most well-liked picks earlier than you pony up. Read our DirecTV streaming service evaluation. Ty Pendlebury/CNET There’s quite a bit to love about Fubo — it gives a big selection of channels and its sports activities focus makes it particularly enticing to soccer followers or NBA, NHL and MLB followers who stay in an space served by considered one of Fubo’s RSNs. It’s additionally an incredible selection for NFL followers as a result of it is considered one of three providers, alongside YouTube TV and Hulu, that supply NFL Network and non-compulsory RedZone. The greatest gap in Fubo’s lineup is the shortage of Warner Bros. Discovery networks, together with Cartoon Network, CNN, Food Network, HGTV, TBS and TNT — particularly because the latter two carry quite a lot of sports activities content material, particularly MLB, NBA and NHL. Its present dispute with NBCU is inflicting extra channel losses (no ABC, Bravo, and many others.). Those lacking channels, and the $85 price ticket for the bottom plan, make it much less enticing than YouTube TV for many viewers. Read our Fubo evaluation. Sarah Tew/CNET Philo’s Core plan is now $33 and contains the AMC Plus bundle and HBO Max at no additional price, 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 gives 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 providers that streams Paramount, dwelling of Yellowstone, and features a cloud DVR, in addition to non-compulsory add-ons from Hallmark Plus and Starz. We suppose most individuals are higher off paying a couple of bucks extra for Sling TV’s superior service, but when Philo has each channel you need, it is a first rate deal. Read our Philo evaluation.

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