Earlier than you are tempted to connect your self to a cable subscription, perhaps it is time to contemplate a live TV streaming service and let the wire go. The variety of packages accessible right now — for each form of finances — is on the rise; nevertheless, stay TV streaming companies permit you to keep away from these annoying contracts. Additionally they supply a wide range of channels, DVR and the flexibility to stream sports activities and different content material. Plus, most companies allow you to watch in your laptop computer or cellphone.
Month-to-month pricing and regional sports activities networks could make it a problem when selecting a stay TV streamer however six primary companies to contemplate (we’re not together with smaller ones) are Fubo, Philo, Sling TV, DirecTV, YouTube TV and Hulu Plus Live TV.
It actually boils right down to the channels, proper? We have examined which platforms characteristic probably the most high 100 channels of their primary lineups that will help you decide which one is finest in your family.
The Massive Chart: Prime 100 channels in contrast (up to date Feb. 2026)
The principle distinction between the companies lies of their channel choice. All of them supply completely different lineups of channels for numerous costs.
Beneath, you will discover a chart that exhibits the highest 100 channels throughout all six companies. Be aware 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 “high” channels made the minimize. Sorry, AXS TV, Discovery Life, GSN and Common HD.
Fubo and NBCUniversal nonetheless haven’t resolved their carriage dispute, leading to a spot in Fubo’s channel lineup however a drop in month-to-month subscription costs. DirecTV affords signature streaming packages, and its primary plan begins at $90 per 30 days, plus charges (excluding promotional charges). With channel losses and value hikes, a few of the companies could seem much less interesting.
Sling TV has made some adjustments to its Blue package deal in 2026. The worth is $46 a month if you have no native stations however the value has elevated by $4 for individuals who do. In case you have one or two native networks, corresponding to NBC or Fox, the month-to-month price is $50. Clients with three or extra native stations of their Sling Blue package deal now pay $55 per 30 days.
Philo affords a small roster however packages HBO Max, Discovery Plus and AMC Plus entry with it at no further cost. However prices proceed to go up and people adjustments are mirrored within the chart under the place relevant.
Some extra stuff to know concerning the chart:
- Sure = The channel is offered on the most affordable pricing tier. That value is listed subsequent to the service’s identify.
- No = The channel is not accessible in any respect on that service.
- $ = The channel is offered 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 displaying regular-season video games of specific professional baseball, basketball and hockey groups — will not be listed. DirecTV’s $130 tier has probably the most RSNs by far, however a couple of can be found on different companies. It’s also possible to take a look at its MySports package for $70 and Xfinity’s sports and news providing.
- Native ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, MyNetworkTV and The CW networks will not be accessible in each metropolis. As a result of the provision of those channels varies, you will need to examine the service’s web site to confirm that it carries your native community.
- Native PBS stations are solely at present accessible on DirecTV, Hulu Dwell and YouTube TV. Once more, you will need to examine native availability.
- Sling Blue subscribers in cities like Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York Metropolis pay further for entry to channels like NBC and ABC. Verify Sling’s site to see which native channels can be found in your space.
- Fubo subscribers get an $11 value lower on its Professional and Elite plans amid the NBCU carriage dispute, however you could discover that the ACC Community and SEC Community are included with the TV package deal at no further price. Verify availability in your state.
- The chart columns are organized so as of value, so if you cannot see all the pieces you need, strive scrolling proper.
- Overwhelmed? An easier-to-understand Google Spreadsheet is here.
Philo vs. Sling TV vs. Fubo vs. YouTube TV vs. DirecTV vs. Hulu: Prime 100 channels in contrast
| Channel | Philo ($33) | Sling Orange ($46) | Sling Blue ($46) | Fubo ($74) | YouTube TV ($83) | DirecTV ($90) | Hulu with Dwell TV ($90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complete channels: | 43 | 24 | 34 | 39 | 78 | 56 | 75 |
| ABC | No | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| CBS | No | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| Fox | No | No | Sure (some markets) | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| NBC | No | No | Sure (some markets0 | No (resulting from carriage dispute) | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| PBS | No | No | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| CW | No | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure (restricted) | Sure |
| MyNetworkTV | No | No | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| Channel | Philo ($33) | Sling Orange ($46) | Sling Blue ($46) | Fubo ($74) | YouTube TV ($83) | DirecTV ($90) | Hulu with Dwell TV ($90) |
| A&E | Sure | Sure | Sure | No | No | $ | Sure |
| ACC Community | No | $ | No | Sure | Sure | $ | Sure |
| Accuweather | Sure | No | No | Sure | No | Sure | No |
| AMC | Sure | Sure | Sure | No | Sure | Sure | No |
| Animal Planet | Sure | No | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| BBC America | Sure | Sure | Sure | No | Sure | Sure | No |
| BBC World Information | Sure | $ | $ | No | Sure | $ | No |
| BET | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| Massive Ten Community | No | No | $ | Sure | Sure | $ | Sure |
| Bloomberg TV | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | No | Sure | Sure |
| Boomerang | No | $ | $ | No | No | Sure | $ |
| Bravo | No | No | Sure | No (resulting from carriage dispute) | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| Channel | Philo ($33) | Sling Orange ($46) | Sling Blue ($46) | Fubo ($74) | YouTube TV ($83) | DirecTV ($90) | Hulu with Dwell TV ($90) |
| Cartoon Community | No | No | Sure | No | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| CBS Sports activities Community | No | No | No | Sure | Sure | $ | Sure |
| Cheddar | Sure | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| Cinemax | No | No | No | No | $ | $ | $ |
| CMT | Sure | $ | $ | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| CNBC | No | No | $ | No (resulting from carriage dispute) | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| CNN | No | Sure | Sure | No | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| Comedy Central | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| Cooking Channel | Sure | $ | $ | $ | No | $ | $ |
| Vacation spot America | Sure | $ | $ | $ | No | $ | $ |
| Discovery Channel | Sure | No | Sure | No | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| Disney Channel | No | Sure | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| Disney Junior | No | $ | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| Disney XD | No | $ | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| E! | No | No | Sure | No (resulting from carriage dispute) | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| ESPN | No | Sure | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| ESPN 2 | No | Sure | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| ESPNEWS | No | $ | No | $ | Sure | $ | Sure |
| ESPNU | No | $ | No | $ | Sure | $ | Sure |
| Channel | Philo ($33) | Sling Orange ($46) | Sling Blue ($46) | Fubo ($74) | YouTube TV ($83) | DirecTV ($90) | Hulu with Dwell TV ($90) |
| Meals Community | Sure | Sure | Sure | No | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| Fox Enterprise | No | No | $ | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| Fox Information | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| FS1 | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| FS2 | No | No | $ | Sure | Sure | $ | Sure |
| Freeform | No | Sure | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| FX | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| FX Motion pictures | No | No | $ | $ | Sure | $ | Sure |
| FXX | No | No | $ | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| FYI | Sure | $ | $ | No | No | $ | Sure |
| Golf Channel | No | No | $ | No (resulting from carriage dispute) | Sure | $ | Sure |
| Hallmark | Sure | $ | $ | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| HBO/Max | No | No | No | No | $ | $ | $ |
| HGTV | Sure | Sure | Sure | No | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| Historical past | Sure | Sure | Sure | No | No | $ | Sure |
| HLN | No | $ | Sure | No | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| IFC | Sure | Sure | Sure | No | Sure | Sure | No |
| Investigation Discovery | Sure | Sure | Sure | No | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| Lifetime | Sure | Sure | Sure | No | No | $ | Sure |
| Lifetime Film Community | Sure | $ | $ | No | No | $ | Sure |
| Channel | Philo ($33) | Sling Orange ($46) | Sling Blue ($46) | FuboTV ($74) | YouTube TV ($83) | DirecTV ($90) | Hulu with Dwell TV ($90) |
| Magnolia Community | Sure | $ | $ | No | Sure | $ | Sure |
| MeTV | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | No | Sure | No |
| MGM+ | $ | $ | $ | No | $ | $ | No |
| MLB Community | No | $ | $ | $ | No | $ | Sure |
| Motor Development | Sure | Sure | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| MSNBC | No | No | Sure | No (resulting from carriage dispute) | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| MTV | Sure | $ | $ | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| MTV2 | Sure | $ | $ | $ | Sure | Sure | $ |
| Nationwide Geographic | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | No | Sure |
| Nat Geo Wild | No | No | $ | $ | Sure | $ | Sure |
| NBA TV | No | $ | $ | $ | Sure | $ | No |
| NFL Community | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | $ | Sure |
| NFL Purple Zone | No | No | $ | $ | $ | No | $ |
| NHL Community | No | $ | $ | $ | No | $ | No |
| Nickelodeon | Sure | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| Nick Jr. | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | $ | Sure |
| Nicktoons | Sure | $ | $ | $ | Sure | $ | $ |
| OWN | Sure | No | No | No | Sure | $ | Sure |
| Oxygen | No | No | $ | Sure | Sure | $ | Sure |
| Paramount Community | Sure | $ | $ | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| Science | Sure | $ | $ | $ | No | $ | $ |
| Channel | Philo ($33) | Sling Orange ($46) | Sling Blue ($46) | FuboTV ($74) | YouTube TV ($83) | DirecTV ($90) | Hulu with Dwell TV ($90) |
| SEC Community | No | $ | No | $ | Sure | $ | Sure |
| Showtime | No | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ |
| Smithsonian | Sure | No | No | Sure | Sure | $ | Sure |
| Starz | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ |
| Sundance TV | Sure | $ | $ | No | Sure | Sure | No |
| Syfy | No | No | Sure | No (resulting from carriage dispute) | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| Tastemade | Sure | $ | $ | Sure | Sure | $ | No |
| TBS | No | Sure | Sure | No | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| TCM | No | $ | $ | No | Sure | $ | Sure |
| TeenNick | Sure | $ | $ | $ | Sure | Sure | $ |
| Telemundo | No | No | No | Sure | Sure | $ | Sure |
| Tennis Channel | No | $ | $ | $ | No | $ | No |
| TLC | Sure | No | Sure | No | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| TNT | No | Sure | Sure | No | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| Journey Channel | Sure | Sure | Sure | No | Sure | $ | Sure |
| TruTV | No | $ | Sure | No | Sure | $ | Sure |
| TV Land | Sure | $ | $ | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| USA Community | No | No | Sure | No (resulting from carriage dispute) | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| VH1 | Sure | $ | $ | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| Vice | Sure | Sure | Sure | No | No | $ | Sure |
| WE television | Sure | $ | $ | No | Sure | Sure | No |
| Channel | Philo ($33) | Sling Orange ($46) | Sling Blue ($46) | FuboTV ($74) | YouTube TV ($83) | DirecTV ($90) | Hulu with Dwell TV ($90) |
Hulu Plus Dwell TV, which incorporates entry to Disney Plus, Hulu on-demand 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 significant catalog of on-demand content material units it aside. ABC exhibits like Excessive Potential and unique titles corresponding to Shōgun, The Bear and Only Murders in the Building give it a content material benefit.
Dwell TV subscribers additionally obtain limitless DVR that features fast-forwarding and on-demand playback — at no further price. It is a transfer that has aligned Hulu with its rivals by way of options however the channel lineup should still be a deciding issue. It is pricier than YouTube TV, which has extra channels, however the entry to Disney Plus and ESPN might make it a extra interesting alternative for you. Read our Hulu Plus Live TV review.
Aside from its present carriage dispute with Disney, YouTube has a superb channel choice, easy-to-use interface and best-in-class cloud DVR. Usually, the $83-per-month service is among the finest cable TV replacements. It affords a 4K improve add-on for a further value, however the draw back is that there is not a lot to observe at current until you watch choose channels. If you happen to do not thoughts paying a bit greater than the Sling TVs of the world, or need to watch stay NBA video games, YouTube TV affords a excessive normal of stay TV streaming. Read our YouTube TV review.
If you wish to save a bit cash and do not thoughts lacking out on native channels, Sling TV is one of the best of the finances companies. Its Orange and Blue packages begin at $46 per 30 days, and you may mix them for a month-to-month price of $61 (extra in some areas). The Orange possibility nets you one stream, whereas Blue offers you three. It isn’t as complete or as straightforward to navigate as YouTube TV, 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 affords native channels corresponding to ABC and CBS in some areas, the place the month-to-month price is $50 or $55. Read our Sling TV review.
DirecTV’s base signature streaming package deal prices greater than all the opposite platforms on this checklist besides Hulu Plus Dwell TV, and its stiffest competitors remains 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 consists of the flipper-friendly capability to swipe left and proper to alter channels. Moreover, it consists of some channels that another companies cannot, together with practically 250 PBS stations nationwide. The $90 Leisure package deal might fit your wants with its 90-plus channels and the inclusion of ESPN Limitless. However for cord-cutters who need to observe their native NBA or MLB workforce, DirecTV’s pricier Selection 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 make sure that your channel is included right here and never accessible on considered one of our most well-liked picks earlier than you pony up. Read our DirecTV streaming service review.
There’s so much to love about Fubo — it affords a wide array 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 considered one of Fubo’s RSNs. It is also an incredible alternative for NFL followers as a result of it is considered one of three companies, alongside YouTube TV and Hulu, that provide NFL Community and elective RedZone. The most important gap in Fubo’s lineup is the shortage of Warner Bros. Discovery networks, together with Cartoon Community, CNN, Meals Community, HGTV, TBS and TNT — particularly because the latter two carry loads of sports activities content material, particularly MLB, NBA and NHL. Its present dispute with NBCU is inflicting extra channel losses (no ABC, Bravo, and so on.). These lacking channels, and the $74 price ticket for the bottom plan, make it much less engaging than YouTube TV for many viewers. Read our Fubo review.
Philo’s Core plan is now $33 and consists of the AMC Plus bundle and HBO Max at no further price, and it is nonetheless an inexpensive stay TV streaming service with a wide range of channels. Nevertheless it lacks sports activities channels, native stations and big-name information networks — though BBC Information and Cheddar can be found. Philo affords bread-and-butter cable staples like Comedy Central, Hallmark Channel and Nickelodeon, and focuses on life-style and actuality programming. It is also one of the vital reasonably priced stay companies that streams Paramount, dwelling of Yellowstone, and features a cloud DVR, in addition to elective add-ons from Hallmark Plus and Starz. We expect 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 review.
