Everyone loves a deal. When it comes to streaming TV without a cable, it's not only important to find the best, most affordable package for you, but the right bundle that offers live sports, entertainment, news, movies and television shows, as well as other top features. After all, you want the strongest overall deal when it comes to bundle options.
Sports fans will demand they have the best TV package when it comes to the amount of live and on-demand sports a service provides, whereas movie buffs will want the latest films and cinema classics to pick from, with kids and other family members wanting their demands met too.
All in all, everyone might want something different when it comes to picking their perfect streaming bundle, but which one should you go for?
The choices out there can be overwhelming, with dozens of pricing plans available from various providers such as fubo, Sling TV, YouTube TV and DIRECTV, each offering up a variety of streaming bundles, subscription options and different tiered packages based on how much sports and entertainment you want at the touch of your remote.
But there's no need to worry, because GOAL is here to walk you through the top providers on the market and address the big question you have, such as who carries the most live sports, who can offer the most channels, and who can give you everything you want for the best price.
READ MORE: How to get a fubo free trial
The competition
When it comes to the best streaming bundles out there, potential customers need to know about what their options are when it comes to a streaming service. The big names on the streaming provider scene can offer many things, such as affordable subscriptions, extensive live and on-demand sports coverage, as well as a host of entertainment such as live channels, news, general entertainment, movies and TV shows. Each offers something slightly different though, so finding the best fit for you - whether you need to see as much NFL coverage as possible, or catch all the big games and action from Major Soccer League (MSL) or the English Premier League (EPL).
What is fubo?
Fubo
Fubo is one of the stronger choices of the OTT streaming providers, offering hundreds of channels, plenty of customizable add-ons, and more live sports than you'll physically have time to consume.
Across fubo's extensive range of channel options, there's something for everyone, especially where live sports are concerned. With channels showcasing all sorts of sports, including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA, Nascar, F1, as well as regional and international sports competitions, all your bases are covered. Fubo also boasts lots of soccer, specifically the English Premier League, Major League Soccer (MLS), Italy's Serie A, and France's Ligue 1.
What is Sling TV?
Sling TV
Sling TV is the most wallet-friendly OTT streaming provider available, offering lower prices for a budget service providing all sorts of live TV and OD content, across dozens of channels that air sports, entertainment, lifestyle, news and current affairs.
What is YouTube TV?
YTTV
YouTube TV, or YTTV for short, is the popular video streaming website's television offerings for subscribers. The brand aims to compete with the established providers out there, like fubo and DIRECTV, offering over 100 channels, including live sports, news, and entertainment. And for what it's worth, YTTV has a strong and competitive package which is why it's a popular choice with today's generation of streamers and sports lovers.
READ MORE: Fubo versus YouTube TV, which is best?
What is DIRECTV?
DIRECTV is known for giving subscribers digital satellite, streaming (DIRECTV Stream), and linear television (traditional scheduled programming) options. It offers one of the largest packages o the streaming landscape, taking the streaming wars battle to fubo's doorstep.
Digital satellite is their main service, with plenty of plans to watch the masses of content available through multiple subscription options via their dedicated DIRECTV Stream service. The provider offers streaming trials, a streaming library, as well as a variety of plans and streaming deals.
Sports channels available
Each provider offers a wide variety of sports channels, which includes live sports events, like UEFA Champions League, La Liga, or extensive coverage of Major League Baseball (MLB). Each provider has different packages which, in turn, gives you access to different levels of coverage. It really can be a minefield finding the provider that gives you exactly what you want to watch.
Below are the top sports channels you get with each an what sports you can expect to see as a result.
| Provider | Top channels |
|---|---|
| Fubo | FS1, FS2, NBC, CBS, beIN Sports, ESPN/2/U, F1 Channel, NBA TV, NHL Network, NFL RedZone, MLB Network/StrikeZone/Big Inning, Fight Network |
| Sling TV | ESPN/2/3, FS1, USA, NFL Network, TNT, TBS, ION |
| YTTV | ESPN/2/U/News, NBA TV, SEC Network, FS1/2, MSNBC Golf, NFL Network |
| DIRECTV Stream | ESPN/2, FS1, MLB Network, Golf Channel, NBA TV, Big Ten Network, NHL Network, CBS, TUDN |
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Entertainment channels available
Apart from sports-yes, there are other things to watch, honest–subscribers may want to indulge in lots of other things, from cooking shows, to science programs, to quiz shows, and of course bingeing television shows and doing movie marathons. So here are some of the top channels each provider has so you can do these.
| Provider | Top channels |
|---|---|
| Fubo | Bloomberg Television, Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, SYFY, Bravo, Comedy Central, MTV, Universal Movies, Hallmark Channel, Nat Geo, QVC, VH1 |
| Sling TV | AMC, Comedy Central, CNN, Food Network, History, ID, TLC, E!, Lifetime, Vice |
| YTTV | American Crimes, Adult Swim, Comedy Central, Disney, Hallmark, MTV, Paramount Network, TBS, TNT |
| DIRECTV Stream | AMC, Animal Planet, BBC America, Bob Ross, Comedy Central, Food Network, FX, History, ION, ID, MTV, SYFY, TBS, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, UniMas, Universo, USA Network, VH1 |
MTV
Add-ons
Finding the ideal subscription plan is one part of the job done. Adding on any extras, which can vary from further sports, to additional channels, to even more movies and shows option, is also important. Here are some of the best sports add-ons, followed by top choices for entertainment add-ons too.
Sports add-ons
| Provider | What you get | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| Fubo | MLB.TV DAZN NBA League Pass Sports Plus with NFL RedZone International Sports Plus | $29.99 $29.99 $16.99 $10.99 $6.99 |
| Sling TV | MLB.TV NBA League Pass ViX Premium | $29.99 $16.99 $8.99 |
| YTTV | NFL RedZone with Sports Plus | $10.99 |
| DIRECTV Stream | MLS Season Pass Sports Pack | $14.99 $14.99 |
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READ MORE: Fubo channel guide: A full list of everything you get
Entertainment add-ons
| Provider | What you get | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| Fubo | Paramount+ with SHOWTIME STARZ MGM+ Paramount+ with SHOWTIME + STARZ + MGM+ | $10.99 $10.99 $6.99 $19.99 |
| Sling TV | HBO MAX CINEMAX Paramount+ with SHOWTIME | $16.99 $10 $10 |
| YTTV | Entertainment Plus (HBO MAX, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, STARZ | $29.99 |
| DIRECTV Stream | AMC+ Peacock discovery+ | $7.99 $4.99 $5.99 |
Paramount+
Subscription prices
Once you've established which provider gives you what you want, it's time to assess the costs. The prices do vary wildly, mainly due to the channel selection on offer, with some providers offering hassle-free, no contract sign-ups, while others tie you in for the long-term.
| Provider | Channels | Monthly cost | Simultaneous streams | Contract length | Cloud DVR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fubo | Pro Elite Latino | $84.99 $94.99 $14.99 | 10 10 Two | None, monthly rolling | Unlimited |
| Sling TV | Orange Blue Orange & Blue | $45.99 $50.99 $65.99 | One to Four | None, monthly rolling | 50 hours |
| YTTV | Base Plan | $82.99 | Three | None, monthly rolling | Unlimited |
| DIRECTV Stream | Entertainment Choice Ultimate Premier | $79.99 $59.99 $84.99 $124.99 | 10 at home, Three-on-the-go | 24 months | Unlimited |
fubo
Which streaming bundle should I go for?
Honestly, it really depends on which provider appears to give you most, if not all, of what you want from a streaming package. We've guided you through each of the big four so to speak, showing what they can give to a new subscriber, the channels and coverage they have, the prices and benefits, so now it's up to you.
Cost-wise, if you're after something at the lower end of the scale that won't break the bank, then Sling TV is the most budget friendly option. That said, it is the cheapest for a reason. The channels are limited to under 60, with but a few sports channels unless you opt in to add-on packs which will increase that wallet-friendly cost.
At the other end of the scale, DIRECTV offers hundreds of channels but at a cost: one that's several times the price of Sling. While this will give you all the sports and choice of entertainment channels you'll ever need, it comes at a hefty price.
YTTV is more of a middle ground choice, with over a hundred channels for just under $100. A popular choice with people, largely because of the streamlined package and brand recognition.
READ MORE: Which streaming services offer free trials?
Our pick
However, for an all-round pick, Fubo merges the best of each of the other three providers to give you something pleasing. Firstly, it has two simple packages choices, each boasting several hundred channels. Their sports coverage is as strong as anyone elses, with dozens of sports channels of the best events. And its price, even at the top-end, is way cheaper than DIRECTV and competitive with YTTV, bit has much more for your buck.
fubo