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What’s the best live TV streaming service in 2021?

by | Sep 16, 2021

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These days, many people have already cut the cable cord and are streaming TV. But for those that haven’t, it’s usually because they don’t want to miss out on their favorite live TV shows, games, and news. Fortunately, there are streaming services with options so you can continue to enjoy live TV while kicking cable to the curb.

A family is watching sports on a live streaming TV in their living room.

The best live TV streaming services in 2021

What makes a live TV streaming service great? Some offer DVR recording, while others offer free local channels. It all depends on what is important to you.

  • If you love live sports, Sling TV Blue and Orange, Hulu + Live TV, Vidgo, and FuboTV are good options for you.
  • For live news, look into Sling TV Blue, Hulu + Live TV, Vidgo, and FuboTV.
  • For tons of content, try: Hulu + Live TV and FuboTV.

Now, let’s go over the best live TV streaming services in 2021 and what makes each of them unique.

A group of friends watches live news on streaming TV.

Sling TV

The first name in live TV streaming is Sling TV. It’s more affordable than most cable services and allows you to cancel whenever you want. You can also record up to 50 hours of live TV for free. They offer two different packages to choose from. Sling Orange includes 32 channels, including kid-friendly shows and ESPN. Sling Blue includes pro football channels and news stations. You can also combine the two to get the best of both worlds.

Hulu + Live TV

Hulu also allows you stream live sports and catch live news updates. They create their own original content, kids’ shows, and movies, and offer 50 hours of Cloud DVR storage. The Hulu library boasts over 10,000 titles, so there’s always something to watch.

Frndly TV

With 19 channels, including The Hallmark Channel and The Weather Channel, Frndly TV offers live TV and on-demand TV in three packages, ranging from Basic to Premium. You can watch 1,000+ shows on demand for as low as $5.99 a month. 

Vidgo

With Vidgo, you can watch 80+ live sports, news, and entertainment channels. That includes ESPN, Fox, and NFL. Plus, you can join watch parties to enjoy your favorite live TV with your friends. You can also chat with other fans during the game on their app on your mobile device. If you show up late to watch the game, you can rewind, pause, or skip back to the beginning.

FuboTV

Boasting the largest live sports coverage, FuboTV also offers live news and entertainment channels. This live TV streaming service includes access to 200+ channels, including extensive sports coverage, 10,000+ shows and movies on-demand, and up to 1,000 hours of DVR storage.

Two friends stream live TV.

What equipment do I need to stream live TV?

All you need is an internet-connected device, the live TV streaming service of your choice, and of course, reliable internet. There is no dish or cable that needs to be installed. Some users may want to use a smart TV or a streaming stick. Both of these pieces of equipment essentially act as a dashboard for your content and allow you to switch between streaming services.

What if I want other streaming services?

You can bundle them! And CenturyLink can help. We’ve partnered with leading satellite providers, as well as live TV and on-demand streaming providers, and created a way to create your best TV experience. You can get your personalized bundle today with the CenturyLink TV Recommendation Tool.

Last words

With the best live TV streaming services in 2021, you can have the best of both worlds: super-convenient streaming TV where and when you want it, plus local news, sports, and your favorite shows all in one place.

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<a href="https://discover.centurylink.com/author/kirstenqueen" target="_self">Kirsten Queen</a>

Kirsten Queen

Author

Kirsten Queen is the Senior Content Marketing Manager for CenturyLink and Quantum Fiber. Since she started writing professionally, Kirsten has dabbled in nonprofit grant writing and communications, social media marketing, and now writes content about life with technology. In her free time, Kirsten likes to cook, garden, and hike in the mountains of Colorado. Her name rhymes with first, not cheer.