It’s often said that sports are the final frontier of scheduled television. Just about everything else is available on demand, from the nightly news to your favorite TV sitcoms and dramas. But when your favorite team plays Thursday at 7:00, you’re probably sitting at your TV when the hour arrives. At the same time, traditional cable TV packages continue their dramatic decline in popularity. A new generation of sports streaming services, however, has filled in the gap.
Why Use a Sports Streaming Service?
Consumers are drawn to sports streaming services for many reasons. Some want to cut ties with cable providers without losing access to live events. Others are superfans who want complete access without purchasing individual packages from each of the major leagues. There are many other personality types and consumer profiles in between, but they all share a passion for sports.
Streaming services deliver access to live games, but with added bonuses. First, they get around the blackout restrictions common to league-based streaming services. Most major North American leagues restrict viewer access to in-market games until local TV broadcasts have ended. Among other perks, most sports streaming services also allow viewers to store games in the cloud for later viewing.
FuboTV
FuboTV originated as a streaming service for soccer fans. It still excels at delivering all the action of the world’s best soccer leagues, but it’s also expanded. FuboTV hosts more than 100 channels, including ESPN and the NFL Network. New customers can give FuboTV a week-long tryout with no obligation. The service also supports dozens of non-sports channels, giving it added value during downtime.
Hulu + Live TV
Reviews generally acknowledge that FuboTV has the highest number of channels dedicated to sports programming. The service supports 14 live sports channels. In addition, Hulu + Live TV is often cited as the leading option for sports fans who want a diversified experience.
Hulu + Live TV affords viewers the chance to bundle the core service with ESPN+ for a modest price upgrade. Few other streaming services offer comparable combined access to sports and entertainment content. If you’re looking for an all-in-one provider, Hulu merits a closer look.
YouTube TV
YouTube TV is another strong option for viewers seeking an all-inclusive experience. It supports more than 85 live channels in addition to an impressive lineup of specialty sports content.
YouTube TV customers get all four major U.S. networks. They also enjoy access to CBS Sports, NBC Sports, TNT, and four ESPN channels. In addition, YouTube TV links viewers to the NBA, NFL, and MLB networks along with niche channels for sports like golf and soccer.
Sling TV
Sling TV’s claim to fame is its low price point. The service stands alone in offering customizable programming access. Fans are often happy just signing up for Sling Orange, the company’s specialized service for sports content.
Reviewers also note that Sling TV provides a seamless streaming experience. It works best with reliable broadband internet, but video quality is still good even with a leaner connection.
ESPN+
ESPN+ earns inclusion in this list mainly for its very affordable price point. The service is ideal for budget-conscious sports fans. If ESPN broadcasts your favorite leagues and teams, the price can’t be beat.
The main downside is that ESPN+ doesn’t include live access to some major-league games. You can work around this limitation by bundling ESPN+ with other streaming services. However, this will also raise your monthly costs.
More Streaming Options for Live Sports
Sports fans have other options when it comes to streaming services. Honorable mention goes to DirecTV Stream. This service also offers extensive access to sports content, albeit at a higher price point.
It’s best to take a test drive before committing to a sports streaming service. Many of these services make it easy to opt-out, as few of them require long-term contracts. Even so, you’ll save yourself a lot of time and effort by trying out a service before formally signing up.