TV channels: Our ultimate guide for 2025

With streaming channels constantly shifting and lineups evolving, keeping track of what each Live TV streaming service offers is tough. That’s why we’ve created the most up-to-date channel comparison available — helping you see exactly which services carry your favorite local, sports, news, entertainment, and top cable networks.

We break it all down across major providers like DIRECTV, Fubo, Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, Philo, and YouTube TV, so you don’t have to dig through each one individually.

Not sure which service is the best fit for your must-have channels? Try our Service Matchmaker — just tell us what you watch, and we’ll recommend the best option for you.

Local Channels

Most streaming services offer local ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, Telemundo, The CW, and Univision, with a few exceptions. The Sling Orange plan doesn’t include any local channels, while Sling Blue offers FOX, NBC, and ABC affiliates in limited markets.

Local Availability

Even if a service offers live local channels, it may not offer the channels in your area. If you live in an area without local channels, you can still access the on-demand content after it airs in most cases.

To see the local channels available in your area, we suggest that you enter your zip code in our Local Channel Finder.

Missing Channels

Some streaming platforms offer certain live channels but not others, making it hard to get everything in one place. Thankfully, there are a few options for getting the channels you need.

If you subscribe to a plan that doesn’t offer CBS, consider subscribing to Paramount+. It’s a monthly subscription directly from CBS, which includes live streaming of most sports on CBS and on-demand access to many of its shows. You can upgrade to their premium tier if you want your local CBS affiliate.

If you only need your local NBC feed, sign up for Peacock at the Premium Plus level. You’ll get live NBC along with the great on-demand library.

You can get free access to CW shows with The CW apps with no subscription needed.

Top Cable Channels

Most Live TV Streaming Services include 25-35 Top Cable Channels from Disney, NBCU, Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount Global, Hallmark, A+E, and AMC.

Fubo has many of the top cable channels. While they have most major channels like ABC, ESPN, Disney Channel, FX, Nat Geo, Bravo, USA, FS1, and Fox News, they are missing A&E, AMC, Cartoon Network, CNN, Discovery, Food Network, HGTV, History, Investigation Discovery, Lifetime, TBS, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, truTV, and WE tv. They carry regional sports networks in most markets, including those from FanDuel Sports.

YouTube TV also offers many top cable channels, but is missing A&E, History, and Lifetime.

Hulu Live TV includes various top cable channels, and is only missing AMC and WE tv. At nearly the same price as the others, Hulu includes the Disney Bundle (Disney+ and ESPN+), as well as access to Hulu Originals and on-demand library.

DIRECTV plans start lower than many other services thanks to their Genre Packs. DIRECTV also has more top cable channels than any other service. You will need the Choice plan or MySports Genre Pack to access regional sports networks (RSNs), which include FanDuel Sports RSNs.

The two best value offerings are Philo or Sling TV’s Blue plan, which includes 24 top cable channels top cable channels for just ($4.99+) a month.

Sports Channels

Sports fans tend to have different needs. Some want national sports channels like ESPN and TNT, but others want regional sports networks like YES Network, FanDuel Sports Network Detroit, NBC Sports Bay Area, NESN, Altitude, MASN, Spectrum Sportsnet, Altitude, or Sportsnet.

If you need national sports, you have plenty of options. Nearly all the services carry ESPN and FS1, while most carry TNT and TBS.

Sling TV is the best budget option for sports fans, but includes ESPN in Sling Orange and FS1, USA Network, and NFL Network in Sling Blue. You can also add the Sports Extra pack to get channels like NHL Network, college sports networks like SEC Network, ACC Network, and Pac-12 Network.

If you need local sports, Fubo includes some RSNs, including hard-to-get ones like those from FanDuel Sports, Altitude, MSG, NESN, Marquee Sports Network, SportsNet Pittsburgh, ROOT Sports Northwest. It is also one of the only services with NFL Network, NFL RedZone, NBA TV, MLB Network, and NHL Network.

If you want to watch YES Network, MASN, Spectrum SportsNet, or Spectrum SportsNet LA, you will need DIRECTV, which also includes national sports channels like ESPN, FS1, USA Network, TNT, and TBS. YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV, and Sling TV no longer carries RSNs.

Those wanting to watch New York market teams on YES or MSG can also use the Gotham Sports App for full access.

National Sports Channels

Most services include ESPN/ESPN2, USA Network, FS1/FS2, TBS, and TNT in their basic packages. While Fubo carries ESPN, USA, and FS1, they don’t have TBS or TNT.

Regional Sports Networks (RSNs)

Fubo, Hulu Live TV, and YouTube TV offer regional sports networks (RSNs) in their base plans. DIRECTV requires an upgraded plan or an add-on to the MySports Genre Pack to access RSNs. Fubo also carries RSNs in its base plan.

Some Regional Sports Networks like Altitude (Denver), MSG/MSG+ (New York), Marquee Sports Network (Chicago), NESN (Boston), SportsNet Houston, SportsNet Pittsburgh, SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Las Vegas/Utah), and ROOT Sports Northwest (Portland/Seattle) are carried by Fubo and DIRECTV. Spectrum SportsNet and MASN are only carried by DIRECTV.

Pro Sports

Most services don’t offer pro sports networks in their base plan.

Fubo is the most comprehensive option, including NFL Network in its base plan. You can add NBA TV, MLB Network, and NHL Network as part of their $8 Fubo Extra add-on. If you want NFL RedZone, you can instead choose their $11 Sports Plus add-on, which includes those other channels as well.

One of your least expensive options is Sling Blue ($45.99) + Sports Extra ($11), which includes NFL Network, NFL RedZone, NBA TV, MLB Network, and NHL Network.

Fubo, Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV, and Sling TV each offer NFL Network and NFL RedZone.

College Sports

The major college sports networks are ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS Sports Network, ESPNU, Pac-12 Network, and SEC Network.

Hulu Live TV and Fubo are strong options for college sports fans. Both services include Big Ten Network, CBS Sports Network, ESPNU, ACC Network, and SEC Network. These channels are also available on DIRECTV, but only on their upgraded Ultimate plan.

Fubo and Sling TV are the only providers of the Pac-12 Network. It’s included in Fubo Extra add-on or Sports Plus add-on, or as part of Sling TV’s Sports Extra pack.

Other Sports Channels

Fubo is the ideal streaming service for soccer fans. Its base plan includes beIN. You can add Fox Soccer Plus for only $6, which is usually a $15 upgrade on other services.

Premium Channels

Most streaming services offer premium channels like Cinemax, HBO Max, Showtime, Starz, and Epix as add-ons to subscriptions.

DIRECTV includes three months of HBO Max if you subscribe to their Choice plan or above.

Hulu Live TV, Fubo, Sling TV, and YouTube TV all offer Showtime for $10–$11 a month, or you could subscribe to Showtime on Amazon for the same price.

Philo offers MGM+ ($6) and STARZ ($9) as add-ons to their service.