The demand for live TV streaming services has surged as viewers seek more flexible and cost-effective alternatives to traditional cable and satellite TV. These services offer a wide range of live channels, including news, sports, and entertainment, along with DVR capabilities and on-demand content. To help you find the best fit, this article highlights the top live TV streaming services that offer 7-day or 30-day free trials.
1. Hulu + Live TV
Overview
Hulu + Live TV combines Hulu’s extensive on-demand library with over 75 live channels, including sports, news, and entertainment. It’s an all-in-one solution for cord-cutters.
Trial Period
Hulu + Live TV offers a 7-day free trial.
Features
- Live Channels: Includes major networks like ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX, as well as cable channels like ESPN, CNN, and HGTV.
- On-Demand Library: Access to Hulu’s vast library of TV shows, movies, and originals.
- DVR: 50 hours of cloud DVR storage, upgradeable to 200 hours.
- Multiple Profiles: Allows up to six user profiles per account.
Subscription Options
- Hulu + Live TV: $69.99 per month.
- Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV: $82.99 per month.
2. YouTube TV
Overview
YouTube TV offers a robust selection of live channels with unlimited DVR storage, making it a popular choice for sports fans and families.
Trial Period
YouTube TV offers a 14-day free trial.
Features
- Live Channels: Over 85 channels, including local broadcast networks, sports channels, and premium cable networks.
- Unlimited DVR: Unlimited cloud DVR storage with recordings kept for up to 9 months.
- Multiple Streams: Up to three simultaneous streams per account.
- User Profiles: Six accounts per household, each with its own recommendations and DVR.
Subscription Options
- Monthly Subscription: $72.99 per month.
3. Sling TV
Overview
Sling TV is known for its flexible and customizable channel packages, making it a budget-friendly option for live TV streaming.
Trial Period
Sling TV offers a 7-day free trial.
Features
- Channel Packages: Two base packages (Sling Orange and Sling Blue), each with different channel lineups, and the option to combine them.
- Add-Ons: Numerous add-on packages for sports, kids, news, and premium channels.
- DVR: 50 hours of cloud DVR included, upgradeable to 200 hours.
- Multiple Streams: Sling Orange allows one stream at a time, Sling Blue allows three streams, and the combined package allows four streams.
Subscription Options
- Sling Orange or Sling Blue: $40 per month.
- Sling Orange + Blue: $55 per month.
4. fuboTV
Overview
fuboTV is a top choice for sports enthusiasts, offering a wide array of sports channels along with general entertainment and news networks.
Trial Period
fuboTV offers a 7-day free trial.
Features
- Sports Channels: Extensive sports coverage including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, soccer, and more.
- Live Channels: Over 100 live channels, including major networks and cable channels.
- DVR: 250 hours of cloud DVR storage, upgradeable to 1,000 hours.
- Multiple Streams: Up to three simultaneous streams.
Subscription Options
- Pro Plan: $74.99 per month.
- Elite Plan: $84.99 per month.
- Ultimate Plan: $99.99 per month.
5. Philo
Overview
Philo is a budget-friendly live TV streaming service that focuses on entertainment and lifestyle channels, excluding sports and local broadcast networks.
Trial Period
Philo offers a 7-day free trial.
Features
- Channel Lineup: Over 60 channels including AMC, Comedy Central, Discovery, and HGTV.
- DVR: Unlimited cloud DVR with recordings saved for up to 1 year.
- Multiple Streams: Up to three simultaneous streams.
- On-Demand Library: Extensive library of on-demand content from its live channels.
Subscription Options
- Monthly Subscription: $25 per month.
6. DIRECTV STREAM
Overview
DIRECTV STREAM provides a wide range of live channels, including sports, news, and entertainment, along with regional sports networks.
Trial Period
DIRECTV STREAM offers a 5-day free trial.
Features
- Channel Lineup: Over 65 channels in the base package, with options to upgrade for more channels.
- DVR: Unlimited cloud DVR storage.
- Multiple Streams: Up to 20 simultaneous streams at home and three on-the-go.
- On-Demand: Extensive on-demand library with thousands of titles.
Subscription Options
- Entertainment Package: $74.99 per month.
- Choice Package: $99.99 per month.
- Ultimate Package: $109.99 per month.
- Premier Package: $154.99 per month.
7. Vidgo
Overview
Vidgo offers a comprehensive lineup of live TV channels with a strong focus on sports and family entertainment.
Trial Period
Vidgo offers a 7-day free trial.
Features
- Channel Lineup: Over 95 live channels including sports, news, and entertainment.
- Social TV: Interactive features that allow users to chat and interact while watching live TV.
- DVR: 20 hours of free cloud DVR, with more available at an additional cost.
- Multiple Streams: Up to three simultaneous streams.
Subscription Options
- Plus Package: $69.99 per month.
- Premium Package: $84.99 per month.
8. AT&T TV
Overview
AT&T TV offers a broad range of live TV channels, on-demand content, and the ability to bundle with AT&T internet services.
Trial Period
AT&T TV offers a 14-day free trial.
Features
- Channel Lineup: Includes local channels, popular cable networks, and premium options.
- DVR: 20 hours of cloud DVR storage, upgradeable to unlimited.
- Multiple Streams: Up to three simultaneous streams.
- Bundling Options: Can be bundled with AT&T internet for additional savings.
Subscription Options
- Entertainment Package: $69.99 per month.
- Choice Package: $89.99 per month.
- Ultimate Package: $104.99 per month.
- Premier Package: $149.99 per month.
9. Pluto TV
Overview
Pluto TV is a free, ad-supported streaming service offering a variety of live TV channels and on-demand content. While it doesn’t offer a traditional free trial since it’s free, it’s worth mentioning due to its unique value proposition.
Features
- Channel Lineup: Over 250 live channels including news, sports, movies, and entertainment.
- On-Demand Library: Thousands of on-demand titles available.
- Accessibility: Available on a wide range of devices with no subscription required.
Subscription Options
- Free: No subscription fee, supported by ads.
10. Xfinity Stream
Overview
Xfinity Stream is an extension of Comcast’s cable service, offering live TV streaming along with on-demand content and DVR capabilities.
Trial Period
Xfinity Stream typically offers a 7-day free trial for new users.
Features
- Live Channels: Access to the same channels available through Comcast cable, including local channels and premium networks.
- DVR: Cloud DVR storage with various storage options.
- On-Demand: Extensive on-demand library including movies and TV shows.
- Multiple Streams: Up to five simultaneous streams.
Subscription Options
- Varies: Subscription costs vary based on the cable package chosen.
Conclusion
With a multitude of live TV streaming services available, each offering unique features and channel lineups, there’s a service to meet every viewer’s needs. Taking advantage of free trials ranging from 7 days to 30 days allows you to explore these platforms and determine which one best fits your viewing habits and preferences. Whether you’re looking for comprehensive sports coverage, budget-friendly options, or extensive on-demand libraries, these top live TV streaming services provide a wealth of choices to enhance your entertainment experience.