The best streaming services in 2024

Free Trial: Yes | Monthly price: $73/month | Live TV: Yes | Local channels: Yes

YouTube TV is a great option for cord cutters who still want to watch live TV without having to sign a contract. It broadcasts over 85 different channels, so you're unlikely to miss your cable or satellite subscription if you switch. YouTube TV even carries your regional PBS channels, which is a rarity for most live TV streaming services.

Where YouTube TV really shines is its live sports section. It not only offers sports channels such as CBS, FOX, ESPN, NBC, TBS and TNT, but also dedicated sports broadcast networks such as the MLB Network, NBA TV and the NFL Network. You can even opt for a Sports Plus package for an additional $11 per month if you want specific sports channels like NFL RedZone, FOX College Sports, GOLTV, FOX Soccer Plus, MAVTV Motorsports Network, TVG, and Stadium. Unfortunately, however, YouTube TV recently lost the rights to broadcast Bally Sports regional networks, meaning you won't get region-specific channels like Bally Sports Detroit or Bally Sports Southwest.

A particularly strong selling point for sports fans is that instead of always remembering to record a specific game, you can simply “follow” a specific team and the DVR will automatically record all of that team's games. And if you happen to have gotten into the game late, there's a Catch Up Key Games feature that lets you catch up on all the highlights up to that point so you're caught up.

YouTube TV is quite expensive at $73 per month, which may not be much more than your basic cable package. If you want to add 4K viewing (which is currently only available on certain sporting events) and unlimited streaming, you'll need to spend an additional $20 per month. However, a standard subscription includes channels like BBC, BET, Comedy Central, the Food Network, MTV, Nickelodeon, USA and more.

It currently offers one of the best cloud DVRs available. YouTube TV's DVR has unlimited storage and you have up to nine months to watch your recorded content before it expires. There are no DVR surcharges here either; By default, you can fast forward or rewind the recorded content as you wish. However, we should note that the on-demand content on YouTube TV contains advertisements that you cannot fast forward through.

There are also a variety of premium channels you can add for just $3 per month, like Showtime, Max, Starz, Cinemax, and EPIX. You can also subscribe to an Entertainment Plus package that includes Max, Showtime, and Starz for $30 per month. Other niche add-ons include CuriosityStream, AMC Premiere, Shudder, Sundance Now, Urban Movie Channel and Acorn TV. — NL