In a world of increasing live TV streaming options, FuboTV sets itself apart with a huge collection of sports channels and unique features like 4K and HDR.
Live TV streaming is all about choice, so it’s a good thing there are so many services available. Sling TV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and others all offer similar packages as an alternative to cable, but each has its own specialties, too.
FuboTV is yet another way to ditch cable, but it adds its own twist with more sports offerings in the base package than any competing streaming service — and even more available via add-ons. It’s also the first live TV streaming service to offer content in 4K Ultra HD and HDR. But is it right for you?
FuboTV initially launched as a streaming service for soccer, before pivoting to a more traditional live TV streaming service. Today, the platform has the most comprehensive sports coverage — including a recently announced deal that will bring the ESPN family of channels to the service this summer — but its channel line-up also does an excellent job at catering to everyone, regardless of age or interest.
Since its launch, the service has been rapidly adding more non-sports channels to its available packages. It now has Turner-owned networks, a wide selection Viacom’s entertainment channels, and Discovery Channel properties too. The same deal that added ESPN, also added may other Disney-owned properties including ABC, ABC News Live, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, ACC Network, FX, FXX, and National Geographic.
In addition to its primary channel package, the service also grants access to hundreds of local channels with availability varying depending on where you live.
In the past, FuboTV has been significantly more expensive than some of its live TV competitors. Price hikes at YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV, however, have mostly leveled the playing field: Hulu + Live TV, at $55 per month is the same as FuboTV’s base package, while YouTube TV is only $5 less at $50 per month.
Instead of using off-the-shelf tech, FuboTV opted to build its own — a risky move, but one that has seemed to pay off, especially when it comes to streaming big events. While Hulu and had brief outages during the 2018 Super Bowl, FuboTV customers got through the entire game without a hitch. It has also given FuboTV the ability to stream in 4K Ultra HD and it remains the only Live TV streaming service to offer broadcasts in 4K.
A partnership with sports betting company FanDuel makes FuboTV the only live streaming TV service that embeds sports betting data in its live broadcasts. Betting data is presented on its own FuboTV Network and Cycling channels, as well as horse-racing channels TVG and TVG2.
FuboTV also owns a free, ad-supported sports-only network, called Fubo Sports Network. It’s available via free services powered by Xumo, like LG’s Channel Plus app, but FuboTV also includes it in its subscription-based live TV service.
FuboTV is supported by most popular streaming devices, including the fourth-gen Apple TV and Apple TV 4K, Roku streaming boxes and streaming sticks, Amazon’s Fire TV devices, and Google Chromecast devices. You can also access your FuboTV subscription from within Apple’s TV app — a rarity among live streaming services. Smart TVs powered by the Roku, Amazon Fire, and Android TV platforms are also supported, and there’s also a FuboTV website to watch on your computer. It should work with most browsers, but the company recommends Google Chrome.
Both iOS and Android devices are supported for watching on the go. The Android app received a major overhaul with version 4.0, including a redesigned interface that better matches what you’ll see on your TV or the FuboTV website.
