Cord cutters who want live sports without paying for a giant cable-style bundle now have even more skinny options to choose from. YouTube TV, Fubo, and DIRECTV all already offer sports-focused plans, and Sling has now jumped in with its own low-cost lineup built around Sling Essentials.
The latest plan joins the platform’s other skinny plan, Sling Select, and gives subscribers the option to bundle them together with the Sling Essentials & Select plan. This addition to the group gives sports fans a wider menu of choices, but the best value depends on whether you care most about price, local channels, ESPN, NFL Network, regional sports, DVR, or extra features like multiview.
Sports fans who are tired of overpaying for the overhead costs for networks they won’t watch should give these bundles a look. From football season, live soccer matches, motorsports, thunderous dunks, ferocious pitches, and everything in between, here’s what’s included with each sports-heavy plan to help you decide which works best for you.
*Keep scrolling down to find a full list of all the channels each package offers.
Choosing between Sling TV, DIRECTV, Fubo, and YouTube TV comes down to which sports you value the most. These bundles aren’t the same, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Here’s a quick overview of each service, including plans and pricing, so you can start streaming on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV, or your favorite device.
What to Know About Sling Essentials, Select, and Essentials & Select
Sling’s new skinny-bundle strategy is more modular than the other three services. Essentials is the cheapest way to get ESPN and ESPN2, and Select is the cheaper way to get FOX News, NFL Network, FS1, FX, and National Geographic. The Essentials & Select package combines both ideas into one fuller bundle with 15+ channels, including local channel access (FOX, ABC, and NBC) in select markets. Sling also includes 50 hours of free cloud DVR on Essentials, and Select carries 3 streams.
Sling Essentials includes ESPN, ESPN2, Grit, Hallmark Mystery, Freeform, Disney Channel, MeTV, Game Show Network, Heroes & Icons, LMN, StartTV, and Bounce. Sling Select features local channels (ABC, FOX, NBC) in select markets, FOX News, National Geographic, Grit, NFL Network, FX, FS1, MeTV, Game Show Network, Heroes & Icons, Lifetime Movie Network, and Vice.
With your Sling credentials, you get access to FOX One, which features your local FOX affiliate, Big Ten Network, FS2, and more. Sling also sells add-ons that matter for sports fans. Sports Extra adds NFL RedZone, SEC, ACC, and more, while other options include Paramount+, STARZ, and HBO Max.
What to Know About DIRECTV MySports Genre Pack
DIRECTV MySports was the first of the pack-style bundles, focusing on sports to launch. The MySports Genre Pack is a single bundle with 20+ sports and broadcast networks, plus ESPN Unlimited included, for only $64.99 per month. Top networks include NFL Network, SEC Network, FS1, CBS Sports Network, NHL Network, NBA TV, ESPN’s networks, TNT, TBS, and local CBS, NBC, ABC, and FOX in most markets. DIRECTV MySports & MyNews Duo is another genre-pack that combines the sports offerings with popular news networks, including CNN, FOX News, MS NOW, and other top news networks. The combo plan goes for $79.99 per month, but you can lock in the first two months for $59.99 per month.
Like other DIRECTV plans, MySports includes unlimited hours of cloud DVR (9 months of storage), unlimited streams on your home networks, and up to three out-of-home streams. Plus, you can watch up to four events simultaneously on one screen with Multiview for the ultimate game-day experience. 4K streaming is available for select broadcasts. All plans include access to MyFree DIRECTV channels.
Optional MySports Mini-Packs
For even more sports, DIRECTV offers optional mini-packs that you can add to the MySports pack for an additional fee. The MySports Extra mini-pack adds 8+ channels, including MLB Strike Zone, MAVTV, and NFL RedZone for only $12.99 per month. For a limited time, you score the first month of MySports Extra for no additional charge.
For $19.99 per month, the MyHome Team mini pack features 46 professional teams across the MLB, NHL, and NBA, giving local fans a way to watch on Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) or team-specific channels. Most RSNs are included, but DIRECTV does carry NBC Sports Philadelphia.
By adding on a mini-pack, you get the broadest coverage of top leagues, plus RSNs and ESPN Unlimited bundled into one product on the DIRECTV platform.
What to Know About the Fubo Sports + News
Fubo Sports + News is another sports-first bundle with a lower entry price in the market. Where available, the plan starts at $55.99 per month and features a 20+ channel lineup that includes the ESPN family, major college nets (ACC, SEC, Big Ten), FS1/FS2, plus Fubo’s own sports channel and news with ESPN Unlimited integration for no additional charge.
However, Fubo stopped carrying NBCUniversal’s (and Versant’s) networks, joining Warner Bros. Discovery as media giants without a sports presence on the platform. That means you’ll have to look elsewhere for TNT, TBS, USA Network, NBC, Golf Channel, and many others. You can find WBD’s and Versant/NBCU’s sports roster on HBO Max and Peacock, respectively.
With Sports + News, you can watch up to 10 simultaneous streams at home, several events are available to stream in 4K, and you can record and rewatch with unlimited cloud DVR (recordings never expire).
Optional Fubo Add-Ons
Fubo offers standalone sports plans and add-ons, including MLB.TV, NBA.TV, DAZN, beIN Sports, international sports, and others to round out your lineup.
For in-market games, select local teams are available with the Sports + News plan. If your RSN isn’t included, you’ll have to upgrade to a higher-tier plan. Fubo Sports + News subscribers who live in eligible markets will receive broadcasts from the following teams:
- Florida Panthers (NHL)
- Portland Trailblazers (NBA)
- Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL)
- Utah Jazz (NBA)
- Utah Mammoth (NHL)
- Vegas Golden Knights (NHL)
What to Know About the YouTube TV Sports Plan
The upcoming YouTube TV Sports Plan is designed to give sports fans the sports channels from the main YouTube TV plan at a lower price point. At $64.99 per month, the streaming-first, skinny-bundle features a 20+ lineup of major broadcasters, the full ESPN family, and lots of regional/local channels.
The YouTube TV Sports Plan has a smaller selection of local teams on RSNs compared to DIRECTV MySports. Notably, NBC Sports RSNs (Bay Area, California, Boston, and Philadelphia) are included, but MLB Network, NHL Network, and Tennis Channel are not.
The Sports Plan preserves YouTube TV features (unlimited DVR, family sharing, multiview, etc.), and ESPN Unlimited will be added later this fall. For $7/mo. more, you can also upgrade to the Sports + News plans and get top news networks, including MSNOW, Fox News, CNN, and more. Plus, as the official home of NFL Sunday Ticket, you can add on the NFL’s out-of-market game package. If you already like YouTube TV’s UI and DVR and want a sports-first, flexible streaming experience without extra.
Channel Lineup
All three plans offer a robust lineup of live sports channels, including national and local networks. Local channels will vary based on market, but here’s a rundown of how each service stacks up.
| Networks | DIRECTV MySports | YouTube TV Sports Plan | Fubo Sports + News | Sling Essentials & Select |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABC | ✔ (market var.) | ✔ (market var.) | ✔ (market var.) | ✔ (market var.) |
| CBS | ✔ (market var.) | ✔ (market var.) | ✔ (market var.) | — |
| FOX | ✔ (market var.) | ✔ (market var.) | ✔ (market var.) | ✔ (market var.) |
| NBC | ✔ (market var.) | ✔ (market var.) | — | ✔ (market var.) |
| ACC Network | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | —* |
| Altitude Sports | —* | — | —* | — |
| Big Ten Network | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | —* |
| CBS Sports Network | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | — |
| CNBC | —* | —* | — | —* |
| CNN | —* | —* | — | —* |
| ESPN | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| ESPN2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| ESPNEWS | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | —* |
| ESPNU | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| DIRECTV MySports | YouTube TV Sports Plan | Fubo Sports + News | Sling Essentials & Select | |
| FanDuel Sports Network (regional group) | —* | — | —* | — |
| FOX Business | —* | —* | ✔ | —* |
| Fox News Channel | —* | —* | ✔ | ✔ |
| FS1 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| FS2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | —* |
| Fubo Sports Network | — | — | ✔ | — |
| Golf Channel | ✔ | ✔ | — | —* |
| ION | — | — | ✔ | —* |
| DIRECTV MySports | YouTube TV Sports Plan | Fubo Sports + News | Sling Essentials & Select | |
| Marquee Sports Network | —* | — | —* | — |
| MLB Network | ✔ | — | —* | —* |
| MSG Network | ✔ (market var.) | — | ✔ (market var.) | — |
| MSNOW | —* | ✔ | — | —* |
| NBA TV | ✔ | ✔ | —* | —* |
| NBC Sports Bay Area | —* | ✔ (market var.) | —* | — |
| NBC Sports Boston | —* | ✔ (market var.) | —* | — |
| NBC Sports California | —* | ✔ (market var.) | —* | — |
| NBC Sports Philadelphia | — | ✔ (market var.) | —* | — |
| Monumental Sports Network | —* | — | —* | — |
| NewsNation | —* | —* | ✔ | —* |
| NFL Network | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| NHL Network | ✔ | — | —* | —* |
| NESN | —* | — | —* | — |
| Pickleball TV | — | ✔ | — | — |
| DIRECTV MySports | YouTube TV Sports Plan | Fubo Sports + News | Sling Essentials & Select | |
| SEC Network | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | —* |
| Spectrum SportsNet LA (SportsNet LA) | —* | — | —* | — |
| Telemundo | ✔ (market var.) | ✔ (market var.) | — | —* |
| Tennis Channel | — | — | ✔ | —* |
| TBS | ✔ | ✔ | — | —* |
| TNT | ✔ | ✔ | — | —* |
| truTV | ✔ | ✔ | — | —* |
| TUDN | — | ✔ | ✔ | —* |
| USA Network | ✔ | ✔ | — | —* |
| YES Network | —* | — | —* | — |
*Note: Channel is featured on the platform. RSNs are available on DIRECTV with MyHome Team mini pack; on Fubo in higher-tier plans. News networks are available with the Sports + News plan or base package.
Which Sports Bundle is Best?
When deciding between Sling TV, DIRECTV, Fubo, and YouTube TV, your fandom will determine which platform is the best for you. Sling’s slim bundles give you the cheapest way to stream ESPN, NFL Network, FS1, and local channels ABC, NBC, and FOX in available markets. However, if you want the broadest home-market coverage and a single, TV-style package that bundles RSNs and add-ons in one place, go with DIRECTV. MySports (and MySports Extra) is the simplest choice for viewers who prioritize local-team access and don’t want to patch together multiple services.
If your goal is a lean, sports-forward bundle at a lower entry price with a sports-centric interface, choose Fubo Sports + News. The skinny bundle is a value play due to its channel set and available add-ons for more comprehensive coverage, including international sports.
For a streaming-first experience with unlimited DVR, strong household sharing, and a familiar app, pick YouTube TV. The Sports Plan gives you the major national sports nets inside YouTube TV’s polished UX. For local coverage, NBC RSNs are included in select markets as a bonus.
With select 4K events, unlimited DVR, ESPN access, no long-term contracts, no installation fees or hidden charges, no matter which service you choose, these skinny bundles are a better alternative than cable.
