The Best Streaming Services for Dramas

Flosports is a streaming service that provides easy access to live-stream broadcasts of more than 20 different sports, including basketball, baseball, volleyball, rugby, hockey, swimming, and motorsports (many of them collegiate). The breadth of options makes Flosports a popular option among sports fans, but users have noted some hiccups with the service, including inconsistent quality since it uses feeds from different networks, many of which are stationary and commentary-less. And though most of the games are available as on-demand replays, they can be difficult to find. That said, a lot of other users stay because Flosports airs games they wouldn’t be able to watch otherwise, so if your team or area is covered, it’s certainly worth considering. A subscription costs $30/month or $150/year, and it’s compatible with most smart TVs and mobile devices.

Tablo TV is a free live TV streaming service that lets you watch local channels like ABC, NBC, FOX, and CBS, as well as 70 fast channels, including HSN, ION, Grit, MeTV, and CourtTV. It’s exclusively available to those with a Tablo device—the latest already comes with a built-in indoor antenna—which itself requires a one-time payment of about $70 to $130, depending on what version you get. It’s free in the sense that you don’t have to pay a monthly subscription fee, as you would on usual live TV streaming services since it streams channels that are already airing for free via broadcast towers near you. A Tablo device lets you watch Tablo TV on up to 4 devices connected to your home Wi-fi and record shows while watching a different channel. If you’re on the go, you can also control the DVR via the Tablo TV app. You can download the app on all major smart TVs and mobile devices.

If you use the online platform +play, which is available exclusively and for free to Verizon users, you’re eligible for a 6-month ad-free AMC+ subscription at no additional cost. This gives you access to AMC titles past and present (including Mad Men, Happy Valley, Better Call Saul, The Walking Dead, and all its spin-offs), as well as Sundance, Shudder, and IFC properties. You can also watch up to six live channels, including AMC, BBC America, IFC, and Sundance TV. This Verizon bundle is available until the end of the year, after which, you’re charged the regular price of $9/month ($5/month if with ads) unless canceled. The deal is only available to new AMC+ subscribers. Prices of eligible Verizon plans start at $30/month.

Sling TV has always been the affordable live TV option, but in case you’re looking for something more premium, you’ll be happy to know that the platform is now offering Max as an add-on for $17/month, on top of your base Sling TV subscription. That would mean $57/month if you’re a Sling Orange user, but for Blue and Orange + Blue users, Sling offers discounted packages: you can get Sling Blue with Max for just $51.99/month, or Sling Blue + Orange with Max for just $66.99/month, saving you $5/month. These bundles are perfect if you want to combine the accessibility of local news and sports coverage with the entertainment value of a heavyweight streamer like Max. It comes with HBO shows like Game of Thrones and Succession; WB classics like Friends and the Big Bang Theory; blockbusters like Harry Potter and Barbie; and of course, on-demand content from sister channels like HGTV, TLC, CNN, and TCM. If you purchase the Sling + Max bundle, you’ll also have access to the following HBO channels: HBO East, HBO West, HBO 2, HBO Signature, HBO Family, HBO Latino, HBO Zone, and HBO Comedy. Lastly, you can access the Max app separately using your Sling credentials.

Spectrum SportsNet+ is a subscription plan available exclusively on the NBA app or website. It’s a 24/7 digital stream that lets you watch all the Lakers content you get on the Spectrum SportsNet channel, which means access to live games of the current season, pre-game and post-game shows, replays, and even Lakers documentaries and programs. If you have access to the channel via cable or a live TV streaming service, or if you have a Spectrum mobile or internet plan, then you can use your credentials to log into Spectrum SportsNet+. If you don’t, then you’ll have to purchase it on the NBA app. A subscription to Spectrum SportsNet+ costs $20 monthly, which you can cancel anytime, or $195 annually, which renews every September. Though Spectrum SportsNet+ is only offered to those living in Southern California, Hawaii, and parts of Southern Nevada, subscribers can watch the app live and on-demand when they travel outside of the territory (at least for 30 days). Sadly, Spectrum SportsNet+content cannot be DVR’d at the moment.

DirecTV is known for its comprehensive but pricey live TV packages, but now it’s offering something a little more accessible in the form of MyFree DirecTV. DirecTV’s newest service is completely free (they don’t even ask for your credit card details) and airs channels like Dove TV, Tastemade, Moviesphere, Live Tennis, Sports Grid, Design TV, Court TV, and more. You don’t have to be a DirecTV customer to access it, but you do need to create an account using an email address and download the DirecTV app on your preferred device. The app works fine on major streaming devices, including mobiles and TVs powered by Android and Apple. For now, MyFree DirecTV has a total of 70 free channels, but it’s announced more channels are on the way as it finalizes partnerships with studios like A&E, Fox, and Lionsgate.

The Now Xfinity StreamSaver is currently the biggest streaming bundle Xfinity has to offer. It combines Netflix with ads ($6.99/month), Peacock Premium with ads ($7.99/month), AppleTV+ ($9.99/month), and Now TV with 125+ live channels ($20/month), all for just $30/month. It’s only available to Xfinity postpaid internet subscribers at the moment, and even then among select markets. Since the lowest Xfinity plan goes for $20/month at the moment, total bundle prices start at $50/month. You can read more about NowTV in this explainer.

If your T-Mobile’s Go5G Next plan is starting to weigh your wallet down, you might be happy to know that at least now the $100/month phone plan offers Hulu with ads (normally $9.99/month) at no additional cost. This is on top of the free Netflix and Apple TV+ Go5G Next users already get to enjoy. If you have an existing Hulu subscription, you’ll have to cancel it and redeem your free subscription via T-Mobile’s promotions portal. Note that T-Mobile only provides Hulu’s standard with ads plan for free, so you’ll have to shell out if you want to upgrade your Hulu plan.