With current events like the Summer Olympics going on and big seasons, like the NFL and NBA, making their return sooner than you may think, it's never been a better time to get a sports streaming service. Streaming services originated as an alternative to complicated cable contracts. However, as cord cutting has grown, navigating the world of content streaming has become more and more complicated. With so many services available, it can be difficult to find one with the channels you're looking for, within your budget, with features that make it convenient.
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It would be a shame to shell out the money for a streaming service only to find out that it doesn't have everything you need to watch your favorite team in the college football playoffs. Testing out free trials is always a great way to find out if a service is the right fit for you. In order to find the best sports streaming service for you, you need to tailor your search to your specific needs. Luckily, that's where we come in.
How We Chose the Best Sports Streaming Services
When finding the best sports streaming services, we had to look at the different leagues and what channels broadcast games for that particular league. We then cross-reference those against a streaming service's offered networks. This way, we made sure our best picks offer more content than any other sports streaming service. In a case where multiple services offer everything you need, we looked at the price, channel lineup, and additional features as a whole.
Our Picks for the Best Sports Streaming Service
- Best Service for NFL Games: Hulu + Live TV
- Best Service for NBA Games: DIRECTV STREAM
- Best Service for MLB Games: Fubo
- Best Service for NHL Games: ESPN Plus
- Best Service for WNBA Games: YouTube TV
Best Service for NFL Games: Hulu + Live TV
Pros:
- Offers every channel that airs NFL games
- Huge selection of sports, news, and entertainment
Cons:
- No Thursday Night Football
- Short trial period
About Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV is the live TV streaming service from the well-known on-demand streaming platform, Hulu. It offers a healthy variety of sports, news, and entertainment channels, includes unlimited Cloud DVR storage, and comes with both Disney Plus and ESPN Plus at no extra charge. In addition to a solid lineup of live TV channels, subscribers get access to the complete Hulu on-demand library, including Hulu originals like "Shogun" and "The Bear."
Why We Chose It
For NFL fans who only want one streaming service, Hulu + Live TV is the best choice. It offers every channel you need to watch nationally televised NFL games: Fox, CBS, NBC, ESPN, ESPN2, and NFL Network. The only thing you'll miss is "Thursday Night Football" since Amazon Prime Video has exclusive streaming rights to those games. Other streaming services, like DIRECTV STREAM and Fubo, also offer every network that broadcasts NFL games, but they come with a higher monthly fee. Save money with Hulu and spend more on game-day snacks.
Best Service for NBA Games: DIRECTV STREAM
Pros:
- Every channel that airs NBA games
- Wide variety of plans for different needs
- Offers regional sports networks
Cons:
- Expensive
- Some networks only available via satellite
About DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV is a household name in satellite television, and DIRECTV STREAM seeks to take that reputation into the streaming service sphere. DIRECTV STREAM offers multiple plans to fit different budgets and TV-watching needs. Channels range from locals to national news, entertainment, and sports channels - everything you could expect from a satellite TV plan, without the commitment of an annual contract. Like some of the other best sports streaming services, DIRECTV STREAM comes with unlimited Cloud DVR storage, letting you access any of your recordings anywhere you have an internet connection for nine months after they've been recorded.
Why We Chose It
Basketball fans need ABC, TNT, ESPN, and NBA TV to watch every nationally televised NBA game, and DIRECTV STREAM offers all four among its expansive channel lineup. It's also one of only two major live TV streaming services to offer RSNs. For sports fans looking for a well-rounded channel lineup, DIRECTV STREAM includes entertainment networks like Disney Channel and MTV, news channels like CNN and Fox News, and tons more sports networks like FS1 and Fuel TV. Top this with the industry-standard unlimited cloud DVR, and despite its higher price point, DIRECTV STREAM cements itself as the best sports streaming service for NBA fans.
Best Service for MLB Games: Fubo
Pros:
- Designed specifically for sports fans
- Most channels that shows MLB games
Cons:
- One of the more expensive options
- Missing TBS
About Fubo
We can't talk about the best streaming service for sports and ignore Fubo, the streaming service designed with live sports in mind. Fubo offers multiple plans, each one with more channels than the last, covering a household's sports, news, and entertainment needs in a one-stop streaming platform. All Fubo plans come with unlimited Cloud DVR storage, like many others in its price range, and will store your recordings for nine months before deleting them.
Why We Chose It
You'll find MLB Network, ESPN, FS1, and Fox on Fubo, along with your local RSN where most games will air. Fubo is missing TBS, so there may be some nationally aired games that you'll miss with this service. You'll also get every network you need for every televised NFL and MLB game, as well. With so much sports content to watch, you might forget about the rest of the news and entertainment channels you get with your Fubo subscription. Fubo offers a ton of niche sports networks, too, like Billiard TV, Transworld Skateboarding, Swerve Combat, and more.
Best Service for NHL Games: ESPN Plus
Pros:
- All live out-of-market NHL games
- Tons of sports content, like UFC and MLB
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- Limited content in comparison
- No broadcast ESPN coverage
About ESPN Plus
ESPN Plus is the streaming companion to the ESPN family of broadcast networks. While it doesn't outright replace ESPN access, it does offer plenty for sports fans like on-demand access to the ESPN archives and on-the-go streaming abilities. ESPN Plus is also a minuscule fraction of the cost of many other streaming services, too. Unlike other streaming services, however, ESPN Plus doesn't offer any kind of DVR.
Why We Chose It
If you live for hockey season, you need ESPN Plus: it will get you access to all 75 out-of-market NHL games. While you wait for the next face-off, you can catch up on LaLiga or Bundesliga soccer or UFC Fight Night content. The expansive on-demand library of ESPN content makes up for the lack of DVR, too. ESPN Plus also comes bundled with Hulu + Live TV, making it really simple and affordable for multi-faceted NHL fans to pad out their sports content selection with more sports content - like everything you need to catch every televised NFL or MLB game.
Best Service for WNBA Games: YouTube TV
Pros:
- Offers every channel that shows WNBA games
- WNBA League Pass is available as an add-on
Cons:
- Missing RSNs
About YouTube TV
Currently one of the most affordable live TV streaming platforms, YouTube TV has a lot to offer in its single available plan. You'll not only get a lineup of over 100 channels but also some exclusive features made for sports fans. Key Plays View and Stats View, for example, give viewers options for getting real-time highlights and additional info about the team. Like most other streaming services, YouTube TV includes unlimited Cloud DVR.
Why We Chose It
Several streaming services have the channels you'll need to watch many WNBA games. However, YouTube TV stands out for viewers outside of the market for their favorite team. That's because YouTube TV offers WNBA League Pass as an add-on. With the add-on you can watch all out-of-market regular season WNBA games.
What to Consider When Choosing a Sports Streaming Service?
Which Networks Broadcast The Games You Need?
Would you go to a sushi restaurant for tacos? Probably not. Similarly, different sports are scattered across different networks, and the first step to finding the best sports streaming service for you starts with knowing the list of channels you need to look for.
What Else Comes With Those Networks?
Odds are, you don't just watch TV when your team is playing (but we won't judge you if that's the case - we'll admire your dedication). The best sports streaming service for you could very well also be the best news and entertainment streaming service for you - you just have to choose wisely.
Price
You probably need someplace to sit and something to snack on while you watch your sports. Blowing your entire budget on a fancy streaming service might get you the content you're looking for, but only you can decide whether or not you'd like to be comfortably seated with a full belly.
FAQ
What Streaming Service Has the Best Sports Package?
The best sports package will depend on your needs and your budget. Streaming services like Hulu + Live TV, DIRECTV STREAM, and Fubo all offer every channel you need to catch every NFL, MLB, and WNBA game, making all three contenders for the best sports streaming service.
Will Fubo Have the Super Bowl in 2024?
Yes, Fubo will have the Super Bowl for the 2024 NFL season. Super Bowl LIX will be broadcast on Fox, which Fubo carries.
What Is the Least Expensive Way To Stream Sports?
One of the least expensive ways to stream sports is through ESPN Plus, which offers ESPN content at a lower price point than other streaming platforms. While users might miss out on televised ESPN content, they'll still have plenty of content to choose from.
