Rethink Live TV: What You Need to Know before You Start Streaming

Learn how cutting the cord could lead you to discover the best options for streaming live television on your phone, tablet, computer, or television.

Streaming live TV allows you to watch hundreds of the same channels as cable television—but without the cord. Depending on your provider, you can stream directly from your TV or take your shows with you anywhere on a phone, laptop, or tablet. As tempting as that may sound, it’s understandable if you’re still feeling unsure about making the switch. Luckily for those on the fence, most live TV streaming services provide you with a free trial and have no contracts or cancellation fees.

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DIRECTV Now

Hulu with Live TV

PlayStation Vue

Sling TV

YouTube TV

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What is DIRECTV NOW? With a DIRECTV NOW package, you can stream anywhere from two devices at once, which means you can tune in on the go while your friend or family member streams from home. DIRECTV NOW is a powerful contender in the streaming market because its four affordable packages each come with a wide variety of channels. DIRECTV NOW doesn’t have an option to simply purchase more simultaneous streams, so you’ll need to subscribe to multiple packages if you need that. But with prices starting at $35 per month, it’s an option that’s still more affordable than most cable companies.

DIRECTV NOW is for these kinds of streamers:

• Viewers on the go
• AT&T phone owners
• Premium-channel lovers

If you’re constantly on the move and want access to plenty of channels including thousands of on-demand options, consider DIRECTV NOW for your streaming service. And if you already have an AT&T Unlimited wireless plan, adding on DIRECTV NOW will score you a $25 bill credit every month! DIRECTV NOW also offers a great deal on premium channels like HBO®, STARZ, and CINEMAX. But if you’re worried about not being able to control what your children can access, or if you really need your DVR options right now, DIRECTV NOW may not be the right choice for you until those features are released later this year.

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What is Hulu with Live TV? This year, Hulu stepped up its streaming game with live and on-demand TV channels. The on-demand channels come with a catch, though: certain major channels like ABC, CBS, and NBC are only available on demand and not live at all. Still, Hulu with Live TV has a lot to offer, including fifty hours of cloud DVR storage, two simultaneous streams, and access to Hulu’s entire streaming library. We recommend forking out the extra $4 for its advanced package, which allows you to enjoy Hulu’s streaming library sans commercials.

Hulu with Live TV is for these kinds of streamers:

• Phone or tablet users
• Hulu loyalists
• Large households

Hulu with Live TV is still in beta, which means there are still a few hiccups to work through, including the devices that support Hulu with Live TV. You’ll be able to watch Hulu with Live TV on your phone or tablet and even on TV if you have an Xbox One, Apple TV, or Chromecast. Hulu is still working on reaching other devices, including your home computer. But if you don’t mind those workarounds, and especially if you already love your Hulu subscription, this can be a great way to watch live TV. Hulu is also the only streaming live TV provider that currently offers unlimited at-home streams, which you can upgrade to for $14.99 a month.

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What is PlayStation Vue? This streaming service offers many favorite channels, and you don’t even need a PlayStation console to enjoy it. Still, there are rules about how many devices you can use. You can stream from one PS4 or PS3 console, three mobile devices, and a variety of supported devices including desktop browsers, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, and Android TV—all within the limit of five total simultaneous streams. Yeah, our heads are spinning from those weird restrictions, too. But aside from Hulu’s upgrade to unlimited in-home streaming, PlayStation Vue has the most simultaneous streams on the market. Its unlimited cloud DVR isn’t too shabby either, but just know it will keep your recordings for only twenty-eight days.

PlayStation Vue is for these kinds of streamers:

• Homebodies
• Large households
• College sports fans

Unlike most live TV streaming services, PlayStation Vue wasn’t primarily designed for browser use. Because of this, there are limits on which channels you can access outside of your home base, and you could be penalized for trying to log on through someone else’s PlayStation. But all those simultaneous streams make it worth considering if you have a large household. And if you’re a fan of college sports, you’ll be excited to know PlayStation Vue offers FOX College Sports channels.

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What is Sling TV? Sling TV is the end-all-be-all when it comes to a customizable television experience. Select your favorite starting package, and then add on as many extra channel packages as you want. Whether you’re into comedy, news, lifestyle, or movies, it’s got you covered. On top of that, Sling has the largest selection of sports channels we’ve found so far. And if you’re looking for an international experience, there are also fifteen non-English packages in languages from Chinese to Telugu. Pair its unparalleled selection of channels with a fifty-hour cloud DVR upgrade and a huge selection of compatible streaming devices, and you’ve got one of the strongest live TV streaming contenders.

Sling TV is for these kinds of streamers:

• Selective viewers
• Penny pinchers
• College sports fanatics

Do you ever scroll through your cable channels and wonder why you’re paying so much for all those channels you don’t watch? You’re not the only one. Sling was designed specifically for people who want to pay for their favorite channels, period. If you’re looking for the most affordable streaming live TV service, you won’t find a more affordable option than Sling Orange (unless you’re an AT&T Unlimited user, then snag a $10 per month deal from DIRECTV NOW). Oh, and sports lovers, there’s no better live TV streaming option than Sling Blue with Sports Extra.

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What is YouTube TV? Still new to the market, YouTube TV sets itself apart by offering three simultaneous streams and six individual accounts with each package. Despite this cool feature, YouTube TV’s inexperience is obvious. It has only one package and two premium channels, and it is available only in certain cities. But if you’re still interested, and you live in one of the approved zip codes, you can give its free month-long trial a shot. At the very least, you won’t be disappointed by its unlimited cloud DVR, which holds recordings for nine months. What YouTube TV has to offer is pretty basic now, but with time may come more channels, packages, and availability, so keep an eye on this one.

YouTube TV is for these kinds of streamers:

• Cable minimalists
• YouTube Red Originals junkies
• DVR enthusiasts

If you’re not looking for a lot from streaming live TV, YouTube TV is an okay choice (though you’ll save more with Sling TV). You may also be intrigued if you’re into YouTube Red Originals—but don’t expect this to entirely replace your YouTube Red account because you won’t get the premium music experience and uninterrupted YouTube with YouTube TV. The biggest selling point here is the unlimited cloud DVR, but this is dampened by the prospect that you won’t have many premium channels to record from.

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Next Steps

If you’re ready to cut the cord and stream live TV online, make your experience the best it can be by improving your internet speed. Test your current internet speed and find out how much speed you need to stream video by clicking the buttons below.

*All package and pricing information is current as of 9/1/17 and subject to change.