Cutting the cable cord doesn’t mean missing out on live TV. With NHTC’s advanced fiber internet, you can stream live TV seamlessly through platforms like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV. These options offer a range of channels, including local networks, sports, and on-demand content, all without the hassle of a cable box or a hefty subscription fee.
Dive into the benefits of each platform below to find the best fit for your entertainment needs and budget.
- YouTube TV
We start with YouTube TV. YouTube first rose to fame for its endless supply of user-created video content, but YouTube TV is a bit different. It offers live and on-demand content with over 100 channels in its base plan alone. With a YouTube TV subscription, you can watch live TV from local networks (in many zip codes) like ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox, as well as local PBS affiliates.
Diehard sport fans will want to check out YouTube TV, too, as the platform offers package upgrades to add many sports channels. Most significantly, as of 2023, YouTube TV is the only home for NFL Sunday Ticket, an add-on service many dedicated football followers won’t want to miss.
YouTube TV also allows up to three simultaneous streams and includes a DVR that lets you record and watch content for nine months. When it’s all added up, YouTube TV will prove to be many customers’ top choice for a live streaming TV platform, as it offers more premium channels in its lineup than other options and a range of quality features. Keep in mind, however, that it can be more costly than other services, especially once the initial sign-up deals and incentives expire.
- Hulu + Live TV
Next, we recommend Hulu + Live TV as another solid all-around live TV platform. While not quite as well laden with channel offerings as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV does include more than 95 live TV channels, which may be more than sufficient for most people. What makes Hulu + Live TV stand out among the competition, however, is that in addition to its many live TV channel offerings, it also simultaneously includes a substantial library of on-demand content.
That means Hulu + Live TV subscribers have access to a massive swath of on-demand content that other platforms just don’t have, including Hulu’s self-produced titles like the acclaimed dystopian drama The Handmaid’s Tale and the dark comedy Only Murders in the Building. Disney+ and ESPN+ are also included in its deal as well, providing additional quality content and value for many families.
And like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV also comes with an unlimited DVR (no hardware needed), which is a significant benefit for streamers who want to record and watch their shows after they air. Altogether, Hulu + Live TV may provide the best overall option for cord cutters, but again, it can prove to be a more expensive choice.
- Sling TV
If you’re looking to save some money and don’t need as many channels or features in a live TV app, don’t sleep on Sling TV! Sling TV offers three packages: the Sling Blue, Sling Orange and Sling Orange + Blue. Each Sling package contains a variety of channels catering to different viewing needs and preferences.
As of this writing, Sling Blue clocks in at 42 channels (but without Disney and ESPN and other sports content) while Sling Orange totals 34 channels (including CNN, Disney, ESPN and additional sports content, but not other channels such as Fox News, MSNBC, Discovery, TLC, and USA). You can get all 46 of Sling TV’s channel offerings through its Orange + Blue plan.
On the other hand, Sling TV’s DVR is far smaller (up to only 50 hours) than either YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV’s unlimited cloud-based DVRs. Sling TV’s overall channel lineup is also more limited, even if you select the combo package (Sling Orange + Blue).
Of course, there are other streaming live TV options to consider as well, including DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo TV, and Philo. Each is worth checking out and has unique advantages and disadvantages, too. To discover more streaming options, as well as streaming device options, visit NHTC’s website. Regardless of your choice, rest assured that with any live streaming TV platform, along with NHTC’s exceptional fiber internet, you’ll enjoy live streaming TV just as you did with cable. And check out NHTC’s social pages to learn more about our fiber network!