FuboTV review summary:
- Plans start at $79.99/mo. for Pro plan; $89.99/mo. for Elite plan
- Includes over 199 channels and 100+ sporting events
- Comes with 1000 hours of cloud DVR storage that stores indefinitely
- 10 simultaneous streams
- Elite plan includes fubo Extra (56 extra channels) and News Plus (11 extra channels)
Plan | Price | No. of channels | DVR | Simultaneous streams |
---|---|---|---|---|
fuboTV Pro | $79.99/mo. | 200 (with 100+ sporting events) | 1,000 hours | 10 |
fuboTV Elite | $89.99/mo. | 267 (with 130+ events in 4K, fubo Extra and News Plus) | 1,000 hours | 10 |
What we like
-
Excellent all-around channel lineup
-
Great for fans of international sports
-
Exceptional user experience
Things to consider
-
More expensive than other services
-
Turner networks no longer available (CNN, TBS, TNT)
FuboTV channels
From top to bottom, fuboTV has one of the largest, most well-rounded channel selections of any live TV streaming service. There are a few major omissions — more on that below — but if you’re looking for a streaming service that will replicate the all-encompassing channel lineups of cable or satellite TV, fubo is your best option.
Here are the major channels included in its base plan:
Category | Channels |
---|---|
Locals | |
Sports | |
Comedy | |
Drama | |
News | |
Family | |
Educational | |
Lifestyle | |
Crime |
High-value add-ons
Most live TV streaming services give you some options for customizing their base packages, but we were particularly impressed with the add-ons fuboTV offers. From premium add-ons including Showtime, Starz and EPIX to channel add-ons including NHL Network, you’ll have great options to customize your plan.
FuboTV vs. other streaming services
Live TV streaming services generally fall into one of two categories: “skinny bundles” like Philo and Sling that offer super-pared down channel lineups for around $20/mo., and cable replacements with channel numbers and prices more like traditional cable or satellite TV. Fubo falls firmly in the latter category.
Popular channels included with fuboTV:
- ABC
- AMC
- Fox
- CBS
- ESPN
- NFL Network
- Disney
- FX
- TLC
- Paramount
Popular channels missing from fuboTV:
- TBS
- TNT
- CNN
- HBO
- Cinemax
- A&E
- Cartoon Network
- History
- Lifetime
- Boomerang
Is FuboTV good for sports?
According to its website, “fuboTV is the world’s only sports-focused live TV streaming service.” And the sheer number of sports channels it offers is impressive. It has almost 30 in its core package dedicated entirely to various sports, plus a dizzying array of add-ons for niche audiences like esports and horse racing.
League | What it has |
---|---|
NFL | FOX, NBC, CBS, NFL Network, ESPN |
MLB | FOX, FS1, ESPN |
NBA | TNT, NBA TV, ESPN |
NHL | NBC, NBC Sports, USA, CNBC, NHL Network, ESPN |
NCAA sports | FOX, CBS, Big Ten Network, Pac-12 Network, ESPN |
Soccer | beIN Sports, FS1, NBC, NBC Sports Network, CNBC, USA, ESPN |
What fuboTV is best for is soccer fans. It has eight different versions of beIN Sports, a network of channels that airs matches from around the world, including the Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Champions League, Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana. No other live TV streaming service carries these channels, and they’re the best way for Americans to keep up with soccer around the globe.
Regional sports networks
Here’s how fuboTV compares to the other services:
fuboTV | AT&T TV | AT&T TV NOW | Hulu + Live TV | Sling | YouTube TV | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lowest plan with RSNs | $74.99/mo. | $87.50/mo.* | $80/mo. | $55/mo. | $30/mo. | $65/mo. |
FOX Sports | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
MSG Network | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
NBC Sports | ✔ | ✔** | ✔ | ✔ | ✔** | ✔ |
NESN | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
SNY | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
Spectrum SportsNet | ||||||
YES Network | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
*Average over two-year contract for CHOICE plan. Second year could be increased to then-prevailing rate.
**Not available in all markets
Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of 3/21/24.
Will FuboTV actually save you money?
At $79.99/mo., fuboTV is one of the more expensive live TV streaming services around — and unlikely to shave much off your monthly TV bill. And because most internet providers offer significant discounts when you bundle internet and TV services, you might even pay more for fuboTV.
Here’s how it compares to some common packages:
Streaming services | Starting price* | Allconnect® score | Number of channels** | Simultaneous streams | Cloud DVR storage |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
YouTube TV | $72.99/mo. | 3.95/5 | 100+ | Three | Unlimited |
DIRECTV | $69.99/mo. | 3.85/5 | 75-150+ | Unlimited in home, three mobile | 20 hours included, $10 for unlimited |
Hulu + Live TV | $76.99/mo. | 3.55/5 | 75+ | Two | Unlimited |
fuboTV | $79.99/mo. | 3.55/5 | 100+ | 10 | 1,000 hours |
Philo | $25.00/mo. | 3.40/5 | 70+ | Three | Unlimited |
Sling TV | $40.00/mo. | 2.75/5 | 32-50 | One to three | 50 hours |
Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of 3/21/24.
*Average price of broadband internet in U.S.
As you can see, fuboTV is one of the pricier TV options you can choose. But it does come with benefits you wouldn’t get with traditional cable and satellite.
For one, you’re not locked into any long-term contracts. Unlike most TV providers, if fuboTV raises prices, you can cancel anytime you want.
You don’t have to rent or install any complicated equipment, either. Like all live TV streaming services, all fuboTV requires is a reliable internet connection and a way to connect it to your TV.
Consumers on the whole prefer streaming to cable and satellite, too. According to the most recent American Customer Satisfaction Index, streaming services scored 74/100 as an industry, right in between hotels and internet search engines. Cable and satellite, on the other hand, were the lowest-rated industries in the index at 62/100.
Exceptional user experience
To get a feel for what it was like using fuboTV every day, we watched TV on it for about a week using an Amazon Fire TV Stick, a Roku Streaming Stick and a MacBook Pro. No matter what device we used, fuboTV provided one of the best user experiences of any service we tested.
The guide doesn’t stray too far from the classic design: about five channels are shown at once on the left, with the upcoming two hours of time slots on the right. Our only complaint was that when you choose something to watch, you have to completely exit it again to go back to the guide. Most services keep the program playing on a reduced screen or in the background while you channel-surf.
Where fuboTV really impressed was with its targeted navigation. It has an entire sports section that shows every game for the entire day, so you don’t have to go hunting for them in the guide. You can further break them down into specific sports, too. If we wanted to see the college football slate for Saturday, for example, it was all right there in one place.
FuboTV’s on-demand library was similarly easy to navigate. It’s categorized into shows and movies, then broken into a variety of genres within those. It was nothing groundbreaking, but on many live streaming services we’ve tested, it was hard to even find on-demand titles to begin with. We liked fuboTV’s thoughtfulness and simplicity at every turn.
Mobile app
We had a positive experience testing the fuboTV mobile app as well. It essentially replicates the design of the TV app and web browser, with sections for sports, TV and movies. We also found it simple to add programs to the DVR on the go — a lifesaver for anyone who’s running late but doesn’t want to miss the beginning of the game. Customers have largely been satisfied with the app’s performance: It received a 4.6 rating on more than 60K reviews in the App Store and 3.8 on around 14K from Google Play.
fuboTV extra perks
fuboTV also includes some extra perks like DVR storage and multiple simultaneous streams.
fuboTV | DIRECTV | Hulu + Live TV | YouTube TV | Sling Orange + Blue | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
DVR storage | 1,000 hours | 20 hours | Unlimited | Unlimited (stores for nine months) | 50 hours |
Simultaneous streams | 10 | Unlimited | 2 | 3 | 4 |
1,000 hours of DVR storage
FuboTV comes with 1,000 hours of cloud DVR storage — higher than many other streaming services. On the plus side, while recordings on many DVRs expire after about a month, fuboTV’s stores indefinitely, so you won’t ever have to rush to catch up on your shows.
10 simultaneous streams
FuboTV allows you to stream on multiple devices at one time using the same account. You can watch on up to 10 screens at once on your home internet connection, plus two screens on the go — a great perk for frequent streamers and families.
FuboTV FAQs
Which streaming devices are compatible with fuboTV?
FuboTV is compatible with the four major streaming devices, but outside of those, it doesn’t work with a lot of popular options. Here is the complete list of devices you can stream fuboTV on:
- Amazon Fire TV
- Android TV
- Android Mobile
- Apple TV
- Browser (Chrome, EDGE, Firefox, Safari)
- Google Chromecast
- iPhone, iPad
- Roku
- Samsung smart TVs (2015-19 models)
- Xbox One
You won’t be able to watch fuboTV on PlayStation 4, and its smart TV options are limited as well. If you plan on signing up, you’ll probably need a dedicated streaming device.
What internet speed do I need for fuboTV?
FuboTV suggests around 10 Mbps download speeds for most people, but requirements vary depending on the type of streaming you’ll be doing. Here’s what it recommends:
Resolution | Speed Required | Device |
---|---|---|
480p | 3+ Mbps | Smartphones and small tablets |
720p | 5+ Mbps | Larger tablets |
1080p | 10+ Mbps | Streaming devices (Roku, Apple TV, etc.) |
4K | 25+ Mbps | 4K devices |
Those numbers will need to go up if you’re streaming on multiple devices as well. Generally speaking, you’ll have to double the speed required for each additional device using the connection at once. Not sure what kind of speed you’re currently getting? Use our speed test below to find out.
Does fuboTV stream in 4K?
Yes. FuboTV is currently the only live TV streaming service that offers streaming in 4K resolution, but it’s currently limited to NFL, MLB and NCAA games. You’ll see a “4K” logo next to programs in fuboTV’s guide, or you can check out its events page to see upcoming programs broadcasting in 4K.
The bottom line
FuboTV is a great live-streaming service — maybe the best. It is a terrific option for sports lovers and includes many popular channels, like ABC, Disney, AMC, USA and FX.
Sports excluded, fuboTV offers one of the best channel lineups of any service. You’ll pay a premium for it — fuboTV is $5/mo. more than runner-up YouTube TV — but it will probably have every channel you want to watch.
If you want the best of the best, in both channels offered and cutting-edge technology, fuboTV is a head above the rest.
Written by:
Joe SupanPrincipal Writer, Broadband Content
Joe is a senior writer for CNET covering home technology and broadband. Prior to joining CNET, Joe led MYMOVE’s moving coverage and reported on broadband policy, the digital divide, and privacy issues for the br… Read more
Edited by:
Robin LaytonEditor, Broadband Content
Last updated 03/21/24.
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