The best live TV streaming services, according to Consumer Reports

Even a cable replacement service can leave local news and network shows out of reach in some markets. Picking the wrong one means paying monthly for channels that don't actually cover what a household watches.

Consumer Reports compared six live TV streaming services on price, channel lineups and standout features, so shoppers can find one that fits how they watch.

Credit: DIRECTV

DirecTV, formerly known as DirecTV Stream, costs $90 to $125 a month and delivers DirecTV's channel lineup without a satellite dish. The entry-level Entertainment plan includes about 90 channels for $90, while the top Premier plan adds roughly 185 channels along with an ad-supported HBO Max tier, Cinemax and a Paramount $PARA+ bundle that includes Showtime for $160. Consumer Reports noted several cheaper genre-based bundles, such as one focused on sports and another on general entertainment, run $20 to $60 a month, and a free ad-supported option called MyFree DirecTV rounds out the lineup. CR pointed out that some channels, including BBC News, NHL Network and the Smithsonian Channel, stay locked behind the pricier plans, and certain local stations and regional sports coverage remain out of reach depending on where a subscriber lives.

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Fubo costs $85 to $110 a month and built its reputation on sports coverage, carrying ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC in many markets along with ESPN through a deal with Disney $DIS. The Pro plan runs $85 monthly for more than 200 channels including regional MLB, NBA and NFL games, while the Elite with Sports Plus plan reaches about 300 channels with 4K video when available. Consumer Reports flagged Fubo as the only service in this lineup that tacks on a separate charge for regional sports coverage, which can run as high as $17 monthly and varies by where a subscriber lives, on top of premium add-ons like a $20 bundle covering MGM+, Showtime and Starz. CR also noted an ongoing carriage dispute has pulled NBCUniversal content from the service, and Fubo's on-demand library remains limited compared with rivals.

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Hulu + Live TV costs $90 to $100 a month depending on which ad tier a subscriber picks, and includes about 95 channels covering the major broadcast networks plus cable staples like CNN, FX and HGTV. Consumer Reports noted the service bundles in Hulu's on-demand library, giving subscribers access to originals alongside CBS Sports, ESPN and Fox Sports coverage. The base plan supports six profiles, though only two streams can run at once, and comes with unlimited cloud DVR storage. CR pointed out the service still doesn't carry AMC, BBC America or the NBA's own network, and some NBC shows have shifted exclusively to Peacock instead.

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Philo costs just $33 a month, priced lower than every other service in this lineup, and fits well for households that already pull in local channels through an antenna. Consumer Reports found the service delivers upward of 70 channels sourced from AMC Networks, Discovery, Paramount $PARA and other partners, and bundles in an ad-supported version of AMC's premium tier, a basic ad-supported version of HBO Max, and Discovery's streaming service at no extra charge. CR noted Philo also offers 100 free ad-supported channels without any subscription required. The tradeoff is real, since Philo carries no local channels and skips live news networks like CNN and Fox News along with sports networks such as ESPN.

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Sling TV costs $46 to $61 a month across its Orange, Blue and combined plans, each covering a different channel mix instead of one consistent lineup. Consumer Reports found the Orange plan includes Disney $DIS and ESPN for one user at a time, while Blue swaps in some local broadcasts and regional sports for up to three users but drops ESPN entirely. CR highlighted a boosted free cloud DVR allowance, now 50 hours up from 10, plus a free ad-supported tier called Freestream that skips the subscription entirely. The catch is that CBS locals aren't available on any Sling plan, and ABC, Fox and NBC only show up in certain markets.

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YouTube TV costs $83 a month for access to more than 100 channels, including every major broadcast network plus sports coverage from CBS Sports, ESPN and dedicated league channels covering baseball, basketball and football. Consumer Reports noted the service is rolling out lower-priced genre-based plans, such as a $65 sports package and a $55 entertainment plan, with a total of 10 such options expected through 2026. CR also pointed to the service's cloud DVR, which stores recordings for up to nine months, and its multiview feature that lets subscribers watch several games on one screen at once. Notable gaps CR flagged are cable channels like A&E, History Channel and Lifetime, which remain unavailable on the platform.