Criterion Channel is a curated movie-streaming service that offers ad-free and on-demand access to films from The Criterion Collection in HD. It is currently only available in the US and Canada. The subscription costs $10.99 per month or $99.99 per year. Like Netflix, the Criterion Channel also offers a physical rental service. The number of movies you can rent each month, for a flat monthly rate, depends on how quickly you can return them. You don't need to subscribe to The Criterion Channel to buy or rent physical media on DVD and Blu-ray, but subscribers may get discounts.
With the introduction of Criterion24/7, Criterion Channel also entered the Live TV world, offering a great alternative to channels like Turner Classic Movies.
Price: $10.99/month
Channels for every dollar spent: 0
Free Trial: 7 days
Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android Phones, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Xbox
More on the streaming services featured in this list
Philo: Once called Tivli, Philo is a streaming service that was first started in Harvard University by a Facebook co-founder. In August 2020, they announced that they reached the milestone of 750,000 subscribers.
Frndly TV: Frndly was launched by a former executive of the popular Live TV platform Sling TV. The idea was to offer a Live TV streaming service that doesn't require parental control, with the main draw being the three Hallmark channels.
Sling Orange + Blue: At $60 a month, subscribers to Sling TV Orange and Blue treat themselves to the best of both worlds. You can live in the moment with 51 live channels, or tune in whenever you want, choosing from a host of on-demand content. If you’re hesitant to cut the cord completely, this package definitely eases the transition.
Paramount+ with SHOWTIME: Paramount Plus started out as CBS All Access in 2014, making its big hit with the lawyer drama The Good Fight. When CBS and Viacom merged, the service rebranded to its current name, offering content from both companies. From its first day, the new service offered live TV from local CBS affiliates. In 2023, it merged with Showtime and made the latter accessible to all of its Premium subscribers.
NOW TV: Now TV is the new cable alternative from Comcast (owner of Xfinity). For $20/month, you get over 40 live channels, 20 hours of DVR, and watch on up to three devices. You also get Peacock Premium included. And of course, no minimum commitment and you can cancel anytime.
Spectrum TV Choice: Spectrum is a cable TV, internet, telephone and wireless company based in the US. In 2019, Spectrum launched its TV Essentials services to target customers who prefer online viewing. As CEO Tom Routeledge describes it, Spectrum TV Essentials is a “low-priced, entertainment-only bundle unencumbered by the high cost of broadcast retransmission consent fees and expensive sports programming.” Spectrum TV Choice is an evolution of TV Essentials.
Note: ESPN is back on Spectrum!
SportsLive: SportsLive is a live-streaming and on-demand platform covering both pro and amateur sporting events. Fans are able to stay updated on their favorite teams, whether they're from big leagues, college, or even high school. Apart from featuring nearly 20,000 live events, it also boasts a catalog of exclusive programming, interviews, press conferences, and more. This platform, powered by CBS Sports Digital, comes at a relatively hefty price, but it will surely satisfy sports fans everywhere.
Spectrum TV Stream: Cable goliath Specturm has been trying to lure cord-cutting customers for many years now, starting with Spectrum TV Choice, which allows a selection of 15 channels from a list of big names like ESPN. Spectrum TV Stream is their more budget-oriented offering, featuring 90 channels for $39.99.
Sling TV + News Extra Bundle: The Sling news add-on is part of many extras offered by the cord-cutting service Sling, ike the Kids extra, the Lifestyle extra, the Hollywood extra, the Heartland extra, AMC plus, Showtime, Epix, Starz, and Spanish language add-ons.
What is the cheapest live TV streaming service for sports channels?
The most affordable streaming service for sports viewing is Sling TV. Out of its two available plans, Sling Orange has the most coverage since it carries ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3, but Sling Blue is also a formidable option as it carries NFL Network and FS1. Each costs $40/month (or $20 on your first month) and only $55 together as Sling Orange + Blue. These channels may be enough for casual sports fans, but if you're looking for more, you can always pay an extra $11/month for the sports bundle and add up to 11 more sports channels in your lineup, and $29/month if you want dedicated NBA coverage.
What is the cheapest live TV streaming service for news channels?
For news, Sling still offers a pretty good deal with the $40 Blue, which has MSNBC, CNN, Bloomberg Television, and Fox News. You can also pay an extra $6 for the news bundle, which gives you access to nine more channels including BBC World News and CNBC. But if you're looking for an even cheaper option, Philo should do. For $25/month, it gives you access to BBC America, BBC World News, and Cheddar News.
What is the cheapest live TV streaming service with local channels?
While YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream have great offers in this regard, the cheapest live TV streamer with local channels is Paramount+, which offers CBS affiliate channels in most markets for only $9.99. If you want more information on accessing local channels on live TV, we wrote a dedicated article on the topic.
What is the cheapest Youtube TV Alternative?
Again, YouTube TV is a great and comprehensive option for cord-cutters, but with the monthly price now at $73, it's understandable to look at alternatives. The cheapest YouTube TV alternatives are Sling TV ($40), Philo ($25), and Frndly TV ($6).
What are the cheapest cord-cutting bundles?
The cheapest streaming bundle is probably the Disney+ Bundle Trio (Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+) for $14.99. Another option is the new the Xfinity Now TV "Streamsaver" bundle for $55.
Which live TV streaming services are completely free?
Plenty of live TV streaming services are completely, wholly, and no-strings-attached free. The most popular three are Tubi and PlutoTV.