AAmericans are known for their busy and very fast lifestyle. But despite a very busy daily schedule, they do have a serious love for sports. Just like people from other parts of the world, Americans are also fond of various sports. Their priority list includes the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and global soccer. If you’re currently living in the US and searching for the country’s best streaming platforms, then this content is for you. Here we will bring you the best sports streaming apps platforms or services in the USA. We’ll try to provide you with detailed info about each platform, which channels can be accessed or leagues can be watched. Prices of different services and packages will also be revealed. Where can I Watch NBA on TV and Live Streaming?
Best Sports Streaming Apps Platforms in the USA (Benefits, Types, Prices)
Before heading towards the detailed discussion, first, let’s see what actually a sports streaming service is and what are the benefits. Also, take a look at the various types of streaming platforms or services.
What is Sports Streaming Service and Major Benefits of Sports Streaming Services:
Sports streaming service or platform is something that helps you watch various sports games, leagues, or events live through online streaming. The major benefits provided by sports streaming services are:
- Viewers can watch without a cable TV subscription.
- It helps the viewers watch without a TV and one can catch actions via any device.
- Gives flexibility and is watchable from anywhere.
- Users can log in from different and multiple devices.
- Viewers can enjoy multiple streaming at the very same time on the same or different screens.
- Provides high-resolution video.
- Users can choose a plan according to their needs and requirements.
- One can pay on the basis of his requirements and priorities.
Different Types of Sports Streaming Platforms or Services:
Sports streaming services can be of different types. So far we could recognize at least 4 types of services or platforms.
Sports League Specialty Streaming Service (League Pass/Game Pass):
It includes the platforms that stream just games or events of a specific league or sports. For example NBA League Pass, NFL Game Pass, and NHL League Pass. These services provide coverage just from those specific leagues or competitions. Viewers can choose plans on a monthly or seasonal basis and need to pay accordingly.
Network-owned Streaming Platforms:
These kinds of streaming platforms are generally owned by various broadcasting network companies. These platforms often bring in different kinds of sports. The alluded kind of platforms most often stream exclusive content and coverage but sometimes also work as an alternative for on-TV broadcasting. For example ESPN-owned ESPN+, NBC-owned Peacock Premium, or CBS-owned Paramount+.
Network Apps and Sites (Requires cable TV subscription):
Well, there are people who do have cable TV subscriptions at home but often require flexibility due to work and outings. To provide these kinds of viewers conveniences, there are various apps and official sites where cable TV subscribers can log in with their credentials and passwords. These apps and sites are free for cable TV subscription holders and don’t ask for any additional fees. For example Watch ESPN, Fox Sports App, Foxsports.com, Watch TBS, nbcsports.com, NBC Sports App, etc.
Cord-cutting Services:
It’s a very popular sort of streaming service in the US. Viewers who don’t have TV subscriptions at home, generally subscribe to cord-cutting services and enjoy sports and entertainment online. These services contain different channels in different packages and the pricing depends on the number and availability of channels. For example fuboTV, YouTube TV, Hulu+ Live TV, etc.
What are the Best Sports Streaming Apps or Services in the USA?
Let’s take a look at the country’s best streaming platforms. Check out which channels are contained by which services, which leagues can you watch via which platforms, and price comparison.
ESPN+:
ESPN-owned subscription-only streaming platform. Truly one of the best budget-friendly sports streaming platforms in the US with galore of live and exclusive sports content. The service was launched in April 2018. Recently it has reached the 22 million mark and the number of subscription holders is ever-increasing, to be honest. ESPN+ brings exclusive UFC events, as well as more than 75 exclusive and 1000 out-of-market NHL games per season. Galore of domestic and international soccer competitions are covered by this service. Subscribers can watch LaLiga, Bundesliga, FA Cup, MLS, Copa Del Rey, EFL Championship, Carabao Cup, and even more. One can also catch coverage from college sports including football, basketball, and nearly a dozen other sports from 20 conferences.
Moreover, Golf events including PGA TOUR LIVE and coverage from the Masters and PGA Championship are available on this platform while it also streams international cricket including TATA IPL and ICC World Cup events, Top Rank Boxing, Grand Slam tennis, and even selected MLB games live.
ESPN+ has recently got a price hike. In August 2022, the monthly subscription fee increased from US$6.99 to 9.99 US Dollars. While the annual fee was set at US$99.99 from 69.99 USD. Moreover, one can also subscribe to ESPN+ as a part of the Bundle with Disney+ and Hulu. The bundle price remained the same at 13.99 USD/month or 19.99 USD/month for ad-supported and ad-free versions respectively.
Peacock Premium:
NBC-owned streaming platformPeacock Premium offers live sports content along with on-demand entertainment. It brings you coverage from the English Premier League soccer, the Olympics, Sunday Night Football, select WWE events, Indy Car races, and some PGA golf tournaments. It also shows Cycling, Horse Racing, MLB Sunday Leadoff, Motorsports, and more Track & Field coverage.
Peacock Premium is truly a must-subscribe option for EPL lovers while the SNF audiences also require to subscribe to it. Many Olympics events are exclusively available on this platform while every event from the Olympics is streamed either exclusively or non-exclusively.
Peacock comes with 2 different plans. The Premium plan helps stream all the available sports events live but features ads. This plan charges 4.99 US Dollars for a month while one can also grab it for the entire year at just US$49.99. The Peacock Premium Plus plan is free from bothering ads and is available at US$9.99 per month or 9.99 US Dollars for the year. During the pre-pay offer phases one may get a chance to subscribe for just as less as 1.99 US Dollars per month or $19.99 for the year!
Paramount+:
Paramount+ is owned by CBS and is a handy option for American Football and Association Football (Soccer) lovers. It has streaming rights for a number of crucial soccer leagues including the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Europa Conference League, Italian Serie A, Coppa Italia, and more. Subscribers can also watch Barclays Women’s Super League, Women’s World Cup Qualifiers, NWSL, Argentina Liga, Brasileirao, as well as SPFL. So it’s a must-subscribe platform for the UEFA club competition lovers and the Serie A club lovers can catch every game of their club live. Moreover, a good number of NFL fixtures are streamed through this platform and CBS channels. So NFL lovers also catch many games live via this platform.
Paramount+ comes with 2 different plans. The Essential plan features ads and doesn’t provide access to the local CBS channels. This plan is available at US$4.99 per month or 49.99 US dollars for a year. On the other hand, the ad-free Premium plan doesn’t bother you with ads and also provides access to the local CBS channels. The Premium plan makes the users pay 9.99 US Dollars for a month or one can also grab it for a year at just 99.99 USD.
All 3 above-mentioned platforms must be placed in the list of the Best Sports Streaming Apps in the USA. However, 3 services bring you different leagues and events, hence one can’t use one of these platforms as an alternative for others.
Best Cord-cutting Services in the US to Stream Sports:
The country’s well-reputed cord-cutting services include fuboTV, YouTube TV, Hulu+ Live TV, Vidgo, DTV Stream, and Sling TV. All of these services deserve a place in the Best Sports Streaming Apps Platforms list in the USA. Let’s take a look at the channels list and pricing.
fuboTV:
fuboTV contains ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, FOX, FS1, FS2, USA Network, CNBC, CBS Sports Network, beIN SPORTS, TUDN, Universo, UniMas, Galavision, NBC Local Channels, NBA TV, NBA League Pass, NHL Network, MLB Network, FOX Soccer Plus, fubo Sports Network, Olympic Channel, TUDNxtra, GolTV, RTP Internacional, RAI Italia, Tigo Sports, TV5 Monde, Impact Wrestling, Racing America, Tyc Sports, AT&T SportsNet, and many more channels.
fubo helps stream NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NASCAR, MLS, golf, tennis, boxing, MMA, college sports, and more. It also offers golf majors, tennis majors, and the Triple Crown race. Furthermore, various special sports events including Super Bowl, World Series, NBA Finals, Stanley Cup Playoffs, Olympics, etc. are also streamable via fuboTV. Nevertheless, soccer lovers can find live coverage of the Premier League, Champions League, MLS, Ligue 1, Liga MX, and many other leagues and tournaments.
fuboTV is compatible with your Computer, iPhone, iPad, Android phone and tablet, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, Samsung Smart TV, Xbox One, as well as Amazon Fire TV. Currently, it offers no less than 4 plans. The Pro plan is available at $69.99 a month for 124 channels while one can enjoy 177 channels with the Elite plan for $79.99 a month. The most expensive Ultimate plan is available at $99.99/month with 212 channels. Spanish language users can enjoy 43 Spanish-language channels for just 33 USD/month. Sports Plus add-on will charge an additional $11/month.
YouTube TV:
ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, FOX, FS1, FS2, USA Network, NBC, TNT, TBS, CNBC, CBS, CBS Sports Network, Univision, Universo, UniMas, Galavision, NBA TV, MLB Network, NFL Network, etc. are all available with YouTube TV. Sports Plus add-on will also help get access to various channels like beIN SPORTS, Fox Soccer Plus, TyC Sports, and many more. YouTube TV comes with a base plan and a Spanish plan. The base plan comes with a monthly subscription fee of 64.99 US Dollars. However, new users can subscribe to it for just $14.99 for their very first month. On the other hand, the Spanish plan is available at just 34.99 USD for a month. And the handy Sports Plus add-on comes at an additional $11 per month.
Hulu+ Live TV:
Hulu+ Live TV currently comes with Disney+ and ESPN+. It has 2 plans where Hulu+ either comes with ads or is free from the ads. Hulu+ Live TV with Disney+ and ESPN+ is available at 69.99 US Dollars while the ad-free version is available at 75.99 USD per month. The alluded service contains ESPN, ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, FS1, FS2, TBS, TNT, NFL Network, 4 RSNs, and many more channels.
DTV Stream:
DTV Stream or DirecTV Stream also comes with a monthly subscription fee of 69.99 US Dollars and carries ESPN, ABC, Fox, CBS, NBC, TBS, TNT, FS1, and more. RSN and many league channels such as the Big Ten Network, MLB Network, ESPNU, ESPNews, and NBA TV are available via the Choice plan which charges US$90 a month. It has 2 more plans which are named Ultimate and Premier coming with 140+ and 150+ channels respectively at US$104.99 and US$149.99 US Dollars. Fresh new users can grab Entertainment, Choice, Ultimate, and Premier Packages for their first 2 months for just 49.99 USD, 69.99 USD, 84.99 USD, and 129.99 USD respectively.
Sling TV:
Sling TV comes with Orange, Blue, and Combo packages. Sling’s Orange plan brings ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, TNT, and TBS. While Sling Blue gives access to FOX Network, Fox Sports 1, NBC, NFL Network, TBS, TNT, USA Network, and more. Each package currently charges 35 US Dollars for a month while the Combo package brings the 2 packages together for 50 US Dollars. Sling also offers a sports specialty add-on named Sports Extra charging $11 a month for either the Blue or Orange plan or $15 for the combined. NBA, NHL, and MLB channels, along with the PAC 12, BeIn, and Tennis Channel are available to the users through this add-on.
Vidgo:
Vidgo comes with ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, ESPN Deportes, FOX, FS1, FS2, Fox Deportes, Univision, UniMas, TUDN, NHL Network, NFL Network, NFL RedZone, MLB Network, etc. Currently, it offers 3 plans. The English Plus package offers 110+ live channels and on-demand at 59.95 US Dollars per month. While the English Premium plan is available with 150+ live channels and on-demand at 79.95 USD. And a Spanish-specialty Mas package charges US$29.95 for 45+ channels.
Which Streaming Service is the Best Value for Money?
Now let’s have a look at the price comparison of the Best Sports Streaming Apps Platforms in the USA.
Streaming Platform/Service | Platform Type | Subscription Fee |
ESPN+ | Network-owned Streaming Platform | 9.99 USD per month, 99.99 USD for 12 months |
Peacock Premium | Network-owned Streaming Platform | 4.99 USD per month, 49.99 USD for 12 months (ad-supported); 9.99 USD per month, 99.99 USD for 12 months (ad-free) |
Paramount+ | Network-owned Streaming Platform | 4.99 USD per month, 49.99 USD for 12 months (ad-supported); 9.99 USD per month, 99.99 USD for 12 months (ad-free) |
fuboTV | Cord-cutting Service | 74.99 USD per month (Pro); 84.99 USD per month (Ultimate); 94.99 USD per month (Elite); 32.99 USD per month (Spanish); 10.99 USD per month (Sports Plus add-on) |
YouTube TV | Cord-cutting Service | 72.99 USD per month & 14.99 for the first month (Base); 34.99 USD per month & 24.99 for the first month (Spanish); 11 USD per month (Sports Plus add-on) |
Hulu+ Live TV (with Disney+ and ESPN+) | Cord-cutting Service | 69.99 USD per month (ad-supported); 79.99 USD per month (ad-free) |
DTV Stream | Cord-cutting Service | 74.99 USD per month (Entertainment); 99.99 USD per month (Choice); 109.99 USD per month (Ultimate); 154.99 USD per month (Premier) |
Sling TV | Cord-cutting Service | 40 USD per month (Orange or Blue); 55 USD per month (Combo); 11 or 15 USD per month (Sports Extra add-on) |
Vidgo TV | Cord-cutting Service | 59.95 US Dollars per month (English Base); 79.95 US Dollars per month (English Premium); 29.95 US Dollars per month (Spanish Mas) |
What Streaming Platform is Best for Sports?
All these above-mentioned streaming services are definitely among the best Best Sports Streaming Apps in the USA. But still, as we have to choose the very best options for you, we will make the choosing list a bit shorter for you. From an audience’s point of view, we think among the cord-cutting services fuboTV or YouTube TV might just be the best option for you. On the other hand, for soccer lovers, ESPN+, Peacock Premium, and Paramount+ shouldn’t be beyond affordability. Paramount+’s UEFA competitions coverage is alternatively catchable via TUDN network channels which are available via different cord-cutting services. However, some of the EPL games on Peacock are exclusive while ESPN+ also streams some crucial sports events exclusively. In those cases, these 2 platforms might require special attention. NBA League Pass New Price for 2022-23.