The Best Live TV Streaming Service for Cord Cutters in 2025

In 2024 streaming fans have more choices than ever, including NBC/Comcast PeacockAT&T HBO Max, Apple TV Plus and Disney Plus. While Peacock differs slightly in that it has live news, the other services lack traditional live channels – instead focusing on back catalogs and new original programming — but they can still eat into your entertainment budget.

Netflix: Netflix is ​​so popular that it has become a catch-all term for streaming in the same way that “Magic Marker” or even “Coke” is in the South. Then there’s the ever-popular ‘Netflix and chill’. Ad supported plans now start at $7 per monthand the service offers thousands of TV shows and movies, including original TV series like Black Mirror and Stranger Things (note that you may need to trade up to the $15.50 plan to watch some content). Then there is Netflix original movies including Oscar winners Roma and The Power of the Dog.

Main video: The “other” basic streaming service that’s included as part of a $139-a-year basic membership, or on its own for $9 a month. The interface isn’t as user-friendly as Netflix, but the service also offers shows that its competitor doesn’t, including original content like The Rings of PowerThe Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and The Expanse. Amazon Prime also has possibility to add premium channels (HBO and Showtime and others), making it a potential one-stop shop.

Disney Plus: One of the biggest streaming services to launch in a while, Disney has bundled together a mix of movies, TV shows and exclusive content, including Loki, Andor and She-Hulk, starting at $8 a month. Read our Disney Plus review here.

Peacock: Peacock is NBC’s answer to Paramount Plus. Its main claim to fame is that its basic tier, with 7,500 hours of content, is free. Peacock Premium unlocks more content for $6 a month — including exclusive shows like Poker Face and Ms. Davis—while an ad-lite version called Peacock Premium Plus costs $12 a month.

Paramount Plus: Paramount Plus costs $6 per month or $12 per month for ad-free streaming. The service offers live TV for Premium subscriberssports and on-demand content from CBS, MTV, BET, Nickelodeon and Paramount Network, plus the movie studio Paramount Pictures. Paramount Plus also offers exclusive originals such as Yellowjackets, 1923 and Picard.

Voodoo and Movies everywhere: Digital libraries (or lockers) that include heritage Ultraviolet content and streaming movies and TV that are only available for purchase, such as new releases.

It’s also worth exploring free ad-supported services such as Roku channel, Amazon FreeveeTubi, Pluto and Crackle which offer rich content. Read on CNET’s roundup of free TV services here.