The 7 Best Live TV Streaming Services in 2025

Cutting the cord gives you the opportunity to ditch cable for good and enjoy live TV wherever you are. With the seemingly endless options and plethora of technical details, choosing the best live TV streaming service can be daunting, but we’re here to help.

In this guide, we’ll share everything you need to know to make the switch from traditional cable to a live TV streaming service, including how to watch local TV without cable. You’ll be able to choose the right service for you and find out how to make the most of your subscription with PIA VPN.

Live TV Streaming Services: How to Cut the Cord with Cable

Live TV streaming services, also known as cord-cutting services, are a great alternative to traditional cable. They let you watch cable TV without a cable contract or the hassle of installing additional hardware in your home.

These services are often more affordable and flexible than cable, allowing you to activate and cancel your subscription anytime. Many let you choose optional add-ons to customize your package. You can also access them from a variety of devices, making them perfect for viewers who want to watch content on the go.

Cord-cutting services are different from regular on-demand streaming services like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video. They focus more on live broadcasts than pre-recorded movies or shows, which means you’ll find more sports, news, and other time-sensitive content on these platforms. While most services also include on-demand content and have DVR capabilities so that you can record and watch shows or movies later, their main appeal lies in real-time programming.

With viewers worldwide still demanding live TV, it’s unsurprising that there are more and more of these services to choose from. So, what is the best live TV streaming service? Read on to find out.

The 7 Best Live TV Streaming Services

Whether you want to watch specific channels, follow your favorite sports team, or just stream the latest TV and movie hits, these platforms are the best way to watch TV without cable.

1. YouTube TV

With more than 100 channels and a free trial to take it for a test drive, YouTube TV tops our list of the best live TV streaming services. The platform offers unbeatable variety and flexibility.

The base plan features a wide range of news, sports, and entertainment channels. You can also customize your setup, adding even more sports and entertainment channels along with features like 4K streaming, unlimited simultaneous streams, and offline viewing.

Availability	US only
Free trial	10 days (may vary)
Number of live TV channels	100+
On-demand content	Yes
DVR	Unlimited, recordings expire after 9 months
Ads	Yes (live and on-demand content)
Sports channels	20+, with the option to add extras
Original shows & movies	Yes (production stopped in 2022)
Simultaneous streams	Up to 3 devices
PIA VPN compatibility	Yes
Pros	Extensive channel lineup, including local channels and sports networksUp to 6 profiles and 3 simultaneous streams per accountUser-friendly interface
Cons	Higher price point compared to some competitorsLimited regional sports available in some locationsNo option to customize the channel lineup

2. Sling TV

Sling TV is a great choice for budget-conscious cord-cutters. Its Orange and Blue plans feature 41 and 49 channels respectively, including some local channels, for a reasonable monthly subscription fee. The local channels available varies depending on where you’re watching from.

Sling Orange is geared towards sports fans and families, while Sling Blue caters to news and entertainment seekers. Either package can be tailored with add-ons like Kids Extra, Entertainment Extra, and Sports Extra, so you can create a channel line-up to suit your viewing preferences. You can also access some channels completely free of charge with Sling Freestream.

Availability	US only
Free trial	No
Number of live TV channels	30+
On-demand content	Yes, 41,000+ titles
DVR	50+ hours, unlimited storage time
Ads	Yes (live and on-demand content)
Sports channels	5+, with the option to add extras
Original shows & movies	No
Simultaneous streams	Up to 3 devices
PIA VPN compatibility	Yes
Pros	Free tier and affordable base plansFlexible add-on optionsBase plans include many popular TV channels
Cons	Add-ons can drastically increase the package priceLive broadcasts occasionally lag behind other streaming servicesNon-skippable commercials in on-demand content

3. Hulu + Live TV

Anyone who wants to watch live TV and get access to award-winning, exclusive on-demand streaming content will love Hulu + Live TV. The platform gives you access to 95+ live channels as well as on-demand shows and movies from Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+.

Hulu + Live TV’s monthly cost used to be a big drawback, but with other platforms’ fees inching closer to its price point, this is no longer the case. Its extensive content library, which features loads of entertainment and kids’ titles, makes it a great choice for viewers who value variety.

Availability	US only
Free trial	3 days (may vary)
Number of live TV channels	95+
On-demand content	Yes, 9,000+ titles
DVR	Unlimited, recordings expire after 9 months
Ads	Yes, always on live TV and ESPN+ content
Sports channels	20+
Original shows & movies	Yes
Simultaneous streams	Up to 2 devices
PIA VPN compatibility	Yes
Pros	Combines Hulu’s on-demand library with live TVIncludes Disney+ and ESPN+Free trial available
Cons	One standard package with no customization optionsOnly two simultaneous streamsLimited regional sports networks available

4. DirecTV Stream

DirecTV Stream is one of the best streaming services for live TV and sports. The Entertainment package, which is the most basic of its offerings, features around 20 sports channels (including regional networks). This increases to more than 40 channels if you opt for the top-tier Ultimate plan.

Sport isn’t the only area where DirecTV Stream excels, either. The packages are highly flexible, giving you the option to expand the number of sports, entertainment, news, and other channels that you see in your TV guide.

Availability	US only
Free trial	5 days
Number of live TV channels	90+
On-demand content	Yes, 90,000+ titles
DVR	Unlimited, recordings expire after 9 months
Ads	Yes, in live and on-demand content
Sports channels	22+, including regional networks
Original shows & movies	No
Simultaneous streams	Unlimited devices on your home network and up to 3 devices elsewhere
PIA VPN compatibility	Yes
Pros	Good selection of regional sports networksUnlimited simultaneous streams on your home networkIncludes local channels
Cons	One of the most expensive live TV streaming servicesClunky interfaceLoad times are occasionally long

5. Fubo

Another great option for those who want to watch cable TV without cable is Fubo. It’s one of the best live TV streaming services with local channels and has an especially impressive lineup of sports channels in its base package, including Regional Sports Networks, ESPN, and the NFL Network.

Beyond sports, Fubo offers a diverse mix of news, entertainment, and lifestyle channels that are unlikely to leave you or anyone on your plan feeling like there’s nothing to watch. Overall, it’s a fantastic choice for sports aficionados and general entertainment enthusiasts alike.

Availability	US, Spain, Canada
Free trial	7 days
Number of live TV channels	210+
On-demand content	Yes, 40,000+ titles
DVR	Unlimited, recordings expire after 9 months
Ads	Yes (live and on-demand content)
Sports channels	Up to 50
Original shows & movies	No
Simultaneous streams	Up to 10 devices at home; 3 outside of home
PIA VPN compatibility	Yes
Pros	Excellent live sports offeringFree trial availableSelect live broadcasts available to stream in 4K
Cons	Extra fee for regional sportsLacks some popular entertainment channelsNo 4K streaming on the base plan

6. Philo

Philo is the best way to cut the cable cord on a budget. The platform offers loads of lifestyle and entertainment content. Anyone who enjoys a dash of reality with their TV will delight in having access to channels like TLC, HGTV, Discovery, and Comedy Central.  

It’s not the best choice for sports fans or news junkies, as there are no sports or regional news channels and you only get access to three world news channels. 

Availability	US only
Free trial	7 days
Number of live TV channels	70+
On-demand content	Yes, 75,000+ titles
DVR	Unlimited, recordings expire after 1 year
Ads in live content	Yes (live and unsaved on-demand content)
Sports channels	None
Original shows & movies	Yes
Simultaneous streams	Up to 3
PIA VPN compatibility	Yes
Pros	Budget-friendly live TV streaming serviceGreat lifestyle and entertainment channel selectionUser-friendly interface
Cons	No sports or local channelsLacks parental control featuresLimited news channels

7. Tubi

Rounding out our list of the best live TV streaming services is the free streaming platform Tubi. Creating a Tubi account gives you access to more than 250 live TV channels, including sports, entertainment, and news channels, at no cost. Although this makes it the cheapest way to watch TV without cable, many of the channels on Tubi are a little more obscure than those offered with paid services.

Tubi’s library includes everything from classic films to popular series and niche content. The platform partners with networks like FOX Sports and the NFL channel to offer live and on-demand sports programming, as well as a range of news channels to keep you up to date with current affairs. 

Availability	US, UK, Canada, Australia, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Panama
Free trial	N/A
Number of live TV channels	250+
On-demand content	Yes, 50,000+ titles
DVR	No
Ads	Yes (live and on-demand content)
Sports channels	24
Original shows & movies	No
Simultaneous streams	Unlimited
PIA VPN compatibility	Yes
Pros	FreeNo device limit as no account is required to streamGood mix of sports, news, and entertainment content
Cons	Frequent interruptions from adsNo DVRNo premium or upgrade options to add channels or remove ads

How to Choose the Best Live TV Streaming Service for You

You can read all of the ranking articles you like, but the best live TV streaming service for you will depend on your viewing preferences, habits, and budget. Here are some things to think about when choosing a platform:

• Channels: Make sure the service offers channels that broadcast the content you enjoy the most (e.g. sports, news, or entertainment).
• On-demand content: Consider how important it is for you to have access to on-demand content like movies and past episodes or seasons of shows.
• Price: Compare the monthly subscription cost as well as whether the platform offers a free trial and how much it charges for premium features or add-ons.
• Availability: If you travel often, check if the service works internationally or get PIA VPN. Connect to one of PIA’s streaming-optimized servers for reliable access to your streaming subscriptions when you’re abroad.
• Simultaneous streams: Check how many devices can stream at the same time – this is especially important if you’re going to share your account with others.
• Ad-supported vs ad-free: Ads are unfortunately unavoidable for live TV, but decide whether you’re fine with having them in your on-demand content.
• DVR options: Assess the platform’s DVR storage capacity as well as how long your content will be stored.
• User interface: Review how intuitive the platform’s navigation is and how easy it is to find and switch between channels, or access your DVR.

Although it’s not necessarily a make-or-break, it’s also a good idea to look out for free trials. Being able to explore what the service you’re interested in offers, even if only for a short time, will help you figure out whether it meets your needs before you commit.

How to Fix Common Streaming Issues with a VPN

Streaming roadblocks like buffering, country-specific content, and restrictive networks can ruin your viewing experience. Fortunately, a VPN is a powerful tool for solving these common streaming problems.

Slow Streaming Speeds

Buffering and long load times are two of the most frustrating streaming issues. They may both be caused by the same thing: content-based throttling. This happens when your ISP notes that you’re streaming and slows your connection in an attempt to reduce your bandwidth usage. 

Fortunately, a VPN can help you avoid these slowdowns. Encryption makes it extremely difficult for ISPs to monitor your activity, which can help you bypass this type of throttling.

Accessing Content While Traveling

Most live TV streaming services restrict their broadcasts to US audiences. This can be extremely inconvenient if you often travel abroad but still want to access the same content you get at home. Even if you’re traveling within the US, you may lose access to local TV channels and Regional Sports Networks.

A VPN masks your IP address with one from a location you choose. PIA VPN has servers in every US state, so you can access your favorite shows, live sports, or local news as usual.

Network Restrictions

Networks at schools and offices – and sometimes even public Wi-Fi networks at coffee shops or on public transport – often block streaming services. VPN encryption can help you to bypass these blocks.

By creating a secure tunnel through which your internet traffic can pass, a VPN prevents any third parties (like network administrators) from seeing what you’re doing online. This helps you unblock streaming sites and watch live TV without any hassle.

Privacy and Security

Streaming on public Wi-Fi and other unknown networks (like those at hotels or in vacation rental units) can expose you to security risks. You never know when third parties, like hackers, censors, or others, might be spying on your internet activity. 

A VPN encrypts your traffic, helping to ensure that your data remains private and secure while you enjoy your favorite content. 

Why Choose PIA as Your #1 VPN for Streaming

Choosing the right VPN service is essential if you want to get the most out of your chosen live TV streaming platform.

PIA VPN has a global network of servers, including servers in every US state, so there’s always one nearby that you can connect to. Our servers are optimized to give you fast VPN connection speeds so you can stream in the highest resolution without losing picture quality.

The 10-Gbps server network includes streaming-optimized servers in the US and other countries. This helps to ensure that you can connect to your preferred live TV streaming platform without running into error messages when you’re traveling abroad.

You’ll also get unlimited bandwidth with PIA VPN. You can stream as much as you like without worrying that you’ll have to deal with slowdowns because of your data usage.

With user-friendly apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Android TV, PIA VPN makes it easy to watch on the most popular streaming devices. You can even configure the VPN on your router to cover every streaming device in your home. 

To top it all off, PIA’s customer support experts are on hand to answer your VPN-related questions 24/7. Buy PIA VPN and try it risk-free with our 30-day money-back guarantee.

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