Best Live TV Streaming Services (Cable Replacements)

What separates the top live TV streaming services?

Three services made the cut, and the scores sit close together: Hulu at 7.2, Peacock at 7.1 and Paramount+ at 7.0. The gap is small, so the decision comes down to which channels and shows you actually watch.

Hulu costs $18.99 for the ad-free tier, the most expensive standalone option here. It gives you next-day episodes from ABC, NBC, Fox and FX, and its live TV plan includes Disney+ and ESPN+. The trade-off is very little 4K.

Peacock is $13.99 and carries every Premier League match, Sunday Night Football, the Olympics and WWE. It is the cheapest ad tier with live sport. NBC and Bravo shows arrive next day, and Universal films land after cinema. The ad tier still shows ads on some live content even on Premium Plus, and the app is dated.

Paramount+ is $12.99, the lowest ad-free price with live sport. You get live CBS including NFL games and the Champions League, plus Nickelodeon for kids and Star Trek. Showtime is included on the ad-free plan. Search and profiles are weak, and it has 10 of 40 checklist titles.

What should I check before buying?

The scoring criteria weight catalogue at 30, value at 25, video and audio quality at 20, apps and experience at 15, and flexibility at 10. That tells you where the differences show up.

• Catalogue: Hulu has 14 of 40 checklist titles, Paramount+ has 10 of 40. Peacock's strength is live sport and next-day NBC shows.
• Value: Paramount+ is the cheapest ad-free plan with live sport at $12.99. Peacock is the cheapest ad tier with live sport at $13.99. Hulu's ad-free tier is $18.99.
• Video quality: All three offer very little 4K, so do not expect a big jump there.
• Apps and experience: Peacock's app is dated; Paramount+ has weak search and profiles. Hulu's interface is the most polished of the three.
• Flexibility: Check whether the live TV add-on you want is included or costs extra.

Which one for whom?

If you want next-day network TV and FX originals, and you want Disney+ and ESPN+ bundled into a live TV plan, Hulu fits. If you follow the Premier League, Sunday Night Football, the Olympics or WWE, Peacock is the one. If you want live CBS, NFL games, the Champions League, Star Trek and Showtime at the lowest ad-free price, Paramount+ is your pick.

For next-day network shows and a Disney+ and ESPN+ bundle, Hulu is the pick. For live Premier League, Sunday Night Football, the Olympics and WWE, Peacock fits. For live CBS, NFL games, the Champions League and Showtime at the lowest ad-free price, Paramount+ is the one.