Internet Protocol television (IPTV) has exploded in popularity over the last few years as a flexible and cost-effective alternative to traditional cable TV. As more streaming services emerge offering live TV programming, it can be challenging to determine which IPTV provider best fits your needs and budget. This comprehensive guide examines the top contenders this year based on channel availability, unique features, reliability and overall value. I’ve analyzed over a dozen popular services to spotlight the 5 frontrunners IPTV subscribers should strongly consider in 2023.
Key Factors in Choosing an IPTV Service
When selecting an Internet TV service, there are a few vital factors savvy cord cutters take into account:
Content and Channels – The number one consideration is whether your must-have channels are covered. Most skinny bundles can’t compete with cable in terms of volume, so closely compare channel lineups. localized content and premium add-ons are also a plus.
Features – Look for services that allow simultaneous streams, cloud DVR storage, user profiles and an intuitive interface. Mobile apps, TV Everywhere authentication and easy cancellation are other perks.
Reliability – Check various online forums to gauge the overall dependability of the video stream quality. Frequent buffering or downtime is clearly frustrating.
Cost – Once your content needs are covered, the price comes into play. Luckily there is increasing price competition in this growing market segment, often also undercutting cable.
With those criteria in mind, I’ve determined from extensive hands-on testing and research that the following 5 IPTV services merit strong consideration this year thanks to their channel availability, pricing and overall performance:
1. YouTube TV
Since launching in 2017, YouTube TV has emerged as a top contender with its competitive channel lineup and cloud DVR. With over 100 channels covering entertainment, news, and sports (including locals in most markets), it’s a cost-effective cable replacement starting at only $64.99 a month.
YouTube TV carries most major broadcast stations like ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC. It also features popular cable networks such as ESPN, CNN, TNT, AMC, HGTV Food Network and more. Locals are available in over 99% of US markets. Sports fans will appreciate channels like ESPN, FS1, NFL Network, MLB Network. There’s also an optional Sports Plus package with NFL RedZone and more for $10.99/month.
One advantage over rivals like Hulu and DirecTV is stream is unlimited simultaneous viewing on up to 3 devices. Up to 6 accounts can share one subscription making it very family/roommate friendly.
The cloud DVR includes unlimited storage with recordings saved for 9 months. Unlike Sling TV, it allows fast-forwarding through recordings of even the on-demand library content.
The user interface provides an easy-to-navigate viewing guide and robust search functionality. Individual user profiles enable custom recommendations and watch history by member. Offline viewing downloads content temporarily for playback without WiFi.
Platform support spans phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and media devices like Roku, Apple TV, FireTV, Android TV, and gaming consoles.
The service reliably provides a high-quality streaming experience in my experience, even over WiFi. Setup is quick and straightforward as well.
In terms of limitations, YouTube TV lacks Viacom channels like MTV, VH1 and Comedy Central. There are also no options yet for integrating third-party streaming services like Prime Video or Netflix. Yet the cost savings over traditional cable TV helps offset any missing content.
Cost: $64.99 per month
Top Channels: ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, TNT, TBS, CNN, MSNBC, Cartoon Network, FX, USA, TLC, Discovery, History, HGTV, Food Network and more.
2. Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV combines a robust on-demand streaming library with a solid assortment of live and local channels starting at $69.99 a month.
The service provides over 75+ live channels – on par with YouTube TV. This includes major broadcasters ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC in most areas. There’s also a deep lineup of popular cable channels like ESPN, CNN, TNT, TBS, Bravo, FX as well as news outlets CNBC, Fox Business, Fox News and MSNBC. Locals are available in over 210 markets nationwide.
As you’d expect, Hulu + Live TV delivers extensive VOD content from networks like ABC, NBC, Fox and FX one day after airing thanks to Hulu’s underlying streaming service. There are also Hulu originals and movies available on-demand without any ads for subscribers.
Sports programming covers ESPN, FS1, NFL Network and an optional Sports Add-on for $9.99/month with NFL RedZone, Outdoor Channel and more.
Users can create up to 6 personalized profiles and stream on 2 devices simultaneously. The 50 hour cloud DVR storage is smaller than YouTube TV’s offering, but still helpful for recording shows, including some ability to skip ads.
Supported devices include media players (Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV), game consoles, iOS/Android mobile devices and the web. Streaming performance is generally reliable in my experience even for live events like sports.
Missing channels compared to traditional cable are mainly Viacom outlets like MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon. Yet the on demand catalog helps offset this limitation for many viewers.
With strong channel coverage, extensive VOD library and unlimited screens in-home, Hulu + Live TV is undoubtedly one of the top contenders for cord-cutters in 2023. It’s easy to see why over 4 million subscribers have signed up.
Cost: $69.99 per month
Top Channels: ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, ESPN, FS1, TNT, TBS, CNN, Cartoon Network, FX, USA, Bravo, E!, HGTV, Food Network and more.
3. fuboTV
While started as a sports-focused service, fuboTV has expanded into an all-around cable replacement with a broad mix of entertainment and news channels. Pricing now starts at $69.99/month for over 120 channels.
fuboTV carries major broadcast networks ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in most markets – crucial for sports fans looking to catch games. There’s also a deep sports lineup including national/regional sports networks like ESPN, FS1, NFL Network, MLB Network, NBA TV, BeinSports along with the Fubo Sports Network. An $8/month add-on pack adds NFL RedZone channel and more.
Beyond sports, fuboTV offers popular entertainment channels like HGTV, Food Network, AMC, FX, MTV, VH1, TV Land alongside news outlets CNN, MSNBC, Fox News. Locals are available in all top media markets.
Cloud DVR storage allows recording up to 1000 hours of shows and games. Users can stream on up to 3 devices simultaneously. Supported platforms span Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, iOS/Android and the web.
Some limitations are the lack of TNT/TBS for NBA basketball fans. There’s also no Viacom channels like Comedy Central or Nickelodeon yet. And the base package channel lineup still skews heavier toward sports than other genres. Yet sports enthusiasts find fuboTVprovides a cost-effective means to cut the cord while still conveniently following their favorite teams and leagues via national and regional sports networks.
If sports is a priority along with respectable entertainment coverage, fuboTV presents nice bang for the buck. But users mainly interested in general entertainment content may prefer options like YouTube TV or DIRECTV Stream.
Cost: $69.99 per month
Top Channels: ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, NFL Network, ESPN, FS1, MLB Network, NBA TV, BeIn Sports, AMC, HGTV, Food Network, FX, TV Land, MTV, VH1.
4. Sling TV
[Sling TV](https://www.sling.com/) made waves as one of the first affordable skinny bundle options, known for its customized TV packages. Priced starting at just $35 per month, Sling remains one of the most competitively priced live TV streamers.
The new “Sling Blue” plan provides over 40+ live channels like Fox and NBC in select markets alongside popular cable outlets TNT, TBS, CNN, Bravo, FX, USA Network and more for only $40. There’s also the “Sling Orange” base package with over 30 channels starting at $35 month – including ESPN, Disney Channel and Freeform. Personalized add-on packs like Sports Extra, Comedy Extra, News Extra enable further customization.
Cloud DVR storage allows recording up to 50 hours of shows and movies for an extra $5/month. Users can stream on up to 3 devices simultaneously. Platform support includes Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chromecast, iOS/Android devices and the web.
Over the years Sling TV has managed to fill some missing channel gaps, most recently adding support for NBC, MSNBC, USA, Bravo and more on certain plans. Yet it still lacks CBS, ABC and PBS access which some rivals offer. But cost-conscious consumers get reputable cable news and entertainment options at a fraction of traditional pay TV bills – an attractive selling point.
Sling TV presents nice bang for the buck, especially for temporary service during peak sports season. But users wanting maximum channel breadth may still prefer YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV.
Cost: Starts at $35 per month
Top Channels: ESPN, TNT, TBS, CNN, FX, Bravo, USA Network, Fox (select markets), NBC (select markets)
5. DIRECTV STREAM
Formerly branded as DIRECTV Now, AT&T TV NOW offers a robust channel lineup matching cable on higher-tier plans. Pricing starts at $69.99 per month with over 75 channels spanning sports, news, entertainment and more.
Catering to sports fans, DIRECTV STREAM provides top national sports networks like ESPN, FS1, MLB Network and NBA TV on all tiers. Higher-end packages add NFL Network, MLB Network, regional sports networks and NFL Sunday Ticket. There’s also a separate premium plan focused specifically on sports.
Entertainment and news outlets like AMC, CNN, TNT, TBS and HGTV are covered well. Most locals are also available based on your zip code, including ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC. Supported add-ons allow further customization, including STARZ/Cinemax. On higher tiers, DIRECTTV Stream rivals traditional cable packages for sheer breadth of programming.
Features include 20 hours of free DVR cloud storage and streams on up to 20 devices in-home from a centralized account. Supported devices span Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chromecast, iOS/Android phones, Samsung Smart TVs and browsers. Reliability and video quality rank highly based on my experience.
Some limitations are the lack of NFL RedZone or unlimited DVR storage unless upgrading to premium tiers. And channel packaging changes means Viacom outlets like Comedy Central and MTV are only available on higher cost plans now.
Yet sports fans desiring cable-like breadth of national/regional sports and news outlets get strong bang for buck, especially on mid-tier plans. For big households, the unlimited in-home streams bring nice flexibility.
Cost: Starts at $69.99 per month
Top Channels: ESPN, Fox, NBC, AMC, TNT, TBS, CNN, HGTV, Cartoon Network, TLC, FX, USA, SYFY, Bravo, Regional Sports Networks