1. Best Streaming Tv Service Providers
2. Best Streaming Tv Device
3. Best Streaming Tv Service 2018 Comparison Chart

Let's face it, with so many great streaming services available, it's difficult to justify paying nearly $200 per month to watch television.

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The Rundown

• Best Overall:Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K at Amazon, “Access millions of websites as well as music streaming services, podcasts, and live radio stations.”
• Best Budget:Roku Express (2017 model) at Amazon, “The latest generation corrects many of the inconveniences of earlier models, making it truly the best budget option out there.”
• Best Streaming Device with Antenna DVR:TiVO Bolt OTA at Amazon, “It allows you to record shows over the air and play them back at your convenience.”
• Best Features:Roku Ultra at Amazon, “A fantastic choice for streaming fans looking for the best-featured option.”
• Best Value:Roku Stick at Amazon, “Platform agnostic and wants to give its customers all the options and it does so with gusto.”
• Best Apple Device:Apple TV 4 at Best Buy, “Supports many of the same services as the Roku but adds the ability to play back content from your iTunes library.”
• Best Smart Home Compatibility:Amazon Fire TV Cube at Amazon, 'A smart home and entertainment hub that follows your every voice command.'
• Best Smart Home DVR:Fire TV Recast at Amazon, 'Watch live TV or record your favorite shows using Fire TV, Echo Show, or compatible mobile devices.'
• Best for Smartphones:Chromecast Ultra at Best Buy, “Maybe the easiest and best-designed streaming service around.”
• Runner-Up, Best for Smartphones:Google Chromecast (Newest Model) at Best Buy, “The Google Home functionality lets you control this device with your voice.”
• Best for 4K:Roku 4K at Amazon, “The addition of 2,500+ streaming channels, 4x the resolution of 1080p HD and advanced up-scaling for 720p HD TVs.”
• Best for Gamers:NVIDIA Shield at Amazon, “All the streaming TV options are just icing on the cake as the real prize is the gaming.”

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K

The new Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K wants to upgrade your tried-and-true entertainment experience with its new streaming stick. Select from over 500,000 movies and TV shows from providers like Hulu, Netflix, STARZ, SHOWTIME, HBO, and Prime Video, and catch live TV if you have subscriptions like Playstation Vue, Sling TV, and Hulu. Users can access millions of websites like Facebook and YouTube, as well as music streaming services, podcasts, and live radio stations such as Amazon Music and Spotify. For the ultimate visual and audio experience, the stick is compatible with 4K Ultra HD, HDR, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision.

The Fire TV Stick’s latest iteration also features Amazon Alexa, which is capable of everything from helping you select what new show you should watch to controlling the lights, checking live camera feeds, and monitoring the weather. The stick features a powerful 1.7 GHz processor for rapid loading times and the addition of physical volume controls and power buttons, meaning you no longer have to deal with multiple remotes to control one device.

Best Budget: Roku Premiere

While the Roku Ultra is the current king of streaming devices, the Roku Premiere does nearly everything its big brother does but costs less than half the price, making it an especially good deal. The Roku Premiere wants to be the center of your entertainment universe, capable of streaming more than 1,000 “channels” like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Now, Amazon Video, Sling TV, and YouTube. And on top of being the unit that delivers HD shows and movies, the Roku Premiere is powerful enough to show you brilliant 4K and HDR content that will light up any 4K HDTV. The Premiere also has a 4K Spotlight channel if you want to easily find 4K movies and shows. If you want to control the box from your phone instead of the included remote, you can do that with the Roku mobile app for iOS or Android. One final and underrated thing that makes the Premiere such a good deal is the inclusion of a free HDMI cable, something people often have to buy separately.

Best Streaming Device with Antenna DVR: TiVO Bolt OTA

If you’ve “cut the cord” on your cable service and switched over to streaming services only, you may realize you miss some of the programming from over-the-air channels like ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, PBS, and The CW — there are a lot of great shows and sporting events on these channels that you can watch for free. TiVO has provided a solution for this. If you purchase a digital antenna and a TiVO Bolt OTA, you can record shows over the air and play them back at your convenience.

The TiVO Bolt OTA acts as a digital DVR for all the shows you watch from free channels. It has 1 TB of memory and can record up to 150 hours of HD content. The Bolt OTA can also stream shows from services like Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and YouTube if you feel like using only one device for everything. Unlike most other boxes in this category, the Bolt OTA requires you to buy the box for $250 and then pay for the TiVO service to get the most out of it. This will run you $7 a month, $70 annually, or a one-time payment of $250. This pricing is a little steep, but if you love network shows and live sports, it very well may be worth it to supplement your other streaming services.

Best Features: Roku Ultra

Roku’s new flagship, the Ultra is a fantastic choice for streaming fans looking for the best-featured option. At 4.9 x 4.9 x .8 inches, the square-ish Ultra is capable of supporting both 4K and HDR picture quality with a powerful quad-core processor. The 4K Ultra HD streaming is handled at 60fps, or four times the resolution of 1080p HD, and, thanks to a new design, runs without fans. There’s an HDMI port, Ethernet port (plus 802.11 a/c), digital output, microSD slot for additional storage and a USB port. Unfortunately, there’s no HDMI cable included, which is a strange omission.

Thanks to a powerful processor, navigating Roku’s already friendly menu system is a cinch. Channel selection is front and center and shows apps that have been downloaded. The Ultra, like a number of other Roku devices, offers voice search, which works fairly well overall. Speak the name of the show, actor, director or app into the remote control or mobile app (Android and iOS) and voila, your results will pop up. The remote is standard Roku fashion with the colorful Purple direction pad and a slew of shortcuts to big name apps and other controlling functions.

There is a 4K spotlight app that highlights UHD content across a variety of services. Night mode is a welcome addition that tones down big explosions and highlights dialogue so you can let the rest of the house sleep while you watch late at night. The combination of the new processor, 4K and HDR streaming, plus one of the most expansive channel selections, means the Ultra won't disappoint.

Best Value: Roku Stick

The Roku stick has a powerful quad-core processor and dual-band wireless that provides up to 8x more processing power than ever before. The usual suspects are here with Netflix, VUDU, Amazon, Google Play and more.

Unlike Chromecast and Apple TV, Roku is platform agnostic and wants to give its customers all the options and it does so with gusto. We’d love to see 4K support, but that’s a sacrifice we can make thanks to the superb IR-ready remote control, excellent companion app for Android and iOS and hundreds of apps and services. In fact, the only big name missing here is iTunes and unsurprisingly, you won’t find iTunes anywhere other than an Apple-manufactured product. You might miss out on expandable storage but, again, aspects like best-in-class search allows us to overlook some of the Roku Stick drawbacks.

There are some additional downsides, like the fact that not every included streaming app is up to date with its most recent UX changes or that its HDMI-only which is bad news for older TV owners. Also, we’d love to see Roku do something about an average 2 minute and 52 second startup time. However, thanks to its selection of streaming content, a fast and incredibly responsive interface and cross-service search, the Roku Stick is an easy choice for one of our favorite streaming TV devices.

Best Apple Device: Apple TV 4

Apple TV 4 is a smaller, more expensive unit but retains the polished interface that has made Apple’s products some of the best-selling devices. The 1.66-ounce unit features incredible voice search from Siri, an excellent selection of apps and AirPlay for unsupported apps. Apple TV supports many of the same services as the Roku but adds the ability to play back content from your iTunes library. Throw in mirroring from your iPhone, iPad or Macbook through AirPlay and you’ve got a whole lot of possibilities.

Still, not everything is perfect as anyone not tied into Apple’s ecosystem won’t see the full value of the Apple TV. Given the cost, there’s little question this streaming TV device is only good for those completely sold on Apple’s closed ecosystem. Of 6,000+ native apps on the Apple TV now, 1,300 are for streaming video. Siri voice search does well, but its app limitation is an annoyance given how well Roku has performed this function at a cheaper cost. One particular note is that most buyers should be more than satisfied with the less expensive 32GB model rather than the 64GB model. Unless you’re looking to use the Apple TV as a heavy gaming machine, the smaller memory learns how to free up space on its own to allow for the introduction of new apps.

The lack of first-run content from other sources like Google Play is a notable omission, but hardly a surprise in today’s Apple vs Android world. Considering that most first-run content is available on each platform (save for some exclusives), it’s not a deal breaker.

Best Smart Home Compatibility: Amazon Fire TV Cube

Amazon’s Fire TV Cube hopes to replace the TV remote entirely. A combination of the Echo speaker and Fire TV stick, it will be your new smart home and entertainment hub that follows your every voice command. And as with most of Amazon's other branded devices, you can use the Alexa assistant to control your TV, cable box, soundbar or other audio equipment. If you want to turn on the TV, just say “Alexa, turn on the TV.” Ask it to play your favorite shows or music, too. Even the volume can be controlled through voice commands.

Amazon's Fire entertainment hub gives you instant access to all your favorite streaming services like Prime Video, Netflix, HBO, Showtime and more. All totaled, there are more than 500,00 movies and TV episodes. That includes a large number of 4K Ultra HD-ready content that streams at a super-smooth 60fps. The Fire TV Cube also gives you direct access to YouTube, Facebook, and more with two built-in web browsers.

Want to take a look at some other options? See our guide to the best Amazon devices.

Best Smart Home DVR: Fire TV Recast

With the Fire TV Recast, you’re able to watch live TV or record your favorite shows using Fire TV, Echo Show, or compatible mobile devices. Amazon’s first step into the future of entertainment, the Recast gives you access to over-the-air (OTA) channels, works with Prime Videos, and provides access to premium subscription services like HBO, Starz, and Showtime. Though a separate HD antenna is necessary to access OTA channels, the Fire TV mobile app helps you set it up in a spot with the best possible reception.

The entry-level, two-tuner Recast lets you record and watch up to two programs at once, and is able to store up to 75 hours of HD DVR recordings. Upgrading to the four-tuner, 1TB model will introduce the option to store up to 150 hours. Pair the Recast with an Alexa-enabled device to search for shows, change channels, browse, or schedule recordings, all with just a voice command.

Best for Smartphones: Chromecast Ultra

Google’s taking the “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it” saying and throwing it right out the window by taking the already impressive Google Chromecast and making it even better. The Chromecast Ultra now offers streaming in 4K Ultra HD and HDR with additional speed boosts to handle the more intense quality. Like its predecessors, the Chromecast Ultra plugs right into your TV’s HDMI port and works with the iPhone, iPad, Android devices and laptops with thousands of Cast-enabled apps.

Google’s Chromecast supports more than 200,000 TV shows and movies, plus 30 million songs, radio, sports, games and more. While it’s arguable that options like the Roku are more feature-rich, Google’s Chromecast Ultra may be the easiest and best-designed streaming service around.

The inclusion of an Ethernet adapter will assist homes and Internet connections that might not already be optimized and ready to take advantage of 4K streaming. Chromecast users will find the ability to mirror websites right on the TV, as well as mirror their smartphone. Power is supported through a microUSB connection that can go right into any power outlet, while HDMI plugs right into the TV.

Runner-Up, Best for Smartphones: Google Chromecast (Newest Model)

If you’ve used a Chromecast before, you know basically what you’re getting into: a dongle-like device that plugs into your display or TV to which you can “beam” content from your smartphone using the Google Home app. Ostensibly, new generations of Chromecast basically just step up quality of use for the most part. The latest generation comes in either chalk or charcoal, so you can choose the one that best blends into your home entertainment setup. The resolution on the latest unit is 1080p at 60fps, which should do just fine for most modern displays — it is important to note that if you’re looking for a higher 4K resolution, you’ll need to look at the Chromecast Ultra.

This unit supports Wi-Fi at the 802.11ac (2.4GHz or 5 GHz), with that second band being a bit of an upgrade from a lot of low-level wireless devices. There is also improved Google Home functionality, letting you control this device with your voice and other Google integrations if you already have a Google Home Mini.

Best for 4K: Roku 4K

Unlike most of its competition that strive for 1080p quality, the Roku 4 truly takes quality to another level. The addition of 2,500+ streaming channels, 4x the resolution of 1080p HD and advanced up-scaling for 720p HD TVs all seal the Roku 4’s place as a winner in our book. Capable of working with any TV with an HDMI connection, 4K streaming is limited to TVs that are already 4K UHD ready which isn’t as popular as 1080p models but expect that to change dramatically in the next few years.

One notable drawback is that the Roku 4 only supports HDMI 2.0, not HDMI 2.0a, which might not seem like a big detail today, but it could be in the future when additional support for high-dynamic streaming content is added. The Roku 4 matches its Stick companion in responsiveness and ease-of-use and we love the addition of quick-access buttons for both Netflix and Sling. All the major players are available through Roku including Netflix, Twitch, YouTube, Amazon, and Hulu. Want to stream photos, music and videos stored on your smartphone directly to the Roku 4? You’re just one app download away from yet another wonderful benefit of owning a Roku.

Best for Gamers: NVIDIA Shield

If it’s gaming you really want, the NVIDIA Shield is your Android TV streamer of choice. Rather than the more expansive and feature-rich options like the Xbox One or Playstation 4, the Shield is a happy medium between a gaming device and full TV streamer. While it’s pricey, it does come with 16GB of internal storage and performance that’s 3x faster than the Apple TV, 10x faster than the Roku 4 and 4x faster than the Fire TV. There’s no shortage of entertainment prospects here including Netflix, HULU, YouTube, ESPN, Showtime, Disney, Kodi, HBO, etc. Pick up the additional remote and say things like “Oscar-winning movies” or “Launch Netflix” and Google’s advanced voice commands will find exactly what you’re looking for. Although one notably absent service is Amazon’s Prime Video.

And I can put it on all of my computers. I can also have Flexistarter 8.6 and Flexidesigner10.5 on the same computer. But I can only use 1 PC. They each have their own license and their own dongle.

All the streaming TV options are just icing on the cake as the real prize is the gaming. Capable of streaming new and classic PC games from the cloud via GeForce NOW alongside a host of Android and SHIELD-exclusive gaming options, there’s everything from family favorites, indie hits to the biggest names in mobile gaming. Realistically, it’ll run gaming circles around the Apple TV or Amazon’s Fire TV but it’s still not a dedicated replacement for a game console. Included is a game controller which also functions as the main way to search.

Setup is relatively easy with Android TV and the Shield is no exception. Choose a language, Wi-Fi password, account log-in and you’re off. The Shield handles all OS and app updates behind the scenes leaving you to enjoy the fruits of technology.

Tested by

How We Tested

We bought three top-rated devices for streaming TV that our reviewers tested for 40 hours. We asked our testers to consider the most important features when using these devices, from their connectivity to their display quality. We’ve outlined the key takeaways here so that you, too, know what to look for when shopping.

What to Look for in a Device for Streaming TV

4K resolution - If you have a 4K television, and a fast internet connection, then a television streaming device that supports 4K is the perfect way to watch ultra-high-definition content. If you don’t have a 4K television yet, then getting a streaming device with 4K resolution will future proof your setup.

Ethernet connectivity - Streaming devices typically connect to the internet via Wi-Fi, but plugging in a physical Ethernet cable is much more dependable. If you want to avoid annoyances like buffering, make sure that you have the option to use Ethernet when you really need it. Some TV streaming devices have an optional Ethernet adapter for just this reason.

App availability - Most TV-streaming devices support most video streaming services, but don’t take it for granted that this will always be the case. If you already subscribe to any streaming services, make sure that the streaming device you choose actually has apps for them.

Test Results: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (Best Overall)

What We Like

• Great picture quality

• Easy setup

• Superb Alexa voice control capabilities

What We Don't Like

• Remote doesn’t light up

• Apps don’t come pre-loaded

Our testers loved that the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4 is easy to use, has a variety of apps, and can connect with Alexa and other smart home devices. One reviewer noted, “It's also great to be able to ask Alexa to play a video or show and it will grab items from all of your streaming areas.” Other pluses, according to our testers, were the “quick and easy” setup, “super clear” picture quality and “easy to navigate” menu.

Test Results: Roku Premiere (Best Budget)

What We Like

• Simple setup

• Good picture quality

• Easy to use

What We Don't Like

• Must point remote directly at Roku

Our testers liked that this device was easy to set up and use — “easy enough that my 7-year-old niece is able to do it,” noted one reviewer. One of our testers also loved the image quality: “The picture looks good on my screen and is comparable to my Apple TV,” she said. The negatives? One tester didn’t like that she had to point the remote directly at the Roku to get it to respond.

Test Results: TiVO Bolt OTA (Best Streaming Device with Antenna DVR)

What We Like

• Easy to navigate

• Convenient guide feature

• High picture quality for live TV

What We Don't Like

• Lengthy setup

• Poorer picture quality for recorded TV

“I really like the ease of toggling between live TV, Hulu, and Netflix at the push of a button,” one of our reviewers said of the TiVO Bolt OTA. In addition to how easy it was to use, our testers liked the high display quality when watching live TV. According to one of our reviewers, the helpful guide for upcoming shows was also a standout feature: “This is something I was not able to previously see by just using an antenna,” he explained. In terms of negatives, one of our reviewers cautioned that the display quality went down when watching recorded TV and also noted the bulkiness of the device.

Everyone's ditching cable.

An increasing number of tech companies are trying to attract the millions of 'cord-cutters' who have ditched traditional cable TV for internet-based replacements.

Relative newcomers like Hulu and Google's YouTube are breaking in, while old-school heavies like Sony, Dish Network, and AT&T have been fighting it out for months now.

So, which is right for you?

Since this is the TV industry in America, figuring out what's what is complex. To help you see which — if any — make sense for you, we've broken down the biggest live-TV streaming services you can choose from today: PlayStation Vue, Sling TV, DirecTV Now, YouTube TV, and Hulu with Live TV, as well as a smaller offering called Fubo TV that's focused on sports.

Let's dig into the fine print:

Jeff Dunn contributed to an earlier version of this post.

1. Sling TV

1. How much does it cost?

It's $20 a month for the base Sling Orange package, or $25 a month for a Sling Blue package with more channels.

For $40 a month, you can buy the Orange and Blue packages together, but the two do not totally overlap in terms of channel selection. (Hold that thought.)

From there, you can tack on a bunch of smaller specialized bundles of channels for between $5 and $15 a month per bundle. There are way too many to list here, so you should have a look at Sling's service page.

2. How many channels does it have?

Sling Orange has about 30 channels. Sling Blue has about 45 channels depending on where you live, but its lineup doesn't include everything in Sling Orange.

The add-on bundles can incorporate a few dozen more channels, but those vary wildly in terms of popularity. The likes of MTV, Starz, and Showtime are very popular; other networks, like the Outdoor Channel, are more niche.

3. Which major channels are not included?

CBS is absent. ABC is there, but only for some markets, and only with a Sling Orange subscription. It also costs an extra $5 a month. For the kids, the main Nickelodeon channel isn't available either.

Also, while Sling does carry some Fox and NBC channels, they're included only in the Sling Blue package — and you're still missing the main NBC and Fox channels. There's a good chance those local channels won't even be available if you don't live in one of a few major markets. Check your coverage before you buy.

Sling TV (continued)

4. Does it include ESPN?

Yes, but like every other Disney-owned channel, it's only in Sling Orange. There, you get ESPN, ESPN 2, and ESPN 3 by default. This is the main thing that keeps the Orange and Blue packages from overlapping.

5. What about local sports and non-ESPN sports networks?

This is a little convoluted.

Sling Blue doesn't have ESPN, but it does include Fox and Comcast/NBC regional sports channels. Again, those vary by region — you can use the tool on Dish's FAQ page to check what's covered in your area.

As for other national sports channels, only Sling Blue includes Fox Sports 1, NFL Network, and NBC Sports Network. With Sling Blue, you can add a Sports Extra package that includes the NFL's RedZone channel, NBA TV, NHL Network, and others for $10 a month.

If you have Sling Orange, though, that Sports Extra package costs $5 a month, doesn't include NFL RedZone, and throws in a few more deep-in-the-weeds sports channels. Again, that's in addition to the main ESPN networks, which Sling Blue does not have.

You can probably see why these services aren't quite revolutionary now.

6. What about HBO?

HBO is available as an add-on to one of the core bundles. It costs $15 a month, the same as the standalone HBO Now streaming service.

Sling TV (continued)

7. Which devices does it support?

You can check Sling's support page for the full list, but the only notable no-show is Sony's PlayStation 4.

Otherwise, Roku, Apple TV (fourth gen), Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, iOS, Android, Android TV, Windows, macOS, Xbox One, Google Chrome, and others are all supported.

8. Does it have DVR so I can record shows I missed?

Yes, but it doesn't come included with a basic subscription. Instead, you have to pay an extra $5 a month for up to 50 hours of DVR storage.

Beyond that, a decent chunk of channels — namely Disney's and ESPN's networks — cannot be recorded for the time being. ( Here's a full list.) And while Fox networks can be recorded, you'll automatically be reverted to the on-demand version of those shows if they're available. That means you'll have to watch ads.

Sling has done well to roll out DVR support to more devices over the past few months, but Apple's macOS is still out of luck. There's no limit on how long you can keep a recording, though, and Sling now lets you 'protect' specific recordings in case you run out of space.

9. Can I pause and rewind live TV?

Technically, yes. But several channels — including ESPN, CNN, TBS, Cartoon Network, and AMC — do not support the feature and can only be watched live.

These channels typically lack support for Sling's replay feature, in which certain recently aired programs are available to stream for a limited time after they first air.

10. How many people can use it at once?

With Sling Orange, you can only have one active stream going at a time. With Sling Blue, that's bumped up to three concurrent streams. With the $40-a-month Orange-plus-Blue combo package, it becomes four.

Sling TV (continued)

11. Any other extras I should know about?

Sling TV is particularly stacked with bundles of foreign-language channels. Those cost a few bucks extra each month, but if you live a multilingual household, you may find one worthwhile.

Sling has also undergone a big rebranding effort. Now, it advertises itself as providing 'a la carte TV.' This is misleading: A true a la carte service lets you pick and choose which channels you want on an individual basis. Sling TV, like every other live-TV service in America, does not do that. It still saddles you with networks you may never watch.

Still, Sling is at least getting at the big difference between it and its peers: flexibility. Yes, navigating the nitpicky differences between its bundles is a headache, but Sling TV is by far the most malleable when it comes to deciding what kind of bundles you want to include. It's the most affordable service as a result. Some reports say it's the most popular one as well.

2. PlayStation Vue

1. How much does it cost?

Best Streaming Tv Service Providers

Vue's entry-level Access package costs $40 a month. Tiered packages with more channels go for $45, $55, and $75 a month.

Beyond the base tiers, there are a handful of add-on channels and packages, which range from $2 to $15 a month.

Sony used to offer Vue for as low as $30 per month in all but a handful of major markets, mainly as a way of offsetting its lack of local network coverage in most areas. But the company recently raised the price to major-market levels across the board, even for those who were already subscribed to a lower-priced plan.

Sony has steadily added more local networks in that time, but not everywhere, meaning some subscribers have had to deal with a straight price hike.

2. How many channels does it have?

Vue's Access tier has nearly 50 channels. The next tier, Core, has about 60. Then there's an Elite tier with 90. Finally, an Ultra tier takes the Elite package and adds HBO and Showtime.

3. Which major channels are not included?

Sony dropped its partnership with Viacom, which means Vue has no way to stream Comedy Central, MTV, Spike, Nickelodeon, or any other Viacom property. Those are the biggest outright absences.

As with Sling TV, Vue's relationship with the big four networks is complicated. In total, Vue delivers more local networks nationwide than any of its peers. This is at least part of why Sony bumped Vue's price nationwide — securing those deals isn't cheap.

However, only a handful of very large markets can watch CBS, ABC, Fox, and NBC live. Most others have to watch shows from at least some of the big four networks on demand, a day after they air. You may get one live, or you may get three. But you won't get all four. And in some markets, CBS is unavailable altogether.

Just be sure to check where you stand first — or buy an antenna. This is another reminder that live-TV services aren't wresting power away from media and cable giants just yet.

PlayStation Vue (continued)

4. Does it include ESPN?

Yes. Even in its base Access tier, PlayStation Vue includes both ESPN and ESPN 2. Other ESPN channels are relegated to higher tiers and add-ons, though.

5. What about local sports and non-ESPN sports networks?

The entry-level Access tier includes Fox Sports 1 and NBC Sports Network.

Going up a tier adds other national sports channels like the NFL Network and MLB Network, as well as regional sports networks from Fox, Comcast/NBC, and the like.

Sony also offers a separate $10-a-month Sports Pack that includes NFL RedZone, some extra ESPN channels, and national feeds for various Comcast/NBC regional sports channels and NESN (a Boston-based regional sports channel). This is available only to non-Access subscribers, so adding it would bring your total cost to at least $55 a month.

Still, there's no guarantee Vue will have all regional sports networks in a given market, and exactly which games those networks are allowed to air can vary. Sony has been expanding its regional support over time, but not every gap is filled yet.

6. What about HBO?

HBO is available as an add-on to one of the core bundles. It costs $15 a month on its own, the same as HBO's standalone HBO Now streaming service.

PlayStation Vue (continued)

7. Which devices does it support?

While it has PlayStation in the name, Vue does work with boxes beyond Sony's PS4 and PS3. This is one of Vue's biggest strengths: Roku boxes, Apple TV (2015), Amazon Fire TV, iOS, Android, and Android TV are all supported. The only major absentee is Microsoft's Xbox One.

8. Does it have DVR so I can record shows I missed?

Yes. With few exceptions, you can record whatever show you want to the cloud. There's no limit on how many hours you can record, but you can save each recording for up to 28 days after it airs.

Recorded shows can be watched from your DVR outside of your home internet network, too, though that option isn't available for everything (namely CBS).

The company does say it will 'occasionally' replace your DVR recordings with the on-demand version of certain programs, though, particularly when 'a specific episode hasn't recently aired' or when it doesn't have the DVR rights for that show. That means you may have to watch ads.

9. Can I pause and rewind live TV?

Yes. Generally speaking, Vue allows you to pause and rewind more channels than its peers.

Like every other live-TV service, though, it can't make every program of every show available to watch on demand.

10. How many people can use it at once?

You can have up to five streams going at a time. That's more than any other service.

However, some channels still won't work outside of your home network. And things can vary depending on what devices you use: Sony says that only one PS4 console and one PS3 console can stream simultaneously on one network and that there can be only three separate streams simultaneously from iOS, Android, and a web browser.

11. Any other extras I should know about?

In our testing, PlayStation Vue has the fewest technical problems. You may be less lucky, but that — combined with the full- ish feature set and simple enough interface — makes Vue feel like the most polished service to date.

Along with DirecTV Now, Vue also works with more TV Everywhere apps than its peers. That means you can use your Vue login to watch various network streaming apps that normally require a cable account.

3. DirecTV Now

1. How much does it cost?

DirecTV took a Coldstone Creamery approach to its naming conventions. The entry-level package is called 'Live a Little,' and it costs $35 a month. A larger 'Just Right' tier then costs $50 a month. Next, a 'Go Big' tier costs $60 a month. Finally, a 'Gotta Have It' tier costs $70 a month.

2. How many channels does it have?

The base tier includes a little more than 60 channels. The Just Right tier raises that to about 80. The Go Big tier brings it to about 100. Then the final tier includes about 120 channels.

You can also add HBO, Cinemax, and Starz for separate monthly fees. A Showtime add-on will be available in the near future, too.

Purely on a cost-per-channel basis, this makes DirecTV Now the densest service of the bunch. Seen another way, it's also the most cable-like streaming service — both in terms of price and offerings.

3. Which major channels are not included?

CBS was the big absentee, but AT&T has since patched that hole and added CBS and The CW to all of its packages. Showtime is available as an $8 monthly add-on, while others like CBS Sports Network will be available in higher tiers.

Getting the other three major networks, once again, depends on where you live. A small selection of major markets broadcast NBC, ABC, and Fox live — some carry two, others get only one. If one of those channels isn't available to watch live, DirecTV Now will make its primetime content available on demand after a 24-hour delay.

It's worth using AT&T's channel-lookup tool to see if you need an antenna. Vue's local network support generally covers more people, but AT&T is steadily getting closer.

DirecTV Now (continued)

4. Does it include ESPN?

Yes. Even in the base tier, you get ESPN and ESPN 2 by default. Other ESPN channels are relegated to the next-highest tier, though.

5. What about local sports and non-ESPN sports networks?

The entry-level tier includes Fox Sports 1 and NBC Sports Network.

As with Vue, you need to step up a tier to get regional sports channels from Fox and Comcast/NBC. AT&T covers a good chunk of those, but definitely not all, so use the lookup tool to see where you stand. Even then, it's hard to talk in absolutes when it comes to licensing agreements for each market.

Various other sports networks are included in the higher tiers, but there's no NFL Network or RedZone. There's also no NFL Sunday Ticket, even though DirecTV sells that as part of its standard satellite-TV service.

6. What about HBO?

HBO is available as an add-on to one of the main tiers. However, it costs just $5 a month. That's $10 less than with Sling TV, PlayStation Vue, or Hulu.

DirecTV Now (continued)

7. Which devices does it support?

Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android, iOS, Chromecast (but only for Android), and newer Roku devices. It's available through the web, too, but via only Google Chrome or Apple's Safari browser.

AT&T says support for Xbox One and Chromecast on iOS is coming, but those aren't live yet. There's also nothing for PlayStation 4 and most Android TVs.

8. Does it have DVR so I can record shows I missed?

No. This is the biggest knock against DirecTV Now for the time being. AT&T launched a beta version of an upcoming DVR feature, however, and says a finished version will be available to everyone in 2018. It's unclear what limits that DVR may have.

Right now, there are on-demand recordings for a select number of shows, as well as a '72-Hour Rewind' replay feature that lets you go back and watch programs aired within the last three days on certain networks. AT&T has worked to expand support for the latter, though it still doesn't include any of the four major networks, nor regional sports channels.

9. Can I pause and rewind live TV?

You can pause, but not rewind or fast-forward. And you can pause for only a few seconds at a time. This is another major shortcoming.

AT&T does have a restart feature that lets you go back to the beginning of a program if you tune in late, but again, only select networks are supported.

10. How many people can use it at once?

DirecTV Now supports two concurrent streams on an account. That's relatively low. Like Vue, it can also keep you from streaming some local channels when you're out of town.

DirecTV Now (continued)

11. Any other extras I should know about?

If you subscribe to AT&T's mobile service, you can stream DirecTV Now over a mobile connection at no cost to your data cap. This is a practice called zero rating, and the way AT&T does it may or may not be killing the open internet. But it's a nifty perk.

Beyond that, if you pay $90 a month for AT&T's 'unlimited' data plan, you can shave $25 off the service each month (through monthly credits). That is a very good deal if you're already OK with AT&T's mobile service, and that effectively makes DirecTV Now as low as $10 a month. That plan also comes with a free HBO subscription, potentially bypassing DirecTV Now's $5 monthly fee.

All that said, DirecTV Now has faced the most technical issues in our testing. Things have calmed down a bit since it launched, but don't be surprised if you face a crash or two.

Similar to PlayStation Vue, your DirecTV Now login can also be used to work with a good chunk of network-specific streaming apps.

It's also worth noting that AT&T is promising some appealing features for DirecTV Now in the future, including an overhauled interface, 4K HDR streaming support, and the ability to download shows for offline viewing. We'll be sure to keep an eye out.

4. YouTube TV

1. How much does it cost?

It's $35 a month. You can add Showtime for another $11 a month or Fox Soccer Plus for another $15 a month.

2. How many channels does it have?

Just shy of 60, plus the original (and youth-focused) shows that come with a YouTube Red subscription.

3. Which major channels are not included?

Rocscience slide 2018. YouTube pitches its service as a more curated selection of channels. Right now, that means there are no Viacom channels (Comedy Central, MTV, Spike, Nickelodeon), no Discovery channels, and no A&E.

One notable selling point: Besides ABC in the Dallas area, YouTube offers all of the major broadcast networks in every market in which it's available. The big four are all available to watch live, too; Youtube says only The CW content is limited to on demand in certain areas.

YouTube TV (continued)

4. Does it include ESPN?

Yes. ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNEWS, and ESPN U channels are included. YouTube plans to add ESPN 3 at some point in the future.

5. What about local sports and non-ESPN sports networks?

You get Fox Sports 1, NBC Sports Network, Big Ten Network, and CBS Sports Network by default. With the addition of Turner channels, you also get NBA games on TNT and playoff baseball on TBS.

There are regional sports stations from Fox and Comcast/NBC, too. But, per usual, those aren't fully covered everywhere. You can use YouTube TV's sign-up page to see what's available before you buy.

6. What about HBO?

Nope. You'll have to use HBO Now separately.

YouTube TV (continued)

7. Which devices does it support?

YouTube TV works with Android, iOS, Apple AirPlay, Chromecast, the web, Android TV, and any other smart TVs with Google Cast built in. It recently added the Apple TV to its list of supported devices, in addition to working with Roku and Xbox One.

YouTube has said support for more devices will come in time, but right now, those with a Fire TV and/or PlayStation 4 are out of luck. Still, YouTube TV works on the vast majority of streaming devices — a huge improvement over where things were six months ago.

8. Does it have DVR so I can record shows I missed?

Yes. Not only that, there's no cap on the number of hours you can record. YouTube saves your recordings for up to nine months.

That's great, but, annoyingly, you can't skip ads with some recordings. This is because YouTube often replaces DVR recordings with the on-demand copies you'd normally see through a cable subscription.

9. Can I pause and rewind live TV?

Yes. And like every other service, YouTube TV makes a select number of shows available on demand and through 'replay' recordings.

10. How many people can use it at once?

You can have three streams simultaneously.

Beyond that, you can tie up to six separate accounts to one subscription. Each of those gets its own DVR and content suggestions. PlayStation Vue allows for separate user profiles, too, but it makes you share one username and password. So this is a good one for families.

YouTube TV (continued)

11. Any other extras I should know about?

The big thing to know is that YouTube TV is not yet available nationwide. The service launched in five markets — Chicago, Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Philadelphia, and New York City — and expanded to 10 more: Houston, Dallas, Phoenix, Detroit, Miami, Orlando, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Washington, DC. The service has since expanded much more — check here to see if it's available where you live.

In our testing, YouTube TV has been the most consistent service when it comes to streaming quality. The interface can chug along at points, but hiccups and outright crashes have been rare.

One thing YouTube doesn't do all that well, however, is work in videos from YouTube proper. The notion of going from vlogs to live sporting events to fail videos, all within one smooth app, is still a fantasy.

5. Hulu with Live TV

1. How much does it cost?

It's $40 a month. Like YouTube TV, Hulu is looking to keep it simple and not split things up across several tiers of service. This is good and bad: It has one of the most expensive starting prices of the bunch — but arguably the most comprehensive channel package for an entry-level tier.

There are three add-on channels on top of the core package: HBO for $15 a month, Cinemax for $10 a month, or Showtime for $9 a month.

2. How many channels does it have?

More than 50, though the specific amount varies by region.

Hulu's trump card is that the Live TV package also includes the company's core on-demand service, which normally goes for $8 a month.

Either way, this means you have access to the all the on-demand content that comes with a Hulu subscription, plus all the original shows that Hulu produces.

Hulu is the youngest live-TV service here, but its support for the major local broadcast networks is impressive. It's still a ways off from Vue, which carries the most, but you have a better chance of getting live local channels here than with Sling or YouTube.

Hulu with Live TV (continued)

3. Which major channels are not included?

AMC is the biggest one. That means no 'The Walking Dead.' There's also no Viacom, again, so you can't watch Comedy Central, MTV, Spike, Nickelodeon, and so on. Starz and Discovery channels are absent as well.

The fact that Hulu bakes its standard service into the Live TV package gives it a little bit of cover, though. You can still watch AMC shows that are available as on-demand recordings on Hulu anyway, for example, but you can't watch the channel live.

And while Hulu's local channel support is good on the whole, only some people will be able to watch all four major networks live as they air. If you're in New York, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Chicago, you're all set. In other places, though, you may lose one or more.

Hulu has a useful channel-checking tool on its homepage, so be sure to use that.

4. Does it include ESPN?

Yes. ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNEWS, and ESPN U are all included.

5. What about local sports and non-ESPN sports networks?

Fox Sports 1 and 2, NBC Sports Network, and CBS Sports Network are there. There are no NFL- or MLB-specific channels, though.

Regional sports stations, per usual, are dependent on where you live. Hulu has signed deals with Comcast/NBC and Fox for several markets, but things can still be spotty.

6. What about HBO?

HBO is available as an add-on to one of the core bundles. It costs $15 a month on its own, the same as HBO's standalone HBO Now streaming service.

Hulu with Live TV (continued)

7. Which devices does it support?

Right now, Hulu with Live TV works on iOS, Android, Apple TV (fourth gen), Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, and Xbox One.

8. Does it have DVR so I can record shows I missed?

Yes. You get 50 hours of recording time. Your recordings aren't deleted after a set period of time, either. If you need more storage space, there's an Enhanced Cloud DVR add-on that raises your limit to 200 hours of storage time. That costs an extra $15 a month.

Like YouTube TV, Hulu doesn't let you can't fast-forward through commercials when you watch recordings with the base live-TV service. Here, though, that goes for both your DVR recordings and Hulu's on-demand recordings. It's pretty annoying!

Music zip files free download. To explain: Hulu with Live TV's DVR doesn't always act like a DVR. When it can, Hulu tries to replace shows you save with recordings that already exist in Hulu proper. Since Hulu proper's base tier still shows ads in those recordings, that's what you see here.

You can pay another $4 a month, however, and those ads will disappear. This is also the case with Hulu's regular streaming service.

To skip commercials in shows that are actually recorded on the DVR, you have to pay for the Enhanced Cloud DVR option ($15/month).

Hulu with Live TV (continued)

9. Can I pause and rewind live TV?

Yes. But the extent of the rewinding is dependent on what channel and program you're watching, and, again, whether you're in a commercial.

In some cases, you can scroll back to the beginning of a show even if you joined it midway through. With others, you can only skip back to the point where you first started watching.

10. How many people can use it at once?

The base subscription lets you watch the service on two screens simultaneously.

Hulu sells an Unlimited Screens add-on that lets you stream on as many devices as you want over a home internet connection, or up to three devices at once over a mobile connection. That also costs an extra $15 a month.

Hulu with Live TV (continued)

11. Any other extras I should know about?

You can combine the Enhanced Cloud DVR and Unlimited Screens add-ons for $20 a month. That saves $10, but it still raises the monthly cost a good amount.

On a higher level, Hulu with Live TV is the most ambitious of the current live-TV services, in both scope and design. Its interface is a radical departure from Hulu proper, so it may take some time to get used to. It is entirely focused on shows — there's not a channel grid in sight — and it relies heavily on algorithmically knowing which shows you're more likely to watch.

If you use Hulu proper, it also does well to blend the shows you've been watching into those recommendations. It nicely calls up episode you've started but not finished, too. And the dedicated My Channels tab — which cuts out every network you don't care about — works great.

If you want to just browse around, though, be prepared to do some swiping. The whole user interface is gorgeous, with big graphics and clean text everywhere, but it splits everything up into many, many cards and tabs. Simply getting to the DVR takes too long.

The search function could also use some fine-tuning. There were moments when searching for a particular show didn't bring up an episode that was airing live at that time, for instance.

Still, this is really the only service that successfully blends live TV with on-demand content. You can swipe to live shows specifically if you'd like, but by default your 'lineup' (the main menu) swirls on-demand, live shows, and DVR recordings together, centering them on what kind of thing you want to watch, rather than where they originate. That's significant, and it makes you less beholden to time than you are anywhere else. It's a new take on live TV that offers a fresh look at what the future of live TV services could look like.

Hulu is generally steady in terms of technical streaming quality, too, but it's not immune to the occasional stutter.

6. Fubo TV

1. How much does it cost?

Fubo costs $45 a month ($20 for the first month). Additionally, a handful of niche channel add-ons range from $3 a month to $15 a month.

2. How many channels does it have?

The main Fubo Premier service includes a little under 70 channels, but most are sports channels.

3. Which major channels are not included?

Fubo started out as a sort of streaming haven for soccer fans. It has raised millions to expand its horizons, but at its core, live sports of all kinds are still its bread and butter. Its current channel lineup reflects that.

Familiar names like NBC, Fox, FX, USA, and A&E are there, but there are no ABC/Disney channels, no Turner channels, no Viacom channels, and no AMC, among others (as of this writing). This is easily the weakest channel lineup for a general purpose audience.

Fubo's local network coverage isn't terrible for what it is, but those networks are generally available live only in major markets. Check the company's local network support list before you subscribe. Fubo says markets without live local broadcasts will get on-demand versions of shows from those networks after they air.

Fubo TV (continued)

4. Does it include ESPN?

Nope. This is what will eliminate Fubo TV for lots of people — it's a sports-focused streaming service without access to the country's biggest sports channel.

5. What about local sports and non-ESPN sports networks?

This is Fubo's whole value proposition at the moment. Fubo TV comes with a few niche sports channels that are typically unavailable or reserved for pricier tiers with rival services. Those include several BeIn Sports channels, NBA TV, Fox Soccer Plus, Fox Deportes, the Big Ten Network, and Eleven Sports. That's on top of NBC Sports Network, Fox Sports 1, and others like the Golf Channel.

Does everyone need those? Nope. But Fubo is going for who want to watch any and every sporting event on TV — particularly world soccer matches. The first thing you see when you open the app is a list of live and upcoming sporting events, with everything from baseball to darts to Australian-rules football highlighted. And its channel guide lists every sports channel above more-traditional stations.

Fubo also covers a decent amount of regional sports networks from Fox and Comcast/NBC, though, per usual, it doesn't have everything everywhere. That absence, along with its lack of ESPN and Turner channels, means it can't guarantee you'll be able to see all your team's games in a given season. But it does let you watch the regional sports networks you do get outside of your home network.

6. What about HBO?

No. You'll have to purchase HBO Now separately.

Fubo TV (continued)

7. What devices does it support?

Fubo says it supports Android, iOS, the web, Apple TV (fourth gen), Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and Chromecast. That leaves game consoles like the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One as the biggest absences.

This doesn't tell the whole story, though, as Fubo's service is limited on some platforms more than others. The Android tablet app, for instance, supports only vertical-display mode. The Roku and Apple TV apps support only live-TV viewing, while the Fire TV and Android TV apps do not have on-demand shows. That leaves the web, Chromecast, and Fubo's smartphone app as the only fully functional platforms.

8. Does it have DVR so I can record shows I missed?

Yes. Using a cloud DVR service, you can watch shows 'from desktop and other devices' after they've been recorded. It's limited to 30 hours, but there's no expiration date on anything you save. There's also an upgraded version that allows up to 500 hours of recording — it costs an extra $10 a month.

Beyond this, Fubo has a look-back feature that lets you watch select sports matches for up to three days after they air. The latter applies only to sporting events, though — shows from, say, Bravo or A&E aren't included. And again, it's available only on select platforms.

Fubo TV (continued)

9. Can I pause and rewind live TV?

With live TV, you can only pause. With on-demand shows, you can rewind and fast-forward.

10. How many people can use it at once?

Fubo says you can stream from two devices simultaneously.

11. Any other extras I should know about?

Fubo's lacking channel support makes it a tough sell for anyone who doesn't care about watching every soccer match imaginable. The four major sports leagues still air on larger channels that are either not here or available on other live TV services. The same goes for MLS and the Premier League, the most popular soccer leagues among Americans.

On the plus side, you can use a Fubo login to authenticate a few dozen network-specific streaming apps.

So which one should I get?

With Sony hiking the price of PlayStation Vue in most markets, YouTube TV expanding to more regions, and the continued improvements to Hulu and DirecTV Now, saying which live-TV service is 'best' has become a bit more complicated.

The truth is there's no obvious winner — you have to assess the info, use those free trials, and see which one best fits your needs and price range.

• Still, in a vacuum, we think PlayStation Vue remains the most fully formed cable replacement. It has streamed smoothly in our testing. It's simple enough to navigate. It has no issues with device support. It lets you stream to the most devices at once — making it good for families — and you can use its login to sign into several outside streaming apps. Its channel lineup, while not flawless, compares favorably with its peers, and it supports the most local networks overall. Its DVR is relatively generous, too, and it's not terribly restrictive about letting you pause and rewind live TV.

But there's no denying that $40 a month isn't very cheap. The limitations Vue still puts on some networks when you're on the go are a pain, too.

Best Streaming Tv Device

• If you're in one of the markets where YouTube TV is available, it might be your best bet instead. Its nine-month DVR is the most spacious you can buy, it has the big four networks in all but one market, and it streams smoothly. If it could integrate with YouTube proper in any meaningful way, it could be something special.

Its ad-skipping annoyances are nearly as frustrating as Hulu's, though, and it still omits channels that some people may need. Worse, it makes you use a Chromecast or AirPlay just to watch things on a TV. But if YouTube can expand its device support and make its way to more markets, it has a shot of cutting out any advantage Vue has.

• Conceptually, Hulu has the most compelling offering. The way it blends live and on-demand shows into one feels like the first step in where these services should go. It's also pleasant to look at. And if you're already a heavy Hulu user, it makes the most sense.

But the inability to skip commercials anywhere without paying extra is rough, and its interface, while attractive, can get clunky. It also charges too much for the kind of DVR space that comes standard with Vue and YouTube. It doesn't work on a web browser, either.

• If you just want the cheapest package possible, Sling TV's Blue service is competitively priced for a bundle with regional sports. Its revamped interface is much easier to get around, too. But its local channel support is still lacking, it sacrifices ESPN, and its DVR is limited. Still, it's getting at a good idea by curating tightly and lowering costs.

• It's harder to recommend DirecTV Now right now given its lack of DVR and history of technical hiccups. But if you use AT&T, being able to stream it on mobile at no cost to your data cap is an advantage — as troubling as it may be. It's a no-brainer if you plan to subscribe to AT&T's unlimited data plan. AT&T is beefing up its local channel support and promising useful updates for the future, too, so it'll most likely improve.

• Fubo TV is a non-starter unless you're really into world soccer and niche sporting events.

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Finally, a quick reminder of what these services are not.

As we've noted before, none of the above live-TV services is solving the cord-cutter's conundrum: Getting the shows you want, on time, whenever and wherever you want, without paying more than you have to for channels you'll never watch.

In other words, all of these services still look a lot like cable packages — they're just smaller cable packages, delivered over the internet, with slightly lower starting prices. The major networks are still in the driver's seat.

There are other issues:

• The on-demand selection is similar in every service, and almost exactly like what you'd get with a cable subscription.

• In most cases, on-demand and live content still feel stuck in separate silos.

• They all have gaps in channel selection. (This excellent CNET list has a full breakdown.)

• They usually won't let you fast-forward through every show.

• You'll still face blackouts with some sporting events.

• And most significantly, they've all had bugs and technical issues.

Today, if you're looking for cable, you should just buy cable. It's reliable.

That said, here's what you do get from these services.

Though all these services can have their technical hiccups, they're not unusable. Their interfaces are, in general, clean and easy enough to navigate.

And when they work, they have value for those who can't quit the cord. They cover gaps that a hodgepodge of Netflix, Hulu, and insular streaming services can't — most notably with sports, and just straight up watching popular shows as they air.

As more cords are cut, they should make more sense. And even if they don't take a wrecking ball to the TV industry's current power structure, they all should improve through competition for your attention (and dollars).

Nobody has cracked the code just yet.

Nothing here is truly groundbreaking. The way the cable and TV industries are set up in America makes it so adding one of these services to your internet bill may not save much money in the first place. And cable is arguably a more complete product overall.

If you aren't beholden to the 'cable lite' idea most of these services are selling, you may be better off saving your cash and mixing Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Now, and the like.

Best Streaming Tv Service 2018 Comparison Chart

For now, growing pains remain throughout. That's unlikely to change until structures that hold the TV industry in place crumble completely. But it may not be long until that day comes.

SEE ALSO:I tried cutting the cord with Sling TV for a month — here's why I returned to cable

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