I often hear people say that streaming has become just like cable, but I disagree. First, there have never been more ways to watch completely for free, thanks to services like Tubi and Pluto. Even the Super Bowl was streamed for free. Second, there are cord-cutting services working hard to keep prices in check—even while offering premium live TV channels like ESPN.
That’s why I always say the key to keeping streaming affordable isn’t subscribing to the cheapest plan, but subscribing to only one service at a time. All of these streaming platforms can be canceled without notice. So get whichever one you need, cancel it when you're done, and then move on to the next.
Here are some of the most affordable for live TV:
- Sling Orange is the cheapest for premium channels like ESPN
- Sling Blue is the cheapest for local channels
- DirecTV Stream is the cheapest for regional sports networks (RSNs) + ESPN + FOX
- Philo is the cheapest for general live TV
There are also completely free streaming services, which I cover in detail in this list.
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How we picked these streaming services
When thinking about the cheapest streaming services, we're thinking about two things: 1- which are cheap in the absolute sense of things, so the completely free streaming services take the trophy here, and 2- which offer good value for the price. For example, Sling Orange might not be objectively the cheapest streaming offer but it is the cheapest way to get ESPN, which is the most watched sports channel in the US.
Another great example is Frndly TV. It's not free but it costs less than a cinema ticket, and you get coveted channels like Lifetime and Hallmark.
In making this list, I tried to include the affordable options for each cord-cutting need.
The absolute cheapest way to get live TV might be an antenna + free streaming services
Depending on where you live, a good old antenna can get you a wealth of channels and sports coverage. I'm going to sound like I'm writing from 1995, but you have two options: an indoor antenna or an outdoor antenna. For the indoor, you can get the usual rabbit ears or loop antenna. You can order one online or grab one at Walmart, Target, or Best Buy. For the outdoor, one of the most reliable is the ClearStream 1 Max, which you can order online as well.
Of course, if you have a smart TV or a streaming stick, it would be easy to combine the antenna with any of the free streaming services we mentioned in the list.
What is the cheapest live TV streaming service for sports channels?
The most affordable streaming service for sports viewing is Sling TV. Out of its two available plans, Sling Orange has the most coverage since it carries ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3, but Sling Blue is also a formidable option as it carries NFL Network and FS1. Each costs around $45.99/month and only $60.99 together as Sling Orange + Blue. These channels may be enough for casual sports fans, but if you're looking for more, you can always pay extra for the sports bundle and add up to 11 more sports channels in your lineup.
What is the cheapest live TV streaming service for news channels?
For news, Sling still offers a pretty good deal with the $45.99 Blue, which has MSNBC, CNN, Bloomberg Television, and Fox News. You can also pay an extra $6 for the news bundle, which gives you access to nine more channels including BBC World News and CNBC. But if you're looking for an even cheaper option, Philo should do. For $25/month, it gives you access to BBC America, BBC World News, and Cheddar News.
What is the cheapest live TV streaming service with local channels?
While YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream have great offers in this regard, the cheapest live TV streamer with local channels is Paramount+, which offers CBS affiliate channels in most markets for only $9.99. If you want more information on accessing local channels on live TV, we wrote a dedicated article on the topic.
What is the cheapest Youtube TV Alternative?
Again, YouTube TV is a great and comprehensive option for cord-cutters, but with the monthly price now at $83, it's understandable to look at alternatives. The cheapest YouTube TV alternatives are Sling TV ($45.99), Philo ($28), and Frndly TV ($6).
What are the cheapest cord-cutting bundles?
The cheapest streaming bundle is probably the Disney+ Bundle Trio (Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+) for $14.99. Another option is the new the Xfinity Now TV "Streamsaver" bundle for $55.
Which live TV streaming services are completely free?
Plenty of live TV streaming services are completely, wholly, and no-strings-attached free. The most popular three are Tubi and PlutoTV.