These Are the Networks Available on DirecTV Now, Sling, Hulu, YouTube TV and PlayStation Vue

When cable was first introduced in the late 1940s there weren’t many options for audiences to choose from. But as networks grew, so did the channels available. Nowadays, it seems like there's something for everyone on cable TV, with most traditional companies offering more than 80 channels in their basic cable package. But now audiences want something different. Instead of paying for dozens of channels that often go unwatched, cable subscribers are cutting the cord and choosing virtual multichannel video programming distributors (vMVPD) instead. Those services offer a smaller number of networks as a subscription; all users need to get started is a laptop, phone, tablet or streaming device. They are often more cost effective than cable and service can start and stop easily without a contract. If you’re thinking about subscribing to a vMVPD in the near future, here’s what you need to know about the most popular services. DirecTV Now DirecTV Now is DirecTV’s option for consumers who want to cut the cord. It offers four different packages starting at $40 a month for 65+ channels. The service also offers a package for Spanish speaking customers which features all the channels offered in other packages, but in Spanish. Each package comes with 20 hours of Cloud DVR, On Demand and two separate streams that allow subscribers to watch two different shows on different devices at the same time. Additional streams and DVR space can be purchased for a small monthly fee. The service offers networks from NBC, allowing you to get your Shark Tank fix, to MTV for those who can’t get enough of Catfish, to TLC, where you can catch up on 90 Day Fiancé. Networks: A&E, ABC, AccuWeather, AMC, Animal Planet, Audience, AXS TV, Baby First, BBC America, BET, Bloomberg, Bravo, CSPAN, CSPAN 2, Cartoon Network, CBS, CMT, CNBC, CNN, Comedy Central, CW, Discovery, Disney, Disney Junior, Disney XD, E!,ESPN, ESPN 2, Food Network, Fox, Fox Business, Fox News, FS1, Freeform, FX, FXX, Globovisión, Hallmark, Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, HGTV, History, HLN, Investigation Discovery, Lifetime, MSNB, MTV, MTV2, National Geographic, NBC, NBC SN, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, OAN, Ovation, Paramount, REELZ, RFD TV, SyFy, TBS, TCM, Teen Nick, Telemundo, TLC, TNT, Tru TV, TV Land, Univision, USA, Velocity, VH1, Viceland, We TV. *More channels are available in larger packages. Hulu with Live TV Hulu announced its live TV option in 2017. The service doesn’t have different tiers like DirecTV Now, but it does offer more than 50 channels where you can watch live sporting events or programming like E:60 or First Take on ESPN; FX’s American Crime Story or Disney favorites Raven’s Home and Girl Meets World. In addition to its channel lineup—which is ideal for sports fans and cable news watchers—Hulu with Live TV comes with a subscription to Hulu services, 50 hours of DVR and two streams for $40 a month. There’s also room for premium cable add ons like HBO and unlimited streams so everyone in your household can view what they want, when they want. Networks: ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, A&E, Big Ten Network, Boomerang, Bravo, Cartoon Network, CBS Sports Network, Cheddar, CNBC, CNN, CNN International, CW, Disney, Disney Junior, Disney XD, E!, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN News, ESPN U, ESPN College Extra, Bases Loaded, ESPN Goal Line, Food Network, FOX Business, Fox News, FS1, FS2, Freeform, FX, FXM, FXX, FYI, Golf, HGTV, History, HLN, Lifetime, Lifetime Movies, MSNBC, National Geographic, National Geographic Wild, NBC Sports Network, Olympic Channel, Oxygen, Pop, SEC Network, Smithsonian Channel, SyFy, TBS, Turner Classic Movies, Telemundo, TNT, Travel, Tru TV, Universal Kids, USA, Viceland. Sling Sling is Dish Network’s option for people who aren’t interested in adding a satellite dish to the outside of their home. It has three packages starting at $25 and a good amount of add-on packages for movie, entertainment and comedy lovers alike. However, each add-on package is an extra $5/month so your monthly price can jump quickly. Even if you choose not to go the a la caret route, the platform still offers great programming like Viceland’s Desus & Mero, Freeform’s The Bold Type and Tribeca Shortlist, the perfect channel for Indie film lovers. DVR is not available for all subscribers, but can be added for an extra $5/month. Networks: ACC EXTRA, A&E, AMC, BBC America, Big News, Bloomberg, Cartoon Network, Cheddar, CNN, Comedy Central, Epix Drive-IN, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, Disney, Food Network, Freeform, Fuse, History, IFC, Lifetime, Newsy, TBS, Travel, Tribeca Shortlist, Viceland. *More channels are available in larger packages. YouTube TV Google wanted a piece of the streaming pie too, so the company launched YouTube TV. What really sets this service apart from the rest is the unlimited DVR capabilities and the original content through YouTube Premium, the company’s site for premium content and shows created in-house. YouTube TV subscribers get access to YouTube Premium Originals like Sideswiped and Foursome. Beyond YouTube’s original shows subscribers can watch WE tv’s Dietland and Tastemade’s Struggle Meals (because we’ve all been there). Additional networks like AMC Premiere and Showtime can be added on the services for a $40 monthly fee. Networks: ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, AMC, BBC America, BBC World News, Cheddar, Big News, Bravo, Big Ten Network, Cartoon Network, CNBC, NBC Sports, CBS Sports Network, CNN, CW, Disney, Disney Junior, Disney XD, ESPN SEC Network, E! Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN News, ESPN U, Fox Business, Fox News, Fox Sports, Freeform, FS1, FS2, FX, FXX, FXM, Golf, HLN, IFC, MLB Network, MSNBC, My TV, National Geographic, National Geographic Wild, NBA TV, NBC Sports Network, Newsy, Olympic Channel, Orlando City, Pop, Smithsonian Channel, SNY, Start TV, Sundance TV, SyFy, Tastemade, TBS, Telemundo, Tennis Channel, TNT, Turner Classic Movies, Tru TV, Universal Kids, Universo, USA, WE TV, YES. Exclusives: Comet, Los Angeles Football Club, Seattle Sounders FC, TYT, YouTube Premium PlayStation Vue Despite its name, consumers do not need a PlayStation to use PlayStation Vue services. This MVPD has four packages starting at $45 a month. Each package is designed for different TV lovers, whether you're into sports, movies or children’s programming. Subscribers can tune into TruTV’s Adam Ruins Everything; Oxygen’s Snapped and DIY’s First Time Flippers. The service also offers a Spanish package, sports packages for audiences who want to watch their favorite team that isn’t local and standalone channels like Cinemax, Showtime and HBO. Rather than a DVR limit, this service automatically deletes recordings after 28 days, it also includes an unlimited number of streams that can be going simultaneously. Networks: ABC, FOX, NBC, AMC, Animal Planet, BBC America, Bravo, Cartoon Network, CNBC, CNN, Destination America, Discovery, Disney, Disney Junior, Disney XD, E Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, Food Network, Fox Business, Fox News, Freeform, FS1, FS2, FX, FXX, HGTV, HLN, Investigation Discovery, MSNBC, National Geographic, NBC Sports Network, OWN, Oxygen, SCI, Start TV, SyFy, TBS, TLC, TNT, Travel, Tru TV, USA, We TV. Exclusives: Cozi TV, PlayStation Emerging Filmmakers Program *More channels are available in larger packages.

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These Are the Networks Available on DirecTV Now, Sling, Hulu, YouTube TV and PlayStation Vue

Not all vMVPDs carry the same content

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