Live TV streaming services give you cable style channels, including locals, news and sports, over the internet with no contract and no cable box. The catch is that prices have kept climbing, and the market looks different than it did a year ago: Hulu + Live TV and Fubo are now under one roof, YouTube TV sells cheaper genre plans, and Disney raised its live bundle again in September. Here is how the main options compare in October 2026.
Live TV streaming prices compared
These are the standard monthly prices for new subscribers before taxes, regional sports fees and add ons. Channel lineups vary by ZIP code, so always enter your address on the service’s site before you sign up.
| Service | Main plan price | Local channels | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV | $82.99 | Yes | Most households |
| Hulu + Live TV | $99.99 (with Disney+ and ESPN) | Yes | Bundle lovers |
| DirecTV Stream | $89.99 Entertainment | Yes | Regional sports |
| Fubo | About $89 and up | Yes | Sports channel count |
| Sling Orange or Blue | $45.99 each, $60.99 both | Limited (Blue only) | Budget cable |
| Philo | $25 | No | Entertainment only |
YouTube TV: best overall
YouTube TV is the closest thing to a drop in cable replacement. The Base Plan costs $82.99 a month, a price that has held since January 2025, and includes more than 100 channels with your major local networks, ESPN, CNN, Fox News and the usual entertainment lineup. Unlimited cloud DVR is included, and recordings stay available for nine months.
The bigger news is the genre plans YouTube TV added in February 2026. They let you skip channels you never watch:
- Sports Plan, $64.99: broadcast networks plus ESPN, FS1, TNT, NFL Network and other national sports channels.
- Sports + News Plan, $71.99: the sports lineup plus CNN, Fox News, CNBC, MS NOW and more.
- Entertainment Plan, $54.99: broadcast networks and channels like FX, Bravo, HGTV and Food Network.
- News + Entertainment + Family, $69.99: no sports, but news, entertainment and kids channels.
Hulu + Live TV and Fubo: now one company
Disney combined Hulu + Live TV with Fubo in a deal that became official in late October 2025, but the two still sell separate plans. On September 23, 2026, Hulu + Live TV rose to $99.99 a month for new subscribers. That price includes Hulu with ads, Disney+ with ads and ESPN Select, so if you already pay for Disney streaming apps the math is better than it looks. The ad free Hulu version costs $109.99, and a Live TV Only plan without the streaming extras stays at $88.99. Existing subscribers see the increase on their next bill.
Fubo leans hard into sports. Its English language plans rose by $15 a month in July 2026 after NBC and Telemundo returned under a new carriage deal, which puts the cheapest Essential tier at about $89. Note that several cable networks spun off from NBCUniversal, including USA Network, Golf Channel, E! and SyFy, were still missing from Fubo at that point, so check the lineup if you watch them.
DirecTV Stream: best for regional sports
DirecTV Stream is pricier, but it is one of the few places to get many regional sports networks that carry local NBA, NHL and MLB teams. Packages start with Entertainment at $89.99 and Choice at $94.99, then Ultimate at $124.99 and Premier at $169.99 with premium movie channels. A MySports genre pack runs $69.99. Watch for a regional sports fee of up to $19.99 a month on Choice and higher tiers in some markets.
Sling and Philo: best cheap options
Sling keeps prices lower by splitting channels into two plans. Sling Orange ($45.99) is built around ESPN, Disney Channel and family networks with a single stream. Sling Blue ($45.99) adds more news and entertainment channels, local Fox and NBC in select markets and up to three streams. Combining both costs $60.99. Sling also offers Freestream, a free tier of ad supported channels.
Philo costs $25 a month for its Essential plan with 70+ live channels like AMC, Discovery, HGTV and Food Network. There are no local stations and no major sports or cable news, which is exactly why it is so cheap.
FAQ
What is the cheapest live TV streaming service?
Philo at $25 a month is the cheapest paid option with a cable style lineup. Sling Orange or Blue at $45.99 is the cheapest with ESPN or CNN.
Which service is best for NFL games?
YouTube TV is the usual pick because it carries all the networks that air NFL games and sells NFL Sunday Ticket as an add on. Its $64.99 Sports Plan covers the same networks for less.
Do these services require a contract?
No. All of them bill month to month, and you can cancel anytime. Many offer free trials or discounted first months for new customers.
Can I watch on multiple TVs?
Yes, but stream limits vary. Sling Orange allows one stream, while YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and Fubo allow several at once.
The verdict
For a full cable replacement, YouTube TV remains the easiest choice at $82.99, and its genre plans make it more flexible than ever. Choose Hulu + Live TV if you want Disney+ and ESPN bundled in, DirecTV Stream for regional sports, and Sling or Philo when price comes first.
Updated October 2026: refreshed with current prices for YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling and Philo, plus the new YouTube TV genre plans.
Featured photo: Nicolas J Leclercq on Unsplash.
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