Best Cable Streaming Services in 2026: 7 Live TV Options Compared

Key takeaways

• YouTube TV lists its main plan at $82.99 per month for 100+ channels with unlimited DVR, and it says there are no box rental, DVR, broadcast or cancellation fees.
• Hulu + Live TV was priced at $89.99 per month in February 2026 and includes the full Hulu and Disney+ libraries along with 100+ live channels.
• Philo at $25 per month and Frndly TV from $8.99 are the cheapest options here, but both focus on entertainment channels rather than a full sports and news lineup.
• DIRECTV's Entertainment package shows a $59.99 promotional price that renews at $89.99, so read the second-year price, not just the first month.
• Fubo raised its full TV plans by $15 to $88.99 and above in 2026, while its separate Fubo Sports plan is $64.99.

Quick comparison

The best cable streaming services

Cable streaming services give you live channels over the internet, with no set-top box contract. They differ a lot in price and lineup, so the right one depends on whether you need local news, sports or just a handful of favorite networks. We ordered this list by how closely each service matches a full cable package, and we used each company's own pages, help articles and investor releases in October 2026. Streaming prices rise often, and promotional rates are common, so we quote regular prices where we found them and say when a figure is a promotion.

1. YouTube TV

• Best for: The closest match to a full cable lineup
• Starting price: $82.99 per month
• Free plan: Free trial (5 days)
• Website: tv.youtube.com

YouTube TV is our pick for most people who want a cable replacement. Its page lists the main plan at $82.99 per month with 100+ channels, and says you get unlimited DVR space, 6 household accounts and 3 simultaneous streams. Local channels depend on your ZIP code, and you enter yours on the page to see your lineup.

The company says there are no annual contracts, and no hidden costs such as box rental, DVR, broadcast or cancellation fees. Cheaper genre plans exist: the page lists a Sports + News plan at $71.99 with 50+ channels, and its FAQ lists a Sports plan at $64.99. New customers were offered the main plan at $59.99 for the first two months (offer ending November 16, 2026), and a 5-day free trial is listed.

Add-ons include 4K Plus at $9.99 per month (unlimited streams at home, offline recordings and 4K on select content) and an Entertainment Plus bundle at $29.99. The honest drawback is the price, which is the second highest here after Hulu + Live TV.

Pros

• 100+ channels including local channels
• unlimited DVR with 6 household accounts
• no box rental, DVR or cancellation fees

Cons

• Highest base price among the full-lineup services
• the NFL Sunday Ticket and 4K Plus cost extra

2. Hulu + Live TV

• Best for: Live TV bundled with Hulu and Disney+
• Starting price: $89.99 per month
• Free plan: See website
• Website: hulu.com

Hulu + Live TV combines a cable-style lineup with two on-demand services. A February 2026 Fubo investor release says the core plan is $89.99 per month and includes full access to the entire Hulu and Disney+ libraries and live sports on ESPN. The same release says Hulu's lineup carries ESPN, TNT, TBS, FS1 and FS2, plus the Fox, CBS, NBC and ABC networks, for more than 100 channels with unlimited DVR.

Hulu + Live TV and Fubo combined their businesses in October 2025, according to Fubo's investor materials. Hulu's own address redirected to Disney's site when we tried to open its live TV page, so we could not confirm today's price, trial terms or any ad-free upgrade cost. Treat the $89.99 figure as the February 2026 price and check before you sign up.

If your household already pays for Hulu and Disney+ separately, the bundle can make sense. If you only want live channels, it is more expensive than most of the other choices.

Pros

• Includes the Hulu and Disney+ streaming libraries
• 100+ channels with local networks and ESPN
• unlimited DVR

Cons

• Highest price on this list
• we could not load its current plan page

3. Fubo

• Best for: Sports-heavy households
• Starting price: $64.99 per month (Fubo Sports)
• Free plan: Free trial
• Website: fubo.tv

Fubo began as a sports-first service, and it still leans that way. Its investor release describes Fubo Sports as a standalone plan with 20+ sports and broadcast networks, including direct access to ESPN Unlimited, at $64.99 per month after the first month, following a free trial.

For the full TV plans, Fubo's help center says prices rose by $15 per month as NBCUniversal channels launched. The new base prices are $88.99 for Essential, Pro and Core, $98.99 for Elite and Ultra, $113.99 for Ultimate and $118.99 for Deluxe. Some subscribers will also pay a $15.99 Regional Sports Fee where NBC regional channels are available.

Fubo works well if sports are the main reason you want live TV. If you want a broad cable replacement with news and entertainment, YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV give you more for similar money. Always compare the sports plan against what you would watch.

Pros

• Fubo Sports includes ESPN Unlimited
• broad sports coverage
• regional sports networks available in select markets

Cons

• Full TV plans start at $88.99
• a $15.99 regional sports fee applies in some areas

4. Sling TV

• Best for: A lower-priced channel bundle
• Starting price: $45.99 per month
• Free plan: No
• Website: sling.com

Sling is a cheaper way into live TV, built from smaller bundles. Search listings of Sling's own pages show Sling Orange at $45.99 per month with 30+ channels including ESPN, TNT and TBS, Sling Blue at $45.99 with 40+ channels, and the combined Orange and Blue plan at $60.99 with 50+ channels. Philo's comparison table, which lists Sling at $61 as of October 2025, supports the combined price.

Sling's site blocked our automated checks, so we cannot confirm every detail. The listings also show 50 hours of cloud DVR (with unlimited DVR available for $5 per month more) and one-day passes in place of a free trial.

It is a good fit if you want a few specific channels and are happy to give up some of the premium lineup. Local channels are not available everywhere on Sling, so check your ZIP code before you pay.

Pros

• Lower prices than the big live TV services
• Orange and Blue can be combined
• 1-day passes for short use

Cons

• We could not open Sling's pages directly
• fewer channels and less DVR than larger plans

5. DIRECTV

• Best for: Cable-style packages over the internet
• Starting price: $59.99 per month (promotional)
• Free plan: Free trial (5 days)
• Website: directv.com

DIRECTV sells its streaming packages in the cable style, with a few tiers and add-ons. Its streaming page shows the Entertainment package starting at $59.99 per month with a promotion, then renewing at $89.99 per month. The promotion includes ESPN Unlimited and one month of the DIRECTV Sports Pack.

A MySports genre pack is listed at $49.99 for the first month, then $64.99, and also includes ESPN Unlimited. The Sports Pack add-on is $14.99 per month after its promotional month and adds 35+ regional and specialty sports networks. Premium channels such as HBO Max ($18.49), Paramount+ with SHOWTIME ($13.99) and STARZ ($11.99) are optional, with the first three months free on an eligible package.

New customers get a 5-day trial, and a card is required. The page does not list a total channel count or DVR terms, and local channels vary by market. The sensible way to compare is by the renewal price, not the first month.

Pros

• Package choices from Entertainment to a sports-focused MySports pack
• local channels in many markets
• 5-day free trial

Cons

• The promotional price renews at $89.99
• premium channels and sports packs cost extra

6. Philo

• Best for: Entertainment channels at a low price
• Starting price: $25 per month
• Free plan: Free trial (7 days)
• Website: philo.com

Philo trims the lineup to keep the price down. Its page lists the Essential plan at $25 per month with 70+ live channels, 75,000+ on-demand titles and unlimited cloud DVR that keeps recordings for a year. It allows up to 3 streams at once and 10 profiles, and new users get a 7-day free trial.

A Bundle+ plan at $33 per month adds the AMC+ library, HBO Max Basic with Ads and discovery+. Add-ons include HBO Max Standard (ad-free) at $13 more per month. Philo also offers a free channel lineup with no credit card required.

The catch is what is missing. Philo's page highlights entertainment, and we saw no mention of local broadcast stations or ESPN, so read the channel list before you cancel cable. It is a strong choice for a household that watches reality, lifestyle and movie channels and not live sports.

Pros

• Low monthly price with 70+ channels
• unlimited DVR with recordings saved for a year
• up to 3 streams and 10 profiles

Cons

• Its page shows no local channels or ESPN
• lineup focuses on entertainment

7. Frndly TV

• Best for: Family-friendly channels on a small budget
• Starting price: $8.99 per month
• Free plan: Free trial (7 days)
• Website: frndlytv.com

Frndly TV is the cheapest here, and it is built around feel-good programming. Its help center (updated September 2026) lists three plans with the same 50+ live channels and an on-demand library: Basic at $8.99 per month, Classic at $10.99 and Premium at $12.99, with discounted annual rates of $83.88, $95.88 and $119.88 per year.

The plans differ in features. Classic adds unlimited DVR (recordings kept for three months), HD and two simultaneous streams. Premium keeps recordings for nine months and allows four devices at once. Add-on libraries include Hallmark+, Lifetime Movie Club and HISTORY Vault. A 7-day free trial is offered.

Frndly is a fine second service for a household that has already moved to another provider, or for someone who just wants a Hallmark-style lineup. It is not a full cable replacement, and the Basic plan has no DVR.

Pros

• Lowest price on this list
• 50+ live channels plus on-demand
• add-on libraries such as Hallmark+

Cons

• Basic plan has no DVR
• lineup centers on family and movie channels

How we picked these

We picked services that deliver live channels over the internet in the US, with no cable box needed, and that publish prices and plan details. For each we read the company's own pricing or help pages, plus investor releases for Fubo and Hulu + Live TV where those were the clearest source, and we noted promotional prices separately from regular ones. When a page would not load, we left details unconfirmed and said so.

We did not test streaming quality, channel guides or customer service ourselves. Prices are US prices in October 2026 and exclude taxes and local fees. ProMapRanker is not listed, and no placement here is paid.

How to choose a cable streaming service

Start by listing the channels you would miss, then compare monthly prices at the regular rate, not the promotional one.

Check your local channels

Local network stations (ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC) vary by ZIP code and service. YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo and DIRECTV list locals in many markets, while Philo and Frndly TV focus on entertainment. Use the ZIP code lookup on each site before you sign up.

Compare DVR and streams

YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV include unlimited DVR. Sling lists 50 hours, with unlimited DVR as a paid extra. Philo keeps recordings for a year and Frndly's rules depend on the plan. Also count how many screens you use at once. YouTube TV lists 3 streams by default, and Philo also allows 3.

Watch for promotional pricing

DIRECTV's $59.99 package renews at $89.99, and YouTube TV's $59.99 offer runs for two months before the $82.99 price applies. Note the renewal price in your calendar and cancel before it starts if you do not want it.

Keep a free trial in mind

YouTube TV and DIRECTV offer 5 days, Philo and Frndly TV offer 7 days, and Fubo describes a free trial. Test the live TV guide, your local channels and your internet connection during the trial. If a service does not suit you, you can cancel with no contract.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best cable streaming service?

For a full cable replacement, YouTube TV is the closest match, with 100+ channels, local channels and unlimited DVR at $82.99 per month. Hulu + Live TV is a good alternative if you also want Hulu and Disney+. Cheaper options such as Sling TV, Philo and Frndly TV give you fewer channels.

What is the cheapest cable streaming service?

Frndly TV starts at $8.99 per month and Philo at $25. Sling's Orange and Blue plans are listed at $45.99 each. The cheaper ones have narrower lineups, so check for the channels you need before you subscribe.

Which streaming service has local channels?

YouTube TV lists local channels with its plans, and Hulu + Live TV lists ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC. DIRECTV says local channels vary by market, and Fubo carries broadcast networks too. Enter your ZIP code on each provider's site to see what you can get.

What is the best streaming service for live sports without cable?

Fubo Sports ($64.99) and YouTube TV's Sports plans ($64.99 to $71.99) are the sports-focused options. DIRECTV's MySports pack is another route.

Can I cancel a cable streaming service anytime?

Most of these services say there are no long contracts, and YouTube TV says you can cancel, pause or switch plans anytime. Check the cancellation terms for your service, especially if you take a promotional offer or an annual rate.

Sources

1. https://tv.youtube.com/welcome/
2. https://ir.fubo.tv/news/news-details/2026/Hulu--Live-TV-Adds-Fubo-Sports-Network-to-Channel-Line-up/default.aspx
3. https://ir.fubo.tv/news/news-details/2026/Fubo-Launches-My-Local-Sports-Enabling-Fans-in-Select-Markets-to-Build-a-Custom-Local-Sports-Plan/default.aspx
4. https://support.fubo.tv/hc/en-us/articles/46604802430605-I-m-a-Fubo-Subscriber-Is-My-Price-Changing
5. https://www.sling.com/service/compare-plans
6. https://www.philo.com/
7. https://www.directv.com/stream/
8. https://help.frndlytv.com/support/solutions/articles/48000601646-plans-offered