For real, these days, not many people care about cable TVs anymore, the reason being that streaming services provide pass-as-you-go flexibility. Also, far from that, you can customize much more stuff with streaming services than with cable TV. Already, you’ve probably tried several streaming services, and have decided to settle with the one you currently use, but have you really tried these ones?
The best TV streaming providers in the US deliver content across genres and categories, including live TV programs right as they are happening, all at a good price. This article streamlines your search for the best TV service providers to these top 5 best, based on content library, pricing, features, and overall value.
The 5 Best TV Streaming Services in the USA Providing Cable-level Entertainment Experience
1. Hulu + Live TV
Getting a Hulu subscription – the +Live TV package – is all you need to forget that cable TV ever existed. Hulu is a versatile streaming service that offers both on-demand content and live TV options, making it ideal for those who want the best of both worlds.
You’re sure to get over 80 TV channels with the entry-level subscription plan, and the service offers unlimited DVR. However, there is limited 4K content on Hulu. Some popular Hulu Originals include The Bear, The Handmaid’s Tale, Only Murders in the Building, Abbott Elementary, and Fargo.
Key Features:
- Huge selection of current and past TV shows.
- Hulu + Live TV includes 90+ live channels.
- Bundle options with Disney+ and ESPN+.
- Supports multiple user profiles.
Pricing (Premium Plans):
- Hulu + Live TV (With Ads, includes Disney+ & ESPN+): $83.00/month
- Hulu + Live TV (No Ads on Hulu): $96.00/month
2. Disney+
Do you have younger ones at home? Or you’re personally a fan of Disney movies? Then you can’t go wrong with this one. Disney+ is a must-have for families and fans of Disney, Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, and National Geographic.
With a Disney+ subscription, you get to stream originals from Walt Disney, as well as the company’s franchises like Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars: The Mandalorian, Loki, Encanto, Frozen, and Avatar: The Way of Water. The subscription plans are super affordable compared to other TV streaming service providers.
Key Features:
- Exclusive access to Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar content.
- 4K UHD and HDR support at no extra cost.
- Family-friendly interface with parental controls.
- Downloads are available for offline viewing.
Pricing (Premium Plans):
- Disney+ (With Ads): $7.99/month
- Disney+ (No Ads): $13.99/month
- Disney+ Bundle (Includes Hulu & ESPN+ With Ads): $14.99/month
- Disney+ Bundle (No Ads on Disney+ and Hulu): $24.99/month
3. YouTube TV
YouTube TV Offers the best price of them all, but it’s short on Originals. Globally, everyone’s familiar with the standard version, YouTube, which is free with ads. Well, YouTube TV is a great alternative to cable, offering live TV channels with unlimited DVR storage.
Talk about a TV streaming service that broadcasts literally all TV channels, providing you with on-the-go access to local news and sports, as well as your favorite sitcoms and tele dramas. Well, the cost of YouTube TV has increased over the years. It used to be the lowest of them all but now it is at the same price point as Hulu+LiveTV and Disney+.
Key Features:
- 100+ live channels including sports, news, and entertainment.
- Unlimited DVR storage with recordings saved for 9 months.
- No contracts, cancel anytime.
- Supports up to 6 profiles per household.
Pricing (Premium Plans):
- Base Plan (100+ channels): $82.99/month
- Spanish Plan (28+ channels): $34.99/month
- Additional Add-Ons (HBO Max, Showtime, Starz, etc.): Price varies
4. Sling TV
One of the reasons many consider Sling TV a thing is because they offer free streaming. Yeah, the free stream is limited, but then, you’re actually getting some stuff for free. At its core, Sling TV is a budget-friendly live TV streaming service that offers a customizable channel lineup, making it ideal for people who are on a budget and do not want to commit to expensive cable subscriptions. This service offers over 400 free live streaming channels and then subjects the main “big” channels in its Orange and Blue paid plans.
Key Features:
- Two main packages: Sling Orange and Sling Blue.
- 50+ live TV channels including sports, news, and entertainment.
- Cloud DVR with 50 hours of storage (expandable).
- Affordable add-ons for premium channels.
- Access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, NFL Network, FX, Disney Channel, Freeform, and many others.
Pricing (Premium Plans):
- Sling Orange (32 channels, ESPN included): $40/month
- Sling Blue (40+ channels, Fox & NBC included): $40/month
- Sling Orange & Blue (combination plan): $55/month
- Additional add-ons available
5. Fubo TV
If you’re a sports lover, this one is for you. Of course, it offers channels that broadcast series, dramas, sitcoms, and all that, but the majority of the channels Fubo TV provides are sports-oriented.
Talk about channels like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, as well as international channels like ESPN, ESPN2/3, NFL Network, beIN Sports channels, the Big Ten Network, and many others. This is a sports lover’s buffet. You can get Fubo TV on literally any streaming stick or dongle you own.
Key Features:
- 180+ live TV channels, including ESPN, Fox Sports, and NBC Sports.
- Cloud DVR with 1,000 hours of storage.
- 4K streaming for select events.
- Multiple device streaming.
Pricing (Premium Plans):
- Fubo Essential (150+ Channels): $85/month
- Fubo Pro (250+ Channels): $85/month
- Fubo Elite (260+ Channels with 4K): $95/month ($75 first month)
- Fubo Latino (65+ Channels): $33/month
What More?
Nah, Netflix doesn’t fit into this list. HBO Max? Might be a worthy mention, but these five up there are the very first options to consider. ESPN+ is equally a good one for sports lovers, and there’s DirecTV, Philo, and Amazon Prime TV. These TV streaming services are all accessible in the US and provide both local and international channels. Time to cut the cable? Yeah, sounds more like it. Have a great day ahead.
