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Best Sports Streaming Services 2024
This post was written in partnership with Sling TV.
Today, there's more than just your traditional cable service contract to watch sports on TV. While streaming services have some overlapping channels and a lot of similar features, when it comes to the sports you need access to, there will always be certain options that offer more than others based on your preferences. With plenty to choose from to watch the big game, we've made it just a bit easier to make your decision.
Say you've moved away from your home town and need access to a local game for the Sacramento Kings. Finding a sports streaming service with RSN's will be your best bet. Services that stream live sports provide fans with more flexibility to keep an eye on how their favorite teams do night in and night out. On top of this, the option to watch major events on multiple devices is great for fans who can’t always be home when their team is playing.
Signing up for a live TV streaming package is simple and risk-free because you can cancel your subscription at any time. Subscribers can also tailor their plan to specific needs and interests by selecting from various package options and add-on channels such as NBA TV, the SEC Network, and many others.
How we tested the best sports streaming services
When evaluating the best sports streaming services, we reviewed multiple platforms based on their top benefits. We took into account several features like cost, DVR storage, sports-related add-ons and free-trial offers. We then assessed even more factors for sports fans, including the variety of sports and league coverage, local and national sports channel availability and regional sports network offerings.
Top sports streaming services
- Best on a budget: Sling TV
- Best for major sports channels and RSNs: DIRECTV STREAM
- Best for comprehensive sports coverage: Fubo
- Best for live sports and on-demand content: Hulu + Live TV
- Best for watching NFL games: YouTube TV
Best on a budget: Sling TV (Preferred service)
About Sling TV
Sling TV is one of the most affordable live TV streaming services, making it ideal for streamers on a budget. Sling TV offers three plans: Orange ($40 per month), Blue ($40 per month) and Orange & Blue ($55 per month). Sling TV is known to run great deals, like their current one of $40 off your first 4 months when you pre-pay at sign up.
If you’re hoping to keep local channels like Fox or ABC, you’ll have to upgrade either to the Blue plan or Orange & Blue plan. Also, it’s important to note that the Orange plan is the most basic package offering and its sports coverage is limited to TNT, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN3. Blue subscribers get access to FS1, NFL Network and TNT and the Orange & Blue plan combines the two and offers a lot of options for sports fans. Luckily, Sling TV offers several add-ons to bolster the channels included in each plan, including a Sports Extra package starting at $11 per month.
Why Sling made the list
The Sports Extra package offers a wide variety of networks to fill out any sports fan’s viewing experience, but those offerings vary depending on your base package. For example, the Sling Orange Sports Extra add-on is $11 per month and includes 10-plus channels, including the ACC Network, ACCNX, beIN SPORTS, ESPNews, ESPNU, the Longhorn Network, MLB Network, MLB Network Strike Zone, NBA TV, NHL Network, Pac-12 Network, Tennis Channel, SEC Network and SEC Network Plus.
Also, for $11/month, Sling Blue’s Sports Extra add-on allows subscribers access to even more sports channels. The list includes the Big Ten Network, beIN SPORTS, FS2, Golf Channel, MLB Network, MLB Network Strike Zone, NBA TV, NFL RedZone, NHL Network, Pac-12 Network and the Tennis Channel.
Best for major sports channels and RSNs: DIRECTV STREAM
- Robust channel lineup
- Unlimited DVR cloud storage
- Extensive regional sports network selection
About DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV STREAM is the live streaming counterpart to DIRECTV’s satellite TV offering. Packages start at $79.99 per month for the Entertainment plan, which includes more than 75 channels. You can upgrade to 105-plus channels with the Choice plan for $108.99 per month, 140-plus channels with the Ultimate plan for $119.99 per month and 150-plus channels with the Premier plan for $164.99 per month. An Óptimo Más plan with more than 100 channels is available to Spanish-speaking viewers for $79.99 per month.
Every DIRECTV STREAM package includes something for sports fans to watch. All English packages include local networks like ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox and favorites like ESPN, ESPN2, Fox Sports 1, TBS and TNT. Keep up with major sports events like The World Cup, The College Football Playoff and NBA Finals with ease. All DIRECTV STREAM subscriptions come with unlimited cloud DVR storage, which stores your recordings securely for up to nine months. Just be aware that even though it is advertised as unlimited, if you’re watching a series – like “30 for 30” – you can only store up to 30 episodes.
Why DIRECTV STREAM made the list
Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) are sports-related channels specific to a local market or geographical region. DIRECTV STREAM stands out compared to its rivals thanks to the wide availability of RSNs. This option is perfect for fans of local teams who want to soak up every minute of action. To access RSNs, subscribers must upgrade to the Choice, Ultimate and Premier packages. However, DIRECTV STREAM does not impose a regional sports fee like some competitors, making it much easier for fans to keep up with their home teams.
Team Game Tiles are another neat feature addition, allowing users to see the latest scores without repeatedly flipping between channels. Throughout the season, with the push of a button, you can have all of your team's games saved for future viewings with Team Recordings. Games automatically record using auto extensions when they go into extra innings or overtime.
Best for comprehensive sports coverage: Fubo
- 160+ channels available
- Unlimited simultaneous streams on up to 10 supported devices at home
- Local and international sports coverage, as well as add-on sports package options
About Fubo
Fubo is a streaming TV service that offers more than 169 channels and an extensive on-demand library. The Fubo Pro package, which includes 160+ channels and costs $74.99 per month, is the lowest-priced of the four channel bundles. The $84.99 per month Elite plan includes 244 channels and 130+ events in 4K, while the Ultimate package at $94.99 per month offers more than 288 channels and News Plus for an extra 12 channels. With Ultimate, you also get premium channel access to SHOWTIME. Finally, the Latino plan offers 57 channels for $32.99 per month, with coverage of more than 100 sporting events.
If you’re interested in add-ons for base plans to make your sports viewing more comprehensive, you’ll be paying a higher monthly price for access. Fubo’s premium sports add-ons include MLB.TV ($24.99 per month), Sports Plus with NFL RedZone ($10.99 per month), International Sports Plus ($6.99 per month), NBA League Pass ($14.99 per month), Sports Lite ($9.99 per month) and Adventure Plus ($4.99 per month). Be sure to check your base plan offerings and which sports add-ons would be the best fit based on your viewing needs.
Why Fubo made the list
Fubo launched in 2015 with a primary focus on soccer, and the service has continued to thrive in the sports space. The NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL are just a few of the professional leagues available on the streaming service, along with a wide variety of college sports from the Southeastern Conference, Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten Conference and Pac-12 Conference on both their respective networks and the ESPN family of channels. And via add-ons, football is still a strength of the streaming service. Live coverage of top-tier soccer and the biggest tournaments is available on International Sports Plus.
Best for both live sports and on-demand content: Hulu + Live TV
About Hulu + Live TV
One of the most widely used services for livestreaming is Hulu + Live TV. The streamer includes more than 90 live TV channels, and it costs $76.99 per month for the ad-supported version, which also includes unlimited DVR storage and access to the on-demand library. Your package also includes Disney Plus and ESPN Plus at no additional cost. A commercial-free version is available for $89.99 per month, providing viewers with offline access to their favorite shows and movies.
Hulu's on-demand library features thousands of popular movies, TV shows and originals like "The Great," "The Handmaid's Tale" and "Only Murders in the Building." Hulu adds new episodes of popular TV shows within 24 hours of their initial airing, and you can watch them offline or on the go with the Hulu app. Hulu's viewers need not worry about missing their favorite shows or games because the service offers free, unlimited DVR storage. There is a limit of only two streams per household, so if other members stream simultaneously, you might miss out on the action. Unfortunately, Hulu doesn't offer a trial period for any of its live TV packages, but you can cancel your subscription at no extra cost.
Why Hulu + Live TV made the list
NBA games are broadcasted on several Hulu + Live TV channels, including ABC, ESPN and TNT, allowing subscribers to watch a wide selection of games, NBA Playoffs and NBA Finals. The packages include a limited number of regional sports networks, which can vary by location, but fans can still follow their local NBA teams.
Hulu + Live TV plans also include the NCAA Basketball Tournament – better known as March Madness – on CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. The NCAA March Madness hub in the Hulu app and on Hulu’s website provides access to live games and a schedule of upcoming matches for both men's and women's college basketball. If you are already watching a game live, you can use the guide to see which other games will be broadcast on the respective channels and to switch between them.
Best for watching NFL games: YouTube TV
About YouTube TV
With its extensive programming library, YouTube TV can effectively replace a traditional cable subscription. For just $72.99 a month, you can watch 100+ of the best live TV channels, including all your favorite sports, news and entertainment shows. Local channels like ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC, as well as CNN, BBC America, PBS and MSNBC, are all part of the comprehensive channel lineup.
Additionally, YouTube TV allows up to three simultaneous streams, six individual user accounts with personalized recommendations and unlimited DVR storage. Plus, if you’re on the fence about subscribing, YouTube TV offers a free trial so you can try the service before signing up, but the exact length of time will depend on the specifics of the current promotion.
Why YouTube TV made the list
The best live TV streaming service for NFL fans is YouTube TV, as it’s the only streaming service to offer all of the channels that air NFL games (ABC, CBS, ESPN, Fox, NBC and NFL Network) and, starting in Fall 2023, the beloved NFL Sunday Ticket.
For an even more immersive viewing experience, subscribers can bundle the NFL RedZone Channel with NFL Sunday Ticket. From game to game, viewers can watch "red zone" plays, in which a team is within 20 yards of the end zone. NFL RedZone is also available as part of the Sports Plus add-on for an extra $10.99 per month, along with beIN SPORTS, Billiard TV, Fox Soccer Plus, MAVTV Motorsports Network, Outside TV, PlayersTV, PokerGO, SportsGrid, Stadium, FanDuel TV, VSiN, Fight Network and Impact Wrestling.
YouTube TV also has superior mobile app features to keep fans engaged. By connecting their fantasy football account with the app, users can monitor their team and league stats in real time during NFL games. The Key Plays feature on YouTube TV summarizes the game's most important moments, while the Stats View feature lets viewers keep tabs on their favorite teams and players' performances throughout the game.
Final thoughts on sports streaming services
Before committing to a service, check to see if it offers the sports coverage you want. If you want a basic sports package, there are options out there for you. However, if you're willing to spring for value-packed add-ons, that's where the best live TV streaming services shine.
Typically, the best streaming services for sports include multiple sports across both national and regional channels. However, if you're devoted to one league, options are available to get you the content you’re most interested in. There are other underrated factors to consider as well, like picture quality or simultaneous streams. For example, a service like Fubo offers 4K resolution for optimal viewing, and it’s also one of the services that has unlimited simultaneous streams on up to 10 devices. This feature is critical if you live in a house divided by sports fandoms.
FAQ
Is Fubo or Hulu better for sports?
Hulu is fantastic for its variety of professional and college sports channels, and is a must-have when March Madness rolls around. Fubo, however, has a diverse selection of both domestic and international sports networks.
Can I stream all live sports?
Blackout rules and exclusive streaming contracts can make it difficult to watch live sports online. The good news is that several live sports streaming services offer a substantial mix of national, regional, international and out-of-market games.
What streaming service has the most sports channels?
Fubo is well-known for its extensive range of foreign and domestic sports channels. The only caveat is the absence of TBS and TNT, which are favorites for basketball fans.
