Sling TV is the third most popular streaming TV service in the US, with around 2.3 million subscribers as of the end of 2022. That number hasn’t fluctuated much over the years, but we’re seeing thousands they come and go as the numbers are released every three. months.
Still, it’s worth wondering what else is out there. What are the best alternatives to Sling TV?
We’ll get to all of that. But first it should be noted that no other service does things the same way as Sling. Most have a single plan with a bunch of channels, and none offer the kind of “reduced package” you’ll find on Sling TV, which raised its prices in 2022. It’s still a service that has plenty of channels you can use. You’ll want less money, even if the total number of channels isn’t as great as other options.
Let’s see what else is available.
YouTube television
- Advantage: More than 100 channels with a simple interface, free recording and up to six profiles in one account. Available on all platforms. Many optional extras. Includes all your local broadcast channels.
- Less good: If you want something in 4K, you’ll have to shell out another $10 a month.
- Plans: As of March 2023, the plan sold is $73 per month (plus tax).
YouTube TV, owned by Google, is the largest live streaming service in the US, with more than 5 million subscribers, and for good reason. A few, really. First of all, their unique plan has over 100 channels and they are competitive with every other service. There is also the fact that it is easy to use. The channel guide is simple, the recommendations are often relevant (as you’d expect from Google), and unlimited recording is a breeze. You’ll also get your local streaming affiliates, including the ones that Sling TV doesn’t have.
If you set up a family group with Google, you can have up to six profiles associated with a YouTube TV subscription. This ensures that everyone has their own recordings and recommendations, and is a lifesaver if you have children.
There is also the ability to view things in 4K. And by “stuff,” we mean some live sports, including the full 2022 World Cup, as well as some on-demand shows and networks. It will still cost you, but the price is much more affordable now that it’s down to $10 per month and just $5 per month for the first year. The YouTube TV 4K Plus add-on is free for the first month, $10 per month after that, and then $20 per month after the first year. We’d really like to see that cost reduced, and it’s only worth it if you really want to watch live sports in the best possible quality. (But once you watch a game in 4K, there may be no going back.)
It can be argued that YouTube TV is the best live streaming service out there. There is also a plot for our next entry.
Hulu with live TV
- The good: A competitive channel lineup. plus you get ESPN+, Disney+ and full Hulu on demand.
- Less good: UI is ok. Your local streaming affiliates may be missing.
- Plans: $70 per month (remember, you get the full Disney package for that price). You can get rid of the ads on Hulu and Disney+ On Demand content for $83 a month.
The Hulu Live TV guide looks the same no matter what device you’re using. Phil Nickinson/Digital Trends
Hulu With Live TV is the second most popular streaming service with 4.5 million subscribers. That’s thanks to a very good channel selection, but also because you actually get the whole Disney package with the subscription. It’s Hulu with Live TV, the Hulu on-demand library, ESPN+, and Disney+, all for about the same price as any other live streaming service. That’s hard to beat.
What might give you pause is the channel list. Check out our full review of Hulu Live TV vs. YouTube TV for more information, but there is a difference between the two services in this regard. You watch many linear channels, including your local broadcast affiliates.
However, Hulu With Live TV is not as easy to use as YouTube TV, but it is still very good.
FuboTV
- Good: A competitive lineup of channels at a competitive price, with lots of extras, especially for sports. There are also some live sports in 4K, at no extra charge.
- Less good: Its prices went up in early 2023. It’s also not as easy to use as other options, and recordings are limited to 1000 hours (which is still a lot).
- Plans: Starting at $75 per month for 150 channels; $95 a month gets you 272 channels, plus Showtime and more.
FuboTV is fourth in terms of live streaming services, with 1.45 million subscribers as of the end of 2022. It relies heavily on live sports, so much so that it has also been trying to break into the sports betting business. , launching Fubo Gaming in two states. . However, that company was shut down in October 2022.
FuboTV also has a solid channel lineup, starting at 150 channels for $75/month. (That price went up in early 2023, but so did the number of channels.) You can nearly double the number of channels for $95 a month, and that’s before you look at the various optional extras, including some hard-to-find ones. international sports.
And FuboTV still shows some live events in 4K, mostly from Fox. And while it’s not the only way to watch live sports in 4K anymore (it was, for a while, the only source), it’s a great option, especially considering that FuboTV does not charge extra for the privilege.
The only real drawback here is the upper limit prices. But it’s still a strong option that you should consider.
DirecTV streaming
- Good: Several plans with many channels to choose from.
- Less good: Changing owners (and names) multiple times didn’t help subscriber numbers and you get fewer channels for your money.
- Plans: $75 for more than 75 channels; $100 for more than 105 channels; $110 for 140+ channels; $155 for 150+ channels (with discounts for the first five months).
DirecTV Stream has a strange history. We used to know it as DirecTV Now and later as AT&T TV. It is now an independent company and lives as DirecTV Stream. The new company doesn’t provide subscriber numbers, but AT&T last reported 656,000 subscribers at the end of 2020, and that’s part of a downward trend.
Not that there’s anything wrong with DirecTV Stream. It has a good selection of channels and four plans to choose from. It has the options and extras you would expect.
But it is also more expensive per channel. You’ll get a small price discount for the first five months on all but the cheapest plan, but after that you’ll pay more than any other option, making it less acceptable to many. At least there’s a free trial, so you can take the stuff for a test drive.
phil
- Good: The cheapest option. Unlimited recording.
- Less good: No local broadcast affiliates.
- Plans: One plan for $25/mo.
If you’re the type who doesn’t tend to switch channels and have some specific things you like to watch on certain channels, definitely check out Philo as it’s only $25/month. And if all he watches is part of his 70+ channel lineup, he can save a good deal of money here.
The biggest drawback is that the choice of channels is quite limited. Without ESPN, for example. And no cable news (maybe that’s not a bad thing). Plus, there are no local broadcast affiliates, so you’ll certainly want to install an antenna to take care of that.
But again, if what you’re watching is on one of their channels. you can’t beat $25 a month.
Phil Nickinson/Digital Trends
honda freestream
And then there’s Sling Freestream. This is what is known as FAST service, which stands for ad-free television. No subscription required and everything is free to view. (Hence the name). You will only have to watch a few ads.
Freestream brings you over 335 channels with over 40,000 movies and shows, all available within the existing Sling app.
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Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn