Best Streaming TV Service 2026: Complete Guide
What is the best streaming TV service?
YouTube TV is the best overall streaming TV service in 2026. It offers 100+ channels including all major networks, unlimited DVR storage, and excellent reliability for $73/month. For sports fans, FuboTV ($75) has more sports. For budget users, Sling TV ($40) is the cheapest.
- Best Overall: YouTube TV ($73/mo)
- Best for Sports: FuboTV ($75/mo)
- Best Budget: Sling TV ($40/mo)
- Cheapest: Philo ($25/mo, no sports/news)
We compared 6 major streaming TV services on price, channels, DVR, reliability, and features to help you cut the cord.
Quick Comparison
| Service | Price | Channels | DVR | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
YouTube TV | $73/month | 100+ | Unlimited (9 months) | OVERALL |
Hulu + Live TV | $77/month | 90+ | Unlimited (Enhanced) | VALUE BUNDLE |
FuboTV | $75/month | 150+ | 1000 hours | FOR SPORTS |
Sling TV | $40/month | 30-50 | 50 hours (free) | BUDGET |
DirecTV Stream | $65-155/month | 75-140 | Unlimited | FOR RSNs |
Philo | $25/month | 70+ | Unlimited | CHEAPEST OPTION |
YouTube TV
Best Overall Streaming TV Service 2026
YouTube TV wins for its combination of channel selection (100+), unlimited DVR, excellent streaming quality, and the most reliable service in our testing. At $73/month, it's not the cheapest, but it's the most complete cable replacement.
Detailed Service Reviews
YouTube TV
✅ Pros
- Unlimited DVR
- All major networks
- Excellent reliability
- Great interface
❌ Cons
- Expensive
- No A&E, History, Lifetime
- Price keeps increasing
Best for: Households wanting a complete cable replacement
Hulu + Live TV
✅ Pros
- Includes Hulu library
- Disney+ & ESPN+ bundle option
- Good channel selection
❌ Cons
- Only 2 streams
- 50hr DVR without upgrade
- Interface can be cluttered
Best for: Families who also want Hulu, Disney+, ESPN+
FuboTV
✅ Pros
- Most sports channels
- 4K streaming
- 10 simultaneous streams
- 1000hr DVR
❌ Cons
- Missing Turner networks (TNT, TBS, CNN)
- Expensive add-ons
- Less reliable than YouTube TV
Best for: Sports fans, especially soccer and international sports
Sling TV
✅ Pros
- Cheapest option
- Flexible packages
- No contract
- Good for cord-cutters on budget
❌ Cons
- No local channels in most areas
- Limited DVR
- Fewer channels than competitors
Best for: Budget-conscious cord-cutters who don't need locals
DirecTV Stream
✅ Pros
- Best regional sports coverage
- HBO Max included on higher tiers
- Unlimited streams at home
❌ Cons
- Expensive
- Confusing tier structure
- Reliability issues
Best for: Sports fans who need regional sports networks
Philo
✅ Pros
- Cheapest live TV option
- Unlimited DVR
- No contract
- Entertainment focused
❌ Cons
- No sports channels
- No news channels
- No local channels
Best for: Entertainment-only viewers who don't watch sports or news
Which Service Should You Choose?
Complete Cable Replacement
YouTube TV
All major networks + unlimited DVR
Sports Fan
FuboTV
150+ channels, most sports coverage
Budget Conscious
Sling TV
$40/mo for ESPN, CNN, TNT
Family Bundle
Hulu + Live TV
Includes Hulu + Disney+ option
Regional Sports
DirecTV Stream
Best RSN coverage
Entertainment Only
Philo
$25/mo, no sports/news
The IPTV Alternative
Looking beyond traditional streaming services? IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) offers a different approach with significantly more channels at lower prices.
IPTV Advantages:
- 20,000+ channels vs 100-150
- $15-20/month vs $40-80/month
- International channels included
- PPV events often included
Important Considerations:
- Requires separate player app
- Reliability varies by provider
- Research provider licensing
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Cut the Cord?
Explore your options and start saving money compared to traditional cable TV.