What is the best TV streaming service for someone who wants to cut cable but still get local channels and live sports?

If your priority is cutting cable while keeping local channels + live sports, my top pick in 2026 is YouTube TV.

🏆 Best overall: YouTube TV

YouTube TV is the best balance of channel selection, sports, locals, DVR, and ease of use.

• Local channels: ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and other locals are included, depending on your ZIP code.YouTube TV
• Sports: ESPN, ESPN2, NFL Network and many other sports networks; its dedicated Sports plan includes 30+ sports channels and local channels.YouTube TV+1
• DVR: Unlimited cloud DVR.
• Multiple users: Six household accounts.
• Current pricing: The main 100+ channel plan is $82.99/month, although new-user promotions currently reduce the price temporarily.YouTube TV
• NFL: You can add NFL Sunday Ticket if you want out-of-market Sunday games, though that's a significant additional cost.The Wall Street Journal

Other good choices

• Hulu + Live TV — Best if you also want a big on-demand library. It's $89.99/month and includes Hulu, Disney+, ESPN, 100+ live channels, local networks in many markets, and unlimited DVR.Hulu+1
• Fubo — Worth considering if sports are your #1 priority. It has a particularly strong sports lineup, though its higher price and potential regional-sports fees can make it less attractive as an all-purpose cable replacement.Tom's Guide
• Sling TV — Better for keeping the bill low, but local-channel coverage is much less comprehensive, so I'd put it behind YouTube TV if locals are a must-have.

My recommendation

YouTube TV if you want the simplest "cancel cable and replace it with streaming" experience.

Hulu + Live TV if you want Hulu/Disney+ included and watch lots of non-sports programming.

Fubo if you're a serious sports fan and its channel lineup fits your teams.

One important caveat: local-channel availability varies by ZIP code, and sports rights are fragmented—no single service gets absolutely everything.Hulu+1

If you tell me which sports you watch (NFL/NBA/MLB/NHL/college soccer, etc.) and your approximate monthly budget, I can narrow it down to the cheapest option that gets your local channels and games.

If your priorities are local channels + live sports + getting rid of cable, my top pick is YouTube TV.

🏆 Best overall: YouTube TV

YouTube TV is the best balance of price, channel selection, sports, and ease of use.

• Local channels: ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and other locals where available.YouTube TV+1
• Sports: ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, NFL Network and major broadcast sports channels, depending on plan/market.
• DVR: Unlimited cloud DVR.
• Multiview: Particularly useful for watching multiple games simultaneously.
• Price: The standard plan is currently $82.99/month, with a limited-time new-customer discount to $59.99 for the first three months.YouTube TV
• NFL: You can add NFL Sunday Ticket if you want out-of-market Sunday games.YouTube TV

tv.youtube.com

Other good choices

Service	Best for	Main drawback
YouTube TV	⭐ Best overall	Can get expensive with sports add-ons
Hulu + Live TV	Sports + Disney/Hulu content	$89.99/mo with ads
Fubo	🏈 Serious sports fans

Hulu + Live TV is particularly attractive if you already use Hulu/Disney+. It includes 100+ live channels, local networks, ESPN and other major sports networks for $89.99/month with ads.Hulu+1

Fubo is worth considering if sports are your #1 priority; it's particularly strong for sports coverage, although the cost can climb with add-ons and regional sports fees.Tom's Guide

My recommendation

If I were replacing cable today, I'd choose YouTube TV + a good indoor/outdoor antenna.

The antenna gives you local broadcast channels essentially for free, while YouTube TV handles the cable channels, sports, DVR and convenience. That can also protect you if a particular local station isn't included in your streaming package.

One important caveat: local-channel availability varies by ZIP code, so the "best" choice can change based on exactly where you live.

If you tell me your ZIP code and which sports you watch (NFL, college football, NBA, MLB, NHL, etc.), I can compare YouTube TV vs. Hulu + Live TV vs. Fubo vs. DIRECTV specifically for your area and tell you which gives you the best value.

For cutting cable while keeping both your local broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) and robust live sports coverage , the clear top contenders are YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV . However, the absolute "best" choice depends on your specific sports priorities (like Regional Sports Networks vs. extra add-ons).

Here is how the top options stack up for sports and local channels:

• YouTube TV — Best Overall for Sports Fans
  • Why it wins: It carries all major local channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) in nearly every U.S. market, plus a comprehensive lineup of national sports networks (ESPN, FS1, FS2, TNT, TBS, SEC Network, ACC Network, etc.). It also features multiview (watching up to four games at once) and is the exclusive home for the NFL Sunday Ticket add-on.
  • Local Channels: Excellent nationwide local market coverage.thestreamable.com
• Hulu + Live TV — Best Value Bundle (Live TV + On-Demand)
  • Why it fits: It includes a nearly identical channel lineup to YouTube TV for local broadcast stations (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) and major sports networks. The big differentiator is that your subscription rolls in the massive Disney+ and Hulu on-demand content libraries, plus ESPN+ access.
  • Local Channels: Full local network availability in supported markets.thestreamable.com
• DIRECTV via Internet (formerly DIRECTV STREAM) — Best for Regional Sports Networks (RSNs)
  • Why it fits: If your absolute priority is watching your local hometown NBA, NHL, or MLB team via regional cable networks (like Bally Sports or NBC Sports regionals), DIRECTV is the most complete option. Other streamers have dropped many RSNs, but DIRECTV carries them on higher-tier plans.
  • The Catch: It is significantly more expensive than YouTube TV or Hulu.thestreamable.com
• Fubo — Heavy Sports Focus, but Check Local ABC
  • Why it fits: Fubo markets itself explicitly as a sports-first streaming alternative to cable, offering dozens of sports channels.
  • The Catch: Fubo generally does not carry ABC in its local channel lineup, which can be a major dealbreaker if local broadcast games or Sunday Night Football spill over.

To help narrow down the ideal match, let me know:

• What specific sports teams or leagues do you follow most closely?
• Do you care about Regional Sports Networks for local MLB/NBA/NHL games?

For most cord-cutters wanting a seamless blend of local networks and live sports, YouTube TV is the best overall live TV streaming service.youtube.com

The right choice depends on your specific local broadcast needs and whether you follow hometown teams on Regional Sports Networks (RSNs).youtube.com

Streaming Service	Monthly Price (Approx.)	Local Channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX)	Live Sports Highlights	Best For
YouTube TV	$82.99	Extensive	ESPN, FS1, TNT, TBS, and RSNs; Multiview	Overall value & interface
Fubo	Varies + fees	CBS, NBC, FOX (No ABC)	30+ sports channels, regional networks	Hardcore sports fans
Hulu + Live TV	Varies	Extensive	ESPN, FS1, TNT, TBS + ESPN+ included	Bundling with on-demand
DIRECTV STREAM	Highest tier	Comprehensive	Excellent RSN coverage	Complete channel parity

Top Recommendations by Priority

• Best Overall Experience: YouTube TV wins for its reliable stream, incredible unlimited cloud DVR , and popular Multiview feature that lets you watch up to four games simultaneously.youtube.com
• Best for Dedicated Sports & RSNs: Fubo offers the deepest specialized sports lineup, though you should verify your local market because it lacks ABC and tacks on regional sports fees.youtube.com
• Best Value Add-on: Hulu + Live TV is ideal if you already enjoy Hulu's on-demand library and want built-in access to ESPN+ for extra collegiate and niche events.

If you want, tell me:

• What specific sports teams or regional networks you need to watch
• Your ZIP code so I can check exact local channel availability in your area

I can pinpoint the precise service that covers your must-watch games.

If your goal is “ditch cable, keep local channels, and watch a lot of live sports,” I’d pick YouTube TV for most people.

My ranking

1. YouTube TV — best overall

• Strong lineup of local ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC stations in most markets.
• Excellent sports coverage, including ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FOX, CBS, NBC and NFL Network.
• Unlimited DVR and a very good interface.
• Current regular price is about $83/month, though promotions can lower the initial cost.Tom's Guide+1
• Best choice if you want the closest thing to traditional cable without the cable box.

2. Hulu + Live TV — best value if you also want streaming

• $89.99/month currently includes Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN content in addition to 100+ live channels.
• Includes local channels such as ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC where available, plus ESPN, FS1, NFL Network and other sports networks.
• Unlimited DVR is included.Hulu+1
• Best if you already pay for Disney+ or Hulu.

3. Fubo — best for serious sports fans

• Particularly strong sports lineup and local programming in many markets.
• Fubo says local ABC, CBS, FOX and CW programming is included in its U.S. English base plans where carried.support.fubo.tv
• Best if sports are more important to you than entertainment channels.

One important catch

“Local channels” depend on your ZIP code. Even the services above don't carry every local station in every market, and sports can be subject to regional blackouts. Hulu specifically recommends checking the channels available in your area before subscribing.Hulu

Since you're in the Butler, Pennsylvania area, I can also compare YouTube TV vs. Hulu + Live TV vs. Fubo specifically for your local Pittsburgh-area channels and the sports you care about (Steelers, Pirates, Penguins, college football, etc.). That would give you a much more definitive winner.

If your priorities are local channels + live sports + replacing cable, my top pick is YouTube TV.

Best options

Service	Best for	Local channels	Sports	DVR	Current base price*
YouTube TV	⭐ Best overall	ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC in many markets	Excellent	Unlimited	$82.99/mo
Hulu + Live TV	Best bundle	ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC in many markets	Excellent	Unlimited	$89.99/mo
Fubo	🏆 Sports-heavy households	Strong local coverage	Excellent, especially sports networks	Unlimited	~$88.99/mo
Sling TV	Cheapest flexible option	Limited—depends heavily on market	Good	Unlimited with plan	From ~$45.99/mo

*Prices and channel availability can change; local-channel lineups depend on your ZIP code.

Why I'd choose YouTube TV: its main plan has 100+ channels, includes local stations, unlimited DVR, and features such as multiview. It also supports major sports networks and offers NFL Sunday Ticket as an add-on.YouTube TV+1

Hulu + Live TV is arguably the better deal if you also want Hulu and Disney+ because they're bundled in. It currently costs $89.99/month and includes 100+ live channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN and other sports networks.Hulu+1

Fubo is worth considering if sports are your #1 priority. It has a particularly broad sports-channel lineup and can include regional sports networks depending on your location and plan.Decider

My recommendation

For most people cutting cable: YouTube TV. For sports fanatics: Fubo. For Hulu/Disney+ fans: Hulu + Live TV. For keeping the bill as low as possible: Sling + an antenna for local channels.

One important caveat: local channels vary by ZIP code, and sports blackouts/rights can make a big difference. If you give me your ZIP code and the sports you watch (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college football, etc.), I can tell you which one is actually the best value for you.