Top Live TV Streaming Services for 2025

Are you ready to cut the cord and dive into the world of streaming? Live TV streaming services offer a fantastic alternative to traditional cable, allowing you to enjoy your favorite TV shows, movies, and live sports without the burden of long-term contracts. The best part? You can stream from the comfort of your home or on the go using your mobile phone or tablet. Plus, these services are often more budget-friendly, with no hidden fees or hardware costs to worry about.

With a plethora of options available, choosing the right live TV streaming service can be overwhelming. But don't worry—we've done the research and compiled a list of the best live TV streaming services to try in 2025.

DirecTV Stream

Best Cable Alternative

DirecTV Stream stands out as an excellent cable alternative, offering unparalleled flexibility to customize your TV viewing experience. The service provides three Signature Packages, each tailored to different preferences. The **Entertainment** pack includes over 90 channels focused on entertainment and family-friendly programming. The **Choice** pack adds 35 more channels, including specialty and regional sports options. For those who want it all, the **Ultimate** pack offers more than 160 channels, covering movies, sports, and news.

For viewers with specific interests, DirecTV Stream introduces new **Genre Packs**, each dedicated to a particular type of content such as live sports, entertainment, or news. These packs are more affordable and ideal for those who know exactly what they want to watch.

With your subscription, you'll enjoy unlimited DVR storage, the ability to record multiple shows simultaneously, and the freedom to stream on an unlimited number of devices at home. Plus, you can catch up on your favorite shows up to 72 hours after they've aired, even if you forgot to record them!

Hulu + Live TV

Best Streaming Bundle With TV

Hulu + Live TV combines the popular Hulu streaming service with a live TV package featuring over 95 channels. It's a perfect choice for fans of Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar, and more, as it includes the Disney Bundle in its monthly cost, which typically costs $16.99 per month. This means you get Hulu (with ads), Disney+ (with ads), and ESPN+ (with ads) alongside more than 95 live TV channels.

With Hulu + Live TV, you'll benefit from unlimited DVR space to record your favorite movies and shows. The service allows streaming on two devices simultaneously, with an option to upgrade to unlimited screens for the whole family. Plus, there's a three-day free trial available, so you can test the service before committing to a monthly subscription.

Fubo

Best For Sports Variety

Fubo is a live TV subscription service with a strong emphasis on sports, offering over 200 channels and unlimited Cloud DVR storage. Known for its comprehensive catalog, Fubo does come with a higher price tag. Most plans allow streaming on up to 10 devices at home and three devices on the go.

For sports enthusiasts, Fubo is the ultimate choice, providing access to over 55,000 live events annually, including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, NCAA college sports, NASCAR, international soccer, golf, tennis, boxing, MMA, and more. With over 35 regional sports networks included in the base plan, you'll never miss a game. New subscribers can enjoy a seven-day free trial to test the service.

Sling Freestream

Best For Free TV

If you're looking for free TV without specific preferences, Sling Freestream is a great option. It offers over 600 channels and more than 40,000 on-demand movies and TV shows—completely free. While you won't find the latest releases, the vast selection ensures you'll discover something interesting to watch.

Creating a free Sling TV account provides 10 hours of complimentary DVR recordings, allowing you to pause, fast-forward, and rewind content. Plus, you can earn rewards and even win prizes just by watching through Sling Freestream. The service also offers the option to upgrade with various add-ons from Sling TV plans within your profile.

Among other free streaming services, Sling Freestream stands out as our top pick.

Live TV Streaming FAQs

Can You Watch Live TV For Free?

While certain TV shows and channels can be viewed for free, major networks are typically not included. One of the easiest ways to access live TV is by using a TV antenna to pick up local channels and a few extras. Alternatively, you can explore free streaming sites or apps like Sling Freestream, the Roku Channel, Tubi, and more.

Which Live TV Streaming Services Have Free Trials?

Each of the live TV streaming services mentioned above offers a free trial, with varying durations. Hulu + Live TV provides a three-day trial, DirecTV Stream offers five days, and Fubo is the most generous with a seven-day trial.

Should You Get Cable Instead?

After years of cutting the cord and moving to streaming, some are reconsidering cable due to the proliferation of streaming services, content removal, and price hikes. Basic cable can often be found for $50–$100 per month, though these are usually promotional offers. Signing a contract can lock you in for a year or two, after which prices may increase significantly.

One of the main advantages of streaming services is their month-to-month billing flexibility. You can cancel anytime without hassle and easily resubscribe if a new service catches your interest.

Ultimately, the choice between streaming and cable depends on your preferences and budget. If you're frustrated with the growing number of streaming services and rising costs, cable might be worth reconsidering.