There are a lot of consumers who wish to cut the cable/satellite cord and go the streaming route but don’t want to lose some of their favorite channels in the process.
The reality is that there are several online streaming services that are devoted to providing access to cable channels online rather than through a local cable provider, but that doesn’t mean that you will save a lot of money and you don’t get to select which individual channels you want to pay for.
The only significant win is that you get rid of that dreaded cable/satellite set-top box.
Similar to cable and satellite, online alternatives operate in a similar fashion – they provide packages that offer a specific number of channels for a price. Each service may provide several package offerings.
In this article, we take a look at six online cable/satellite alternative services (aka Live TV Streaming Services):
Tip: Plan Prices stated do not include periodic time-sensitive promotional pricing that may be offered by each service.
YouTube TV
Google-owned YouTube is a big player in the streaming landscape, with YouTube, YouTube Premium, YouTube Originals, YouTube Podcasts, YouTube Select, YouTube Kids, and YouTube Music.
However, one service they offer that might be a good cable/satellite TV alternative is YouTube TV.
Packages: YouTube TV offers a package of channels (over 100 total) for $72.99 a month. A selection of premium channels can also be added individually for an extra charge.
Additional YouTube TV packages
- Spanish Only Plan: $34.99 per month
- NFL Sunday Ticket: $349.99 per year (Every out-of-market Sunday afternoon game)
Channels: Major Networks such as ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, as well as cable news channels such as CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, other cable entertainment channels, and several sports channels.
Tip: Some Network Channels are from local affiliates
You can also add premium channels for an extra charge such as MAX, Showtime, Starz, and more…
Check out the entire list of included and add-on channels offered by YouTube TV.
Cloud DVR: This allows you to record as much selected content as you want for later viewing (up to 9 months for most recordings). The recorded content is stored online. The programs are placed in your YouTube TV Library.
Simultaneous Streams: YouTube TV allows streaming to three devices at the same time.
Devices: Compatible devices include Roku (including Roku TVs), Apple TV, Chromecast, Sony Playstation, and Xbox.Check out a complete list.
Tip: 4K is only available on select devices
DirecTV Stream
In addition to their satellite service, DirecTV also offers DirecTV Stream with a lot of the same channels and features.
Packages: The four main DirecTV Stream packages promoted are:
- Entertainment: 75+ channels ($79.99 mo)
- Choice: 105+ channels ($109.99 mo)
- Ultimate: 140+ channels ($119.99 mo)
- Premier: 150+ channels ( $164.99 mo).
Tip: Additional packages may be available on a continuing or promotional basis.
Complete list of all channels available by package.
Channels: All of the packages include the major networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and PBS). Depending on location, network access might be through local affiliates.
ESPN and ESPN 2 are available with all packages, but regional and additional sports networks are available with the Choice, Ultimate, and Premier packages.
Add-on Premium channels such as MAX, Showtime, STARZ, MGM+, Cinemax, and more are available but each requires a separate fee.
Tip: DirecTV Stream Premier comes with MAX, Cinemax, Showtime, and STARZ and expanded sports offerings at no extra charge (other than the higher subscription fee for the Priemer package.
Cloud DVR: DirecTV Stream provides a Cloud DVR that allows up to 500 hours of recording. Recordings are automatically deleted after 90 days.
Tip: 4K streaming does not require an extra fee but is subject to availability (select sports, concerts, and other select content).
Simultaneous Streams: Up to three simultaneous streams are allowed.
Devices: DirecTV Stream can be used with Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chromecast, Samsung Smart TVs, iOS, Android, and more… Check out the complete list.
Sling TV
In addition to its satellite TV service, Dish Network offers Sling TV via a separate subscription for those cutting the cord.
Packages: There are two plans both priced at $40 per month: Sling Blue and Sling Orange.
Both plans have some channels in common, but Sling Blue emphasizes entertainment, while Sling Orange emphasizes sports. You have the option to combine both Blue and Orange services for $55 per month.
Tip: Sling Blue includes 40 channels, while Sling Orange includes 32 channels.
One of the drawbacks of Sling TV packages is that they don’t include many local channels, mostly NBC or Fox affiliates only. If you desire better access to local channels, connect an antenna to your TV.
Cloud DVR: Sling provides 10 hours of Cloud DVR storage.
Simultaneous Streams: Sling Orange provides a single stream. Sling Blue allows users to stream to three devices at the same time.
Devices: Devices that provide access to Sling TV include Roku, Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, LG and Samsung smart TVs, Xbox One, Android, and iOS phones. See the complete list.
Philo TV
Philo TV is another option that can be a streaming alternative to cable/satellite
Packages: For $25 a month, you get access to 70+ popular “cable” channels on its only plan offering.
Channels: Unlike some other services access to network affiliates (ABC, CBS, NBC, etc…) is not included and there is no provision to access local channels. This means to access those channel options, you have to connect an antenna to your TV. On the other hand, Philo TV does offer a selection of premium channels that you can pay extra for. The complete channel list is on the Philo Homepage.
Cloud DVR: Philo TV comes with a Cloud DVR with unlimited storage, but recordings are deleted after 12 months.
Simultaneous Streams: Philo TV allows viewing on up to three devices at a time.
Devices: Philo TV is available for Roku, Fire TV and Fire Tablets, Android (5.0 and higher), iOS, Chromecast, PC/MAC via Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. Complete List.
Fubo TV
Fubo TV is a great cable/satellite alternative for sports fans. In addition to the selection of network and basic entertainment channels, Fubo TV offers a large number of sports channels.
Packages: Fubo TV offers three main packages.
- Fubo Pro: 172 channels ($74.99 mo)
- Fubo Elite: 240 channels, 4K included when available ($84.99 mo)
- Premier: 249 channels, 4K included when available, Showtime Included ($94.99 mo)
Cloud DVR: 1000 hours
Simultaneous Streams: Up to 10 devices at once
Additional Package Offering – Fubo Latino: ($24.99) – 60 channels, 250-hour cloud DVR, stream to 2 devices at once.
Complete details on entertainment channels, sports channels, and additional upgrades.
Channels (Sports): A sampling of sports channels includes NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, NASCAR, golf, boxing, MMA, tennis, college sports, and many others. Special coverage of special events such as the Super Bowl, World Series, Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Olympic Games, Triple Crown, and UFC events are also included.
Channels (Entertainment): Some of the entertainment channel offerings (subject to plan and location) include FOX, CBS, and NBC as well as AMC, CNBC, SHOWTIME, FX, HGTV, SYFY, USA, Bravo, A&E, Food Network, E!, Oxygen, Fuse, Lifetime and History Channel and more.
Tip: Select local channels that are available in some markets.
Devices: Devices compatible with Fubo TV include Amazon Fire TV, Android Mobile, Android TV, Apple TV, Mac and PC (Chrome, EDGE, Firefox, Safari), Chromecast, iPhone/iPad, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, Xbox One/S/X. Complete List
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV is different from the above offerings in that it combines the Hulu streaming service, with Live TV cable/satellite channels.
There are two packages available:
- Hulu + Live TV, Disney+, and Espn (all with Ads): $76.99 mo
- Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV (Ads), Disney+ (No Add), ESPN+ (Ads):$89.99 mo
Channels: The Live TV portion includes up to 60 cable/satellite channels accessible online. Select local channels are also offered (location dependent), as well as individually priced premium channels (such as HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, and Starz).
Check out a listing of all the channels that Hulu with Live TV offers:
Additional feature Add-ons (require extra fees) include:
- Premium Channels: MAX, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz
- Unlimited Screens: Includes 3 mobile screens
- Entertainment Add-Ons: Includes additional entertainment channels
- Spanish Networks: Includes Spanish versions of CNN, Discovery, ESPN, The Weather Channel, and more…
- Sports Add-ons: NFL RedZone, MAVTV Motorsports Network, Horse Racing, Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel.
Devices:
- Android phones/tablets/Android TV
- Amazon Fire TV, Fire Tablets, and Echo Show
- Apple TV (4th generation or later)
- Chromecast (includes TVs with Chromecast Built-in)
- iPhones/iPads
- Mac and PC browsers/apps
- PlayStation
- Roku (select models)
- VIZIO TVs (select models)
Our Take
If you are tired of the set-top box connection and setup hassle and payments for cable or satellite service, but still don’t want to let go of those channels, one of the above alternatives might work for you.
Although some packages are affordable when compared to cable/satellite, there are some plans that are higher-priced, and if you can add extra channels and features, your bill may end up being as much (or even higher) as a cable or satellite bill.
Just as with cable and satellite services, these alternatives include both the channels you’re looking for as well as channels that you may seldom or never watch. In other words, you end up paying for stuff you don’t need.
Tip: Channels may be periodically added or deleted depending on licensing and distribution agreements.
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ORT
November 1, 2023 at 2:27 pm
These services still farce you into paying for tripe you (if you have a IQ above room temperature) neither want nor desire. I tried three different services a couple of years ago and dropped them all because they raised their price when they included CMT, BET, and brofessional sports crap among other usless-to-me programming.
I despise being made to pay for something I am NOT intredasted in. So. I have a few thousand films of my own along with HBO/MAX and Disney+ and whatever may pop up on Amazon that interests me. I cancelled out of Disney+ when they fired Gina Carano but returned after roughly a year as we have young grandchildren. I refuse to get Hulu-Hoop or peESPN. FTN. Netflix is too much for what you get. Truth be told, all such services are. Too much flotsam for too much money.
They (these streaming companies) still tell you that if they didn’t include the crap you don’t want that those smaller companies offering them would fail. I do not give an airborne intercourse and so I do not give them my money.
Most in my family like sports. I hate sports. I gave my older brother and his wife that stupid MLB thing because both of them are baseball fans. I quit watching baseball when they had their first strike in 1972. FTN. If I woke up tomorrow and there were no sports at all I would know that I had died and actually made it to heaven. I would sooner take my own life than waste it watching football. FTN of the NFL. Screw the Olympics too. What about “local” channels? No thanks. “Special interest” programming? Not interested. “Romance” films? Oh, puhleeeeeze.
Some reading this might be wadding their manties into a tighty-whitey knot of angst at my words. Pffft! Keep on keeping on paying more and more for bullsheit streaming because you ain’t saving a damn thing. You can pay for whatever you want and in the case of TV, for what you don’t want too. Your choice does not harm me and mine SHOULD not affect you. Your choices affect you.
Just because you are now streaming doesn’t mean the product ain’t steaming. Think about that.
Don QuixORTe 😉
Ian White
November 1, 2023 at 2:45 pm
ORT,
“Just because you are now streaming doesn’t mean the product ain’t steaming.”
And I think that sums it up rather well. Especially Sky News and the BBC these days.
We recently cancelled Disney+ and for some reason that caused our Hulu to disappear as well. Now we have to pay for both to get one back. With ads. Ridiculous.
I think I would own 5 or 6 channels only if that were possible.
IW
Phillip Weissburg
November 4, 2023 at 1:18 pm
Marketing directors for CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, FOX have failed to offer their stations to 90% of the streaming services….LIMITING your audience is stupid at best.How do U sell advertising to advertisers by offering them poor audience size, do to this restriction…??