Cord Cutting? Here Are the Most Affordable Streaming Options for Live TV

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Thinking about switching from cable to a streaming platform? Cutting the cord is a lot easier than you might think and can save you more on your monthly bill than certain basic cable plans.

For TV lovers who want to make the leap to streaming, and Spectrum customers looking for alternatives in light of the dispute with Disney, we’re breaking down some of the best platforms for live TV.

Check below for a roundup of streaming options that range from $25 a month up to $150 a month. The services recommended below offer month-to-month subscription plans that can be canceled at any time.

From Fubo to Peacock: Best Streaming Services for Live TV

Though major league streamers like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Paramount+ produce mostly on-demand content, Sling TV and Philo, DirecTV Stream and YouTube TV are some of the more affordable options for live content.

If you’re on a tight budget, Philo TV is the cheapest among the regular-priced plans on our list at $25/month after a one-week free trial. Stream 70+ channels including MTV, BET, A&E, Food Network, Discovery, Hallmark, ID, Nickelodeon, OWN, AMC, IFC, Lifetime, WeTV, HGTV, Comedy Central, Hallmark, TLC, TV One, OWN and the Paramount Network. Philo also includes DVR and like all other streamers, you can watch content from any compatible device.

When it comes to sports, it can be tricky finding an affordable streamer that offers your favorite games and other sporting events along with other channels. Thankfully, Fubo has a bit of everything.

Sports fans can stream NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL games along with NASCAR, MLS, MMA, tennis, soccer, boxing, golf, college sports and more on Fubo. Plans start at $76 a month (after the free trial) to access over 156 channels and 100+ sporting events. Watch ABC, NBC, Fox and CBS, along with MLB Network, Golf TV, NBA League Pass and other sports-only channels in addition to MTV, ESPN, VH1, E!, FX, MSNBC, TLC, MGM+, Paramount Network, TV Land, TRVL channel, USA, Bravo, Telemundo and more.

The subscription includes 1,000 hours of DVR space and family share to simultaneously stream on up to 10 screens at home and two outside of your home internet network.

Want more channels? Subscribe to Fubo Elite and stream 224 channels for $84.99/month or join Fubo Premier to access 233 channels for $94.99/month. Fubo’s Spanish Only plan is $24.99/month to stream 52 channels, 250 hours of cloud DVD and up to two screens.

In terms of affordability, Sling TV rivals Philo as streaming plans start at $20 for your first month ($40 after). Sling’s Orange and Blue plans include dozens of channels, DVR storage and streaming on multiple devices.

Hulu is one of the oldest platforms in the streaming world and one of the more affordable. Hulu + Live TV is $69.99 a month for 75+ channels and Hulu’s on-demand streaming library where you’ll find exclusives like The Kardashians, ‘Til Death Do Us Part: Kourtney & Travis, White Men Can’t Jump, How I Met Your Father, The Handmaid’s Tale, The Clearing and Only Murders in the Building. Hulu + Live TV also includes ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, NTVM BETM ESPN, ID, HGTV, Own, USA, TRVL channel, Oxygen, FX, Freeform and more; along with access to Disney+ and ESPN+.

Save $30 over three months when you subscribe to DirecTV Stream online. Plans start at $74.99/month to stream 75+ live channels and DVR recordings and special free subscriptions to Max, Starz and more with some of the larger streaming packages. And if you want to stream from outside of the U.S., DirecTV Stream works internationally with ExpressVPN and NordVPN.

What is the best way to save on your streaming bill? Most of the on-demand streamers like Hulu, Apple TV+, Disney+ and Paramount+ offer bundles, annual plans, student discounts, and cash back options through credit card companies, but streaming deals for live television can be a little harder to find, although not impossible. Typically, live TV streamers offer discounts on monthly streaming packages a few times a year (at the very least), including the NFL football season, which launches on Sept. 7, and the holiday season.

Streamers That Offer Live Channels

One of the perks of Peacock is that you’ll get a good mixture of live and on-demand content for $5.99/ month for ad-supported streaming but Peacock Premium subscribers can enjoy live access to NBC and commercial-free streaming for $11.99/month. Peacock gives you next-day access to current NBC programs; Premier League, WWE, Sunday Night Football, Indy 500 and other sporting events; plus movies, beloved TV shows (including Yellowstone) and original series such as Twisted Metal, Killing It, Bel-Air, Poker Face, Bupkis, and episode of Bravo shows such as the Real Housewives franchise, Vandperpump Rules and Below Deck.

Prime Video has live CBS stations, depending on your streaming plan. Add Paramount+ to your Prime channels (or subscribe separately) to access your local CBS channel along with hit shows, movies, soccer and other sports. Get 50% off when you subscribe to a Paramount+ annual plan. The price cut means you’ll pay just $2.50 per month for the Essential plan and $5 per month for the Premium plan with Showtime.

Some of the shows and movies currently streaming on Paramount+ and Showtime include Joe Pickett, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Special Ops: Lioness, Fatal Attraction, The Family Stone, Rabbit Hole, Star Trek: Picard, 1923, 1883, Mayor of Kingstown, Seal Team, RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, Billions, The Chi, Yellowjackets, Dexter, Transformers Rise of the Beasts, Scream VI, Top Gun: Maverick, Dungeons & Dragons and 80 for Brady, and Sonic 2.