Clark Howard

Best live TV streaming plans and deals in 2018

Are you paying more than $100 a month for cable or satellite TV service? You may be able to cut that bill in half by switching to one of several new live TV streaming options.

DirecTV Now, YouTube TV, PlayStation Vue, Hulu with Live TV and Sling TV are the five leading providers to consider right now.

RELATED: Clark’s TV bundle will cut your cable or satellite bill in half!

Live TV streaming: DirecTV Now, YouTube TV, PlayStation Vue, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV 

“As you look at an average pay-TV bill of over $100 a month, you can instead go with streaming services that typically will run you from a base of $20 a month for a bare-bones streaming package to typically more common $40 a month,” says money expert Clark Howard.

The best part? Instead of being married to your own sofa and TV, these streaming services allow you to watch from anywhere — on your phone, computer or TV.

Before you sign up for a streaming service, here’s what you’ll need: 

  • High-speed internet service: Requirements vary by provider, but 10 Mbps or higher is generally recommended for a streaming experience without buffering. Check your current download speed at Speedtest.net.
  • Compatible streaming device: Although no cable box is required, you may need to buy a streaming device (Google Chromecast, Roku, Amazon Fire TV) to play content on your TV. Check with each provider for a list of supported devices.
  • Digital antenna: You can pick up a digital antenna for $10 to $40 if your live TV streaming package doesn't include your favorite local channels like ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and PBS.

Team Clark has been testing various live TV streaming services over the past few months. Some of the key differences are price, channel lineup, DVR, supported devices and the ability to watch multiple streams at once.

“My favorite of all the streaming products is YouTube TV. It has a pretty wide array of television programming, but what’s really neat is that multiple people could be watching different things at the same time and everybody has an unlimited DVR,” Clark said.

Ready to lower your pay TV bill once and for all? Read on to learn more about your options in Clark’s guide to the best streaming plans and deals in 2018…

DirecTV Now

Key takeaway: Clark said DirecTV Now was “abysmally, horrifically terrible” when it first launched. After giving it a second chance, he said it was “flawless.” 

  • Price: "Live a Little" plan starts at $35 per month
  • Channels: More than 60 channels included in the base package, such as A&E, Bravo, CNN, Disney, ESPN, Fox News, History, HGTV, MSNBC, Nickelodeon, TBS, TNT, USA (Full channel lineup)
  • DVR: Coming Spring 2018
  • Supported devices for TV: Amazon Fire TV Edition Smart TV, Amazon Fire TV media player, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Amazon Fire TV Pendant, Apple TV (4th generation), Chromecast (2nd generation and higher on Android & iOS devices, Chrome browser), Chromecast built-in TV, Roku (select models)
  • Multiple streams: Up to two devices at the same time

RELATED:  DirecTV Now: Why Clark Howard has changed his mind

YouTube TV

Key takeaway: Unlimited cloud DVR and the ability to use up to three separate devices at the same time make this Clark’s #1 favorite. 

  • Price: $35 per month; increases to $40 per month starting March 13
  • Channels: Turner networks TNT, Adult Swim, TBS, CNN, HLN, Cartoon Network, truTV and Turner Classic Movies among the 50+ networks included (Full channel lineup)
  • DVR: Record as many programs as you want at the same time and never run out of storage space
  • Supported devices for TV: Stream with Chromecast or download the YouTube TV app on Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Xbox One and supported Samsung and LG TVs
  • Multiple streams: Up to three separate devices at the same time

RELATED:  Should you sign up for YouTube TV?

PlayStation Vue 

Key takeaway: Don’t let the name fool you! A PlayStation console isn’t necessary to sign up for this live TV streaming service. 

  • Price: $39.99 for "Access" plan
  • Channels: The only streaming service to feature OWN in its cheapest plan; 40+ other networks like ESPN, Disney and HGTV are also included (Full channel lineup)
  • DVR: Programming saved to DVR in "My Shows" can be watched in and out of your home network; stored for up to 28 days
  • Supported devices for TV: PlayStation consoles, Roku players (firmware 7.7 and up), Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV (4th generation running tvOS 10.0 and up), Android TV (Android OS 4.4 and up), Chromecast
  • Multiple streams: Up to five devices at the same time

RELATED: The live TV streaming service you really need to know about in 2018

Hulu with Live TV

Key takeaway: If you’re already paying for Hulu, this live TV streaming service is worth a closer look. Its Limited Commercials plan comes with the $39.99 monthly package. 

  • Price: $39.99 per month
  • Channels: Access Hulu's entire streaming library, plus get channels like A&E, Bravo, Disney, E!, ESPN, FS1, FS2, Food Network, HGTV, History and more (Full channel lineup)
  • DVR: 50 hours of cloud DVR storage included; additional charge to upgrade to 200 hours
  • Supported devices for TV: Chromecast, Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Nintendo Switch, Roku and Roku Stick (select models), Samsung TV (select models), Xbox 360, Xbox One
  • Multiple streams: Watch videos simultaneously on up to two screens

RELATED: 4 things to know about Hulu’s live TV streaming service

Sling TV

Key takeaway: Sling TV has a plan starting at $20 per month, but you may need to purchase a few add-ons to get everything you really want. 

  • Price: $20 per month for Sling Orange, $25 for Sling Blue, $40 for Sling Orange + Blue
  • Channels: Sling Orange offers 30 channels including ESPN, Disney, AMC, CNN and HGTV; Sling Blue offers 40+ channels like FOX, NBC, regional sports, NFL Network and FX
  • DVR: 50 hours of storage for an extra $5 per month
  • Supported devices for TV: Apple TV (4th generation), Roku LT and higher, Amazon Fire TV players, Chromecast, Android TV, AirTV Player, Mi Box, LG WebOS 3.0 and 3.5, 2016 and 2017 Samsung TVs, Xbox One
  • Multiple streams: One stream at a time with Sling Orange; three streams at a time with Sling Blue; four streams at once with Sling Orange + Blue

RELATED: 5 things to know before you sign up for Sling TV

Listen to Clark talk about live TV streaming options on The Clark Howard Show Podcast

Final thought 

Still not sure which live TV streaming service to try? Call a family meeting and have everyone write down the channels that are most important to them, then decide together which service is the best fit. (Our channel comparison chart can help!)

All of these streaming services offer free trials to allow you to test them out before breaking up with your existing provider.

And if you’re happy with your current cable or satellite service but not your monthly bill, it doesn’t hurt to give customer service a call and see if they’d be willing to work with you on the price.

RELATED: This new tool negotiates with your cable and internet provider to lower your bill