CABLE CUTTING

What’s the Best Streaming Live TV Bundle for You?

Compare plan pricing and channel lineups from DirecTV Now, PlayStation Vue, Sling TV and more

Updated Oct. 12, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. ET

Published Oct. 3, 2018 at 5:30 a.m. ET

Ready to ditch traditional cable for internet-based live TV that works across your home and mobile devices? We have analyzed eight providers, offering a total of 18 different channel lineups, to help you find a plan that meets your needs.

Select two packages below to see how many core channels—60 of the most popular channels—they have, and how they stack up in total across categories including news, sports and family entertainment. (Most services offer extra premium channels or sports packages—not shown—for additional fees.)

Just remember, these plans don’t include the cost of broadband internet service, which is required to use them.

Note: ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and The CW are affiliated with local networks and may not be available in certain markets, even if the provider says it carries the channel. The same goes for regional sports networks. Check each service provider to see what’s offered in your particular ZIP code.

Methodology: In order to provide a way to quickly compare packages, we selected 60 of the highest-rated and most familiar channels found in current pay-TV packages. We also segmented each package’s available channels into six categories: network, news, sports, movies & entertainment, lifestyle & documentary, and kids & family. While many channels might arguably fall into multiple categories, we assigned the most applicable single one.

Source: the companies (packages and channel listings). Photos from left: Eric Liebowitz/FX/Associated Press, Travis Pendergrass/Zuma Press, Scott Olson/Getty Images.

Credits:Jieqian Zhang, Elliot Bentley, and Wilson Rothman contributed to this piece. Photo illustration by Dave Cole.

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