Rising costs, industry mergers, and channel blackout issues stemming from licensing battles have caused live TV streaming platforms to resemble traditional cable more closely. Nevertheless, ditching cable remains a more economical choice for the majority. Enthusiasts of sports and daily news updates find these services indispensable, with no superior alternatives available. After evaluating the primary competitors, our top pick for general users is YouTube TV. That said, we've outlined the offerings from various alternatives, including our assessments, to help you make an informed choice.
Editor's update: Beginning in early 2026, YouTube TV plans to introduce plans tailored to specific content genres. Details on costs and features are not yet available, but we'll revise this overview upon announcement. Those interested in holiday football broadcasts will require both Netflix and Prime Video access. The NFL streaming details appear later in this report.
Table of contents:
Leading live TV streaming platforms for 2026
Guidelines for accessing live NFL broadcasts
Top no-cost live TV streaming platforms for 2026
Key considerations when selecting a live TV streaming platform
Our evaluation process
Frequently asked questions about live TV streaming
Latest revisions
Top live TV streaming platforms for 2026
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Streaming live NFL contests
Broadcast rights for NFL regular-season games are distributed across several networks. Approximately 200 contests are set for Sundays on CBS/Paramount+ and Fox/Fox One. NBC/Peacock handles one weekly Sunday night event, Prime Video covers Thursday night games (barring Thanksgiving), and ABC/ESPN airs Monday night games. Certain matches are exclusive to NFL Network, while Netflix streams Christmas Day games. YouTube broadcast a single opening-week game. The full NFL schedule is available online, with the broadcasting network listed under each game's time.
On numerous Sundays, overlapping games air simultaneously from the same network. Fox and CBS transmit regional contests via local affiliates. Key national games appear on Fox One and Paramount+. To access every Sunday daytime game, subscribe to NFL Sunday Ticket, now solely on YouTube TV, priced from $35 to $115 monthly based on the plan selected (YouTube has introduced flexible monthly billing for this add-on). Keep in mind, this does not cover Sunday night games, requiring Peacock and/or local NBC access through YouTube TV or another source.
The majority of our suggested paid live TV streaming platforms provide the necessary channels for viewing most NFL games. YouTube TV, Fubo TV (including its new budget-friendly Fubo Sports tier), Hulu + Live TV, and DirecTV (Signature plans and MySports Genre bundles) deliver local Fox, CBS, ABC, and NBC in most regions, though not universally. They also include sports channels like Fox Sports, CBS Sports, and ESPN. Sling's Orange plan offers limited local channels (depending on location) and ESPN, but requires the Orange + Blue combo for Fox Sports; neither includes CBS Sports.
Accessing Christmas professional football games
For Christmas Day and the subsequent weekend, viewers will need beyond a standard live TV streaming platform. Netflix airs two December 25 games: Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders at 1 p.m. ET, followed by Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings at 4:30 p.m. ET. The third game streams on Prime Video during its Thursday Night Football slot, featuring Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs at 8:15 p.m. ET.
No football airs on Friday, but the next Saturday brings Houston Texans vs. Los Angeles Chargers on NFL Network, available via YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, DirecTV, and Sling Blue or Select.
Streaming NFL games without cost
A digital antenna connected to your television captures over-the-air regional games on local CBS, Fox, NBC, and ABC stations. These antennas cost $20 to $60. However, this method excludes NFL Network, Prime Video, or Netflix exclusives and out-of-market games.
Most paid live TV streaming platforms currently provide trials lasting days to a week. Users can switch services to view select games before canceling, avoiding charges, but the 18-week season makes full free coverage impractical.
As an alternative, local sports bars offer game viewings for the cost of a beverage and perhaps appetizers. Establishments broadcasting these games incur significant fees, making it a worthwhile option for patrons.
Does Paramount Plus offer live NFL streams?
Indeed, as the owner of CBS, which holds rights to numerous NFL games annually. This season, CBS airs over 100 regular-season games, primarily Sundays. View the CBS/Paramount+ NFL schedule online. Local CBS requires the $13/month Paramount+ Premium (previously with Showtime).
Is live football available on YouTube?
On September 5, 2025, YouTube debuted as an official NFL broadcaster, streaming a Friday night Week 1 game from São Paulo, Brazil: Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Chargers won 27-21). It was free globally on YouTube and included for YouTube TV subscribers.
No further free NFL streams are planned for 2025 on YouTube, but YouTube TV users access many games via local CBS, Fox, NBC, and ABC. Both app users and subscribers can add NFL Sunday Ticket for $35-$60 monthly, varying by deals. The YouTube app also allows Primetime Channel purchases like Paramount+, at standard rates.
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Leading no-cost live TV streaming platforms for 2026
Numerous avenues exist for free television access today. Many conventional streaming applications have integrated live elements—even Netflix. Peacock Premium Plus offers local NBC affiliates. Paramount+ Premium includes live CBS broadcasts. The recent Fox One platform features various live Fox channels. While these involve existing subscriptions, the live portions incur no additional fees.
Your smart TV's operating system often supplies free live programming: Amazon Fire TV, Google/Android TV, Roku Channel, and Samsung TV Plus provide hundreds of live channels and originals. Some paid platforms offer free tiers, such as Sling Freestream, Fubo Free (post-cancellation), and DirecTV MyFree. For additional choices, here are our tested top free ad-supported TV (FAST) apps with live content:
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Essential features in a live TV streaming platform
Accessing live TV streams
Live TV streaming mirrors apps like Netflix, accessible via phone, tablet, smart TV, or streaming device over the internet. Reliable, high-speed connections enhance quality. Apps typically require browser-based signup and payment, followed by activation on devices.
Monthly costs
Testing cord-cutting options revealed stark pricing gaps between live TV and basic streaming apps. The latter range $5-$20 monthly, while live TV starts at $80, potentially exceeding $200 with extras. This reflects expenses for multiple networks, especially sports and locals. All services have increased base rates in the last year.
Local station availability
Only two tested services lack comprehensive local coverage, one avoiding sports entirely—Philo, the lowest-priced. Sling, next in affordability, limits to three locals in major markets but includes key sports channels.
Providers with local TV prompt zip code entry for ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC affiliates. Free alternatives abound: Modern TVs support coaxial connections for HD antennas, capturing ABC, CBS, PBS, FOX, and NBC digitally, far superior to old antennas.
Streaming services are encroaching on broadcast turf. Peacock provides local NBC, Paramount+ local CBS. Netflix's new TF1 deal in France integrates live channels and on-demand into its app, with potential for broader rollout.
Live sports options
The array of sports networks is vast, complicating matchup tracking. Google aids by detailing upcoming events (search NFL, NBA, etc.); clicking reveals TV and streaming info.
The challenge remains securing desired RSNs. Some providers omit channels despite add-ons due to rights complexities, with networks frequently shifting. Major U.S. events typically appear on ESPN, Fox Sports, TNT, USA, and locals.
Traditional streamers are adding live sports: Peacock streams Premier League, Sunday Night Football, and 2024 Paris Olympics. Prime Video has Thursday Night Football, NBA/WNBA; Netflix, Christmas Day Football. Max offers NHL, MLB, NCAA, NBA select games via $10/month add-on.
Apple TV app add-on for MLS; Apple TV includes some MLB. Roku's new free sports channel; Paramount+ for CBS Sports including NFL. Tubi streamed 2025 Super Bowl free. These may not match live TV breadth but offer cost savings for specific interests.
Sports-focused plans provide cheaper alternatives. The ESPN-Fox-WB Venu joint venture was scrapped early this year. ESPN's August 21 launch includes all ESPN channels for $30/month. Fubo Sports at $56/month covers ABC, CBS, FOX locals plus sports like CBS Sports, FS1, and ESPN Unlimited networks.
Fox's August standalone service bundles Fox Sports and properties for $20/month. DirecTV's $70/month MySports focuses on sports; Comcast's $70/month sports-news bundle for Xfinity auto-pay users (higher otherwise).
Cable channel access
Channels like Bravo, BET, Food Network, HGTV, CNN, Lifetime, SYFY, and MTV were cable exclusives. Basic streamers like Netflix or Apple TV+ exclude them, but integrations grow: Max post-merger adds HGTV, Discovery, TLC; Peacock has Bravo, Hallmark; Paramount+ Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central.
Standalone apps like AMC+ exist. Discovery+ delivers 15 ad-free channels for $10/month ($6 with ads). Frndly TV starts at $7/month for A&E, Lifetime, Game Show Network, Outdoor Channel, and 35 more. Live TV platforms offer larger selections, but direct subscriptions may be cheaper for singles.
On-demand libraries
Most live TV plans include video-on-demand akin to traditional streaming, featuring recent network movies and series. Live events and news are generally absent, but episodes of shows like Top Chef or BET's Diarra from Detroit are searchable.
Bundles like Hulu-Disney or add-ons (Max with YouTube TV, Starz with Sling) expand libraries. For pure on-demand, direct network subs beat bundling costs.
DVR capabilities
All tested options provide cloud DVR without hardware. Storage is either unlimited (expiring after 9-12 months) or 50-1,000 hours indefinitely. Schedule series recordings automatically; apply to sports too.
Recordings allow commercial skipping, unlike live or VOD.
Concurrent streams and user profiles
Plans specify simultaneous streams (1 to unlimited, bandwidth-dependent). Travel is allowed, but home IP check-ins apply. Extra streams may require add-ons.
Profiles enable personalized watch histories, favorites, and recommendations per user.
Picture-in-picture and multiview features
Picture-in-picture shrinks video on mobile or browser for multitasking. Supported by Sling, YouTube TV, FuboTV, Philo, DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV on computers and mobiles.
Multiview displays multiple (usually four) live feeds, like sports, on TV. YouTube TV offers up to four from presets; FuboTV on Apple TV/Roku; DirecTV via mixes for sports, news, business, kids with fixed channels.
4K streaming availability
FuboTV, YouTube TV, and DirecTV Stream support 4K live streams with limitations. YouTube TV's $20/month add-on enables select 4K content. DirecTV Stream has three 4K channels (shows/originals and sports) free on Gemini, Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku—no extra cost. Sling's select 4K needs Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku. FuboTV's 4K events limited to Elite/Premier plans.
4K requires compatible TV/device and cabling.
Plan tiers and extras
Value assessment demands spreadsheets—we prepared three. Base plans span $28-$85/month. Add themed channel packs (news, sports, etc.) or premium VOD (Max, AMC+, Starz) for $5-$20 each. These integrate into guides, but can inflate $80 plans to $200+.
Free live TV access
We explored FAST apps like Freevee, Tubi, PlutoTV, Sling Freestream for no-cost live networks, often without signup. Devices like Roku, Fire TV/Stick, Samsung TV, Chromecast, Google TV include Roku Channel, Fire TV live tab, Samsung TV Plus, or Google TV for hundreds of channels.
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Our methodology for evaluating live TV streaming platforms
For guides, we select popular, highly rated options. Six paid services lead the market, all tested; four top free ones evaluated. After laptop account setup, apps installed on Samsung Tizen smart TV. We tallied locals, RSNs, top cable networks; compared prices, bases, add-ons.
UI organization assessed for navigation ease from menus to settings. Search tested on BET, Food Network, HGTV, Comedy Central shows across providers, timing access to specific episodes like Home Town season 6, episode 13.
DVR used for series/movies; VOD tested for pause/scan. Sports searches for NHL, NBA, MLS, NCAA basketball games recorded and replayed. Noted perks and flaws.
Tested live TV streaming platforms:
Philo
Sling
YouTube TV
Hulu + Live TV
DirecTV Stream
FuboTV
Freevee
Tubi
PlutoTV
Sling Freestream
Plex
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Frequently asked questions on live TV streaming
What defines live streaming?
Streaming delivers video via internet. Live types: linear (channel flows like pre-Netflix TV) and real-time (events like games or news).
How does streaming differ from live streaming?
Standard streaming (e.g., Netflix) offers on-demand selection. Live streaming covers real-time events and continuous channel programming.
Which platform excels for live TV?
FuboTV's clean interface organizes channels efficiently, clearly distinguishing live from on-demand in searches. YouTube TV similarly clarifies. Both provide over 100 live channels.
What's the best value in TV streaming?
Free services like PlutoTV, Plex, Tubi, FreeVee deliver ad-supported shows/movies at no charge, though with fewer premium channels. Choice hinges on content needs and avoiding extras.
Is cable or streaming more affordable?
Basic cable once exceeded base live TV costs, but hikes to $75+ monthly equalize. Add-ons can hit $200+ for both, yet streaming avoids contracts.
Which service offers the most channels?
None include all; Hulu + Live TV and DirecTV Stream lead in top-rated per Nielsen, with Hulu adding Disney+. FuboTV maximizes sports; YouTube TV broadest add-ons.
What's the leading live TV streaming service?
YouTube TV boasts most subscribers: over 8 million per 2024 CEO letter. Hulu + Live TV at 4.6 million (Disney Q3 2024). Sling at 1.9 million (down from 2 million in 2024); FuboTV at 1.6 million.
Are free streaming services secure?
Risks apply to P2P/file-sharing sites with malware potential. Legit FAST like PlutoTV, Tubi, Plex match paid service safety; minimal info required enhances anonymity.
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Recent changes
December 2025: Incorporated Fubo's channel and pricing shifts. Verified all service rates.
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