If you realized that your cable TV contract is not only limited but also too expensive, then you should try to live stream your content. If you’re a fan of sports, you can enjoy live events for a lower price than cable TV and without getting locked into a long-term contract. Find out below how to find the best streaming service for sports fans.

Choosing the Right Streaming Platform

Choosing the streaming platform for your entertainment content can be a bit difficult due to the abundance of options, each with different features and benefits. At the end of the day, your best bet will depend on what you want from the service provider. There are a couple of factors you can consider when comparing different platforms and services.

1. What types of shows do you like? If you are a big fan of sports, consider which sports you actually want to watch live and see which platforms offer the content you want.

2. How much are you willing to spend? As always, you need to find a plan that fits your budget. Live sports streaming services are a bit more expensive than your normal streaming package. However, you will still save a lot of money if you compare it to the cost of cable TV. Hulu, for instance, offers a monthly subscription for $64.99 and many TV networks are also launching their own services.

Advantages of Live Streaming Sports

There are a couple of factors that contribute to the growth of streaming platforms over the years.

One is the cost-effectiveness of the service. Viewers have several options in terms of subscription plans. They can go for a basic one that costs a few dollars a month or they can purchase a premium subscription that includes a wide variety of shows for less than the price of regular cable TV. Hulu’s premium package, as an example, costs $64.99 a month. Many services also offer free trial periods so you can test out the platform and its features and explore the titles available. What’s more, is that you don’t have to be tied to a lengthy contract.
Two, viewers realize that they pay more for channels they don’t watch due to the fixed cable TV packages. Viewers’ preference has changed and they want the freedom to choose what to watch, when to watch, and where to watch it. Using a streaming service means they only pay for shows that they actually watch. They customize their packages based on their preferences especially for fans of sports. When comparing streaming services, focus on the types of sports and teams that you support or enjoy watching.

Hulu has made a mark on the industry as a great overall choice with a decent mix of entertainment, news, and sports channels. They have more than 65 channels available which include Fox Sports, ESPN, The Disney Channel, Big Ten Network, Animal Planet, CNN, MSNBC, and ABC.

Another platform to keep an eye on is Fubo TV. It was originally launched as a niche live soccer streaming service and has quickly positioned itself as the favorite live sports streaming service. From the biggest sports events down to the most niche ones, you can find the sports you enjoy. Fubo TV also provides access to NBA TV, Fox Sports, ABC Sports, ESPN, and The NFL Network. If you’re not satisfied with these, you can also add extra channels such as Sports Illustrated, NFL Red Zone, The Tennis Channel, and The Fight Network for an additional monthly fee. Fubo TV isn’t limited to sports content and has expanded its content selection in the past years. Some of the recent additions to their catalog include BBC America, A&E, Discovery, and local news channels.

Vidgo, launched in 2019, is a relatively new player in the market. In terms of channel offerings, it can be compared to Hulu but with a lower price tag. Vidgo has a good selection of live sports and entertainment channels which include NFL Red Zone, Fox Sports 1, ABC, ESPN, Discovery, A&E, The Food Network, and Comedy Central. The service doesn’t have that many news channels to offer. You won’t get access to CNN but you do have ABC News and Fox News available in their Core and Plus packages.

Sling TV was one of the pioneers of watching TV without cable and was launched in 2015. It has an excellent channel lineup and is priced reasonably making it a competitive choice. For sports fans, the Sling Orange package provides access to three ESPN channels, MotorTrend, and Stadium.

Sports You Can Watch

Baseball

The Regional Sports Network usually covers more than 80% of the Major League Baseball telecasts, with 23 out of 30 teams available to watch locally. Hulu, AT&T Now, FuboTV, and Sling TV offer streaming plans that include RSN coverage. The best package will depend on the teams that you want to watch. Chicago Cubs games are covered by The Marquee Sports Network available on AT&T Now or Hulu while Houston Astros fans can watch their games through FuboTV. National games not covered by RSN may be available on Fox, ESPN, TBS, FS1, or Facebook.

Basketball

Similar to baseball coverage, 80% of sports telecasts will be aired on the RSN. 25 NBA teams can be watched by fans locally. Two of the five teams remaining may not be covered by live streaming. Compare each streaming package to see which ones cover the teams you follow. For instance, if you’re a fan of the Brooklyn Nets, you will need a Hulu subscription to watch them. National games not aired on RSN may be available on ABC, TNT, or ESPN. Many streaming services offer these channels which also broadcast playoff and final games.

American Football

Networks share football coverage which depends on the day of airing and the teams playing. AFC teams can usually be seen on CBS while NFC teams are on Fox. There are streaming services that don’t have a local broadcaster for each market, but there is at least one service that has Fox or CBS affiliate in every NFL team’s local market. For football fans, you can watch through Hulu, FuboTV, or AT&T Now which have massive rights on the games except Indianapolis Colts. Sling TV and Philo plans do not air NFL coverage.