As the cost of everyday essentials continues to climb, many families are taking a closer look at their monthly budgets. From clipping grocery coupons to carpooling to save on gas, small changes can add up. One expense that often flies under the radar is streaming entertainment. The good news is, you can save money on streaming, while still enjoying the movies and TV shows you love – and in many cases, even live TV.

Many popular platforms offer ad-supported plans that lower monthly costs while still providing access to on-demand content or live TV such as news, sports and your local channels. Below we highlight some of the most popular live TV and on-demand streaming services to consider. You can also find more options and compare them using our MyBundle Tool to find the best option for your family. 

DIRECTV

One popular live TV streaming option is DIRECTV via Internet, which delivers the full DIRECTV lineup without requiring a satellite dish. With your FOCUS Broadband Internet connection, you can stream your channels using their Gemini device and numbered remote. DIRECTV packages begin at $89.99 per month.*

YouTube TV

YouTube TV is another popular live TV option that allows you to stream over 100 live channels including sports, news, and local channels. YouTube TV costs $82.99 per month and includes unlimited DVR at no extra cost.

Hulu + Live TV

Hulu + Live TV allows subscribers to not only stream over 95 live TV channels, but it also gives access to the entire Hulu library along with Disney+ and ESPN+. This bundle runs $89.99 per month, with the option to add specialty channels for an additional monthly charge.

In addition to live channels, Hulu also offers a standalone on-demand streaming plan as low as $11.99 per month (or $119.99 per year). This plan provides access to Hulu’s full on-demand library including hit series, movies, and Hulu originals – all at a lower price point in exchange for commercials. For those who prefer the complete all-in-one experience, Hulu + Live TV gives you both live channels and the extensive ad-supported Hulu library together.

FuboTV

For the sport fanatics, Fubo may be the best option for your household. Fubo is the world’s only sports-focused live TV streaming service. They offer three plans depending on your needs – Pro, Elite and Premier. Fubo’s Sports plan offers access to 28 sports and news channels such as ABC, CBS, and FOX. The Pro plan includes over 200 live TV channels including local NBA, NHL and MLB games for $73.99 per month.

ESPN Unlimited

ESPN Unlimited is a streaming package designed for dedicated sports fans who want broad access to ESPN networks and related coverage without a traditional cable subscription. The plan includes channels and services such as ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPN+, and select ESPN-on-ABC content, giving viewers a wide range of live games, studio shows, and original programming. With a starting price around $29.99 per month, it’s a more budget-friendly option for households primarily focused on sports coverage rather than full entertainment channel lineups.

FOX One

FOX One is a live streaming service that brings together a broad range of FOX-branded channels and content for $19.99 per month. You can stream live channels like FOX News, FOX Sports, FOX Weather, FS1, FS2, FOX Business, FOX Deportes, Big Ten Network (BTN), local FOX stations, and FOX Network – giving you live sports, news, and entertainment all in one place.

Sling TV

One of the most affordable live TV streaming services is Sling TV at just $45.99 per month. With the ability to personalize your package, you can choose from a variety of genres such as sports, comedy, kids, and more. However, while this is ideal for those who are looking to lower their monthly spending, keep in mind that Sling does not offer local news, weather or sports channels. If those are frequent channels for you, this may not be the best option.

Peacock

For on-demand options, we begin with NBC’s streaming service, Peacock, which offers three different streaming plans – one of which is a budget-friendly, ad-supported option that many families may want to consider. The most inexpensive plan, Peacock Select, is available for just $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year. The Peacock Select plan includes access to channels like NBC and Bravo but excludes access to sports, movies and Peacock originals. For viewers interested in basic streaming, this lower-cost streaming plan may be a good fit.

Their most popular plan, Peacock Premium, is priced at $10.99 per month or $109.99 per year. Peacock Premium is just a step up from Peacock Select, allowing users access to a variety of movies, TV shows and even live sports. While this plan does include ads, it is only an additional $3.00 per month for those who enjoy a broader streaming selection.

Prime Video (Amazon)

Next, we look at Prime Video, Amazon’s streaming service. In most cases, Prime Video is included with an Amazon Prime subscription, which also provides additional benefits such as free two-day shipping on all your favorite products and access to select e-books. However, a standalone Prime Video subscription is an option for only $8.99 per month, whereas a traditional Amazon Prime subscription is $14.99 per month – both plans include ads on Prime Video content by default.

Customers who prefer an ad-free streaming experience can choose to pay an additional $2.99 per month, on top of their current subscription cost. For households looking to save money on streaming services, keeping ads enabled may be the more budget-friendly option.

Netflix

Now, we turn to Netflix who currently offers three streaming plans, including a budget-friendly, ad-supported option. The most affordable plan, Netflix Standard with ads, is priced at just $7.99 per month. This plan provides access to all Netflix games and many movies and TV shows, making it a solid choice for those looking to reduce their streaming costs.

By comparison, Netflix’s ad-free Standard plan costs $17.99 per month. Choosing the ad-supported plan can result in monthly savings of up to $8.50 or over $100 a year for families who are focused on keeping their entertainment budgets in check.

HBO Max

Like Netflix, HBO Max also offers ways to save money through ad-supported streaming plans. The best value for budget-conscious viewers is the Basic with Ads tier, ringing in at $10.99 per month or $109.99 per year for additional savings.

By choosing HBO Max’s Basic with Ads plan, subscribers can save $7 to $11 per month depending on your billing plan. This makes the ad-supported option an attractive choice for households looking to enjoy premium movies, HBO originals and other popular TV shows.

As you can see, just by signing up for streaming services with ads – or choosing an affordable live TV streaming option – families really can save money on streaming without leaving behind the apps and channels they enjoy. You also have several options to enjoy your favorite live channels, whether it’s your weekly comfort show or your favorite sports team in the playoffs.

To learn more about MyBundle and how it enhances your home streaming experience, click here. And to stay on top of the latest streaming entertainment news, be on the lookout for our monthly newsletter!

*Prices are current as of March 2026. Prices and plans are subject to change. Please visit the streaming platform's website for the most up-to-date pricing and information.