October is here, and you do not necessarily need to break the bank to watch live TV. Several streaming services are running deals and lower-cost plans this month, giving cord cutters a chance to save while still getting live sports, news, entertainment, and local channels.
Some options are built for viewers who want a full cable replacement, while others are better suited to those who need only a handful of channels or want live TV for a specific season. Here are seven services worth checking out in October, along with the deals available and who each one makes the most sense for.
Hulu + Live TV
Get Hulu + Live TV for $49.99 for your first month HERE
Hulu + Live TV is a good fit for households that want live channels without giving up a large on-demand library. The service combines live TV with Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN content, making it particularly useful when different people in the house want to watch different things. Hulu’s Live TV plan includes 100+ live channels, local channels in many markets, and unlimited DVR.
Why consider Hulu + Live TV:
- 100+ live TV channels
- Local ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC availability varies by market
- Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN content included
- Unlimited DVR with recordings stored for up to nine months
- Useful mix of live sports, news, entertainment and on-demand programming
Hulu is currently offering new and eligible returning subscribers the first month for $49.99, down from the regular $99.99 monthly price for the Hulu (With Ads) + Live TV plan. The current offer is scheduled to end October 26, 2026, and eligible subscribers then move to the regular monthly rate unless they cancel.
For households that want live television plus a sizable streaming library in one subscription, the discounted first month gives you a lower-cost way to try it before deciding whether to keep it.
YouTube TV
Save $15 on your first five months of YouTube TV HERE
YouTube TV remains one of the more traditional cable-replacement options, with a broad channel lineup and features designed around watching a lot of live television. The main plan currently includes 100+ channels, unlimited cloud DVR, six household accounts, and three simultaneous streams. It also offers features such as Multiview for watching multiple shows and games at once.
Why consider YouTube TV:
- 100+ live channels
- Unlimited DVR
- Six household accounts
- Three simultaneous streams
- Multiview for select live sports
- Local channels and sports availability based on location
- Optional add-ons such as NFL Sunday Ticket and premium networks
Through the YouTube TV promotion linked HERE, new users can save $15 per month for their first five months, bringing the price to $67.99 per month after a free trial and providing $75 in total savings during the introductory period.
NFL fans who live out of their favorite team’s market can also save on YouTube’s NFL Sunday Ticket package. For a limited time, new users can grab NFL Sunday Ticket for $30/mo for 8 months, slashing $138 off the original price.
Save on NFL Sunday Ticket HERE.
YouTube TV is a useful option for households that want one main live TV service and expect to use it regularly for sports, news, and network television. Just keep in mind that promotional pricing applies for a limited period before the regular monthly rate returns.
DIRECTV
Check out the current DIRECTV offers HERE
DIRECTV is another option for cord cutters who want a way to build a traditional-TV-style package without a satellite dish. Its streaming service offers multiple package sizes, local and national channels, sports coverage, and genre-focused options for viewers who do not want a giant channel bundle. DIRECTV currently lists packages ranging from 90+ channels on Entertainment to 185+ channels on Premier. Plus, with MyFree DIRECTV, viewers can stream 150+ free-ad supported live channels from within their live TV guide.
Why consider DIRECTV:
- Multiple full-size channel packages
- Local and national sports options
- Genre Packs for more focused channel lineups
- No annual contract on its streaming service
- Works through the DIRECTV app on supported devices
- Gemini Air option can bring live TV and other streaming apps together
DIRECTV’s 5-day free trial gives you ample time to see if it’s a right fit for you. Cord cutters that are looking for multiple options can find several offers available through DIRECTV:
- $30 off per month for three months with the Entertainment package + NFL RedZone and one month of DIRECTV Sports Pack on the house.
- Introductory savings on larger packages, including $30 off Choice, $35 off Ultimate and $40 off Premier for the first month.
- Skinny-bundle discounts: $20 off for six months on the MySports Genre Pack and $5 off for two months on the MyNews Genre Pack.
- These DIRECTV promotions are available HERE
Keep in mind that pricing, channel availability, and promotional terms can vary by location, package and eligibility, so check the offer details before signing up. DIRECTV also says local channels and regional sports availability can vary by market.
Sling TV
Savvy cord cutters can cut down their live TV expenses by switching to Sling TV. The budget-friendly live TV streamer is built for people who want to spend less by being selective about the live channels they actually need. Rather than forcing everyone into the large cable-style packages of yesteryear, Sling offers smaller plans that remain significantly cheaper than bigger live TV streaming services.
Why consider Sling TV:
- Select starts at $19.99 per month with 13 channels
- Essentials & Select starts at $34.99 per month with a larger lineup
- Sling Orange costs $45.99 per month with 32 channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, CNN, TNT and TBS
- Sling Blue costs $54.99 per month with 47 channels focused more heavily on news and entertainment
- Orange & Blue costs $64.99 per month for 52 channels
- Add-ons let you expand your lineup for sports, news, entertainment, kids programming and more
- Sling also offers free ad-supported channels through Sling Freestream
With Sling, you can get live TV for considerably less than you would pay for many competing services. Essentials and Select both start at just $19.99 per month, giving budget-conscious viewers a way to get a small selection of live channels without jumping into a $70, $80 or $100 monthly bill. The Essentials & Select package starts at $34.99 per month if you want a broader lineup.
For viewers who need even more channels, Orange is the better fit for sports fans with ESPN and other popular networks, while Blue focuses more on news and entertainment. You can also combine the two for a larger lineup, still keeping the cost below many full-size live TV services.
Plus, each Sling plan includes 50 hours of free cloud DVR storage, which can be upgraded to unlimited for $5 per month, access to an extensive library of free on-demand movies and shows, and flexible add-ons to expand your lineup. And with Sling Freestream included, you get access to an additional 600+ free ad-supported channels alongside your premium networks.
Philo
Start your Philo free trial HERE.
Philo is one of the more affordable choices for entertainment-focused live TV. It isn’t designed to replace every sports and local broadcast channel, but the service can be a much cheaper fit for viewers who mainly want entertainment, reality TV, movies, and lifestyle programming.
Why consider Philo:
- Essential plan starts at $25 per month
- 200+ live pay TV and free channels
- 70+ live TV channels
- 1-year unlimited DVR
- 75,000+ on-demand titles
- Bundle+ combines live TV with several streaming services
Philo’s Essential plan costs $25 per month and includes a seven-day free trial. The Bundle+ plan costs $33 per month and includes everything in Essential plus access to HBO Max Basic with Ads, AMC+, discovery+, and All Reality. Philo says Bundle+ saves $22 per month compared with buying those apps separately. Plus, Philo offers an additional 120+ free streaming channels that are completely integrated directly into your main channel guide.
For viewers who care more about shows and reality programming than local news or major sports networks, Philo can make more sense than paying for a much larger live TV package from more traditional services.
Frndly TV
Try Frndly TV with a 7-day free trial HERE
Frndly TV takes the skinny-bundle idea even further, focusing on family-friendly entertainment and lifestyle channels instead of trying to replicate a full cable package.
Why consider Frndly TV:
- 50+ channels
- Plans starting at $6.99 per month when billed annually
- 7-day free trial
- 72-hour lookback on all plans
- Unlimited DVR on higher-tier plans
- Watch on smart TVs, streaming devices, phones and computers
Frndly TV’s Basic plan starts at $6.99 per month when billed annually, while Classic and Premium cost $7.99 and $9.99, respectively. All three plans include a seven-day free trial. Classic adds unlimited DVR and two streams, while Premium supports four streams.
Instead of scrolling through an endless grid of channels that you will never watch, Frndly TV is for viewers who primarily want channels such as Hallmark and other family, lifestyle, and entertainment networks without the steep price tag of a full-size TV package
Fubo
Save on the first month of Fubo HERE
Fubo is geared toward viewers who put live sports near the top of their streaming priorities, yet still want a broader live TV lineup.
Why consider Fubo:
- Live sports-focused channel lineup
- Pro and Elite plans available
- Local and national TV availability varies by market
- Cloud DVR included with plans
- Add-ons available for expanding sports and entertainment coverage
After a free trial, new subscribers can save up to $30 off their first month, depending on the plan and offer available at signup.
Fubo is also offering special savings through ID.me for eligible military members, government workers, first responders and seniors, with $30 off months one and two of Fubo Pro. Fubo says these offers can vary, so eligibility and promotional availability should be checked before signing up.
Sports fans who want a dedicated live TV service rather than cobbling together several smaller apps should give Fubo a serious look, especially with its wide lineup of RSNs for NBA, NHL and MLB coverage. Plus, the ID.me discounts can also make the service more affordable for eligible customers.
Build a Cheaper Live TV Setup This October
You do not have to get every channel from your live TV streaming service. One of the easiest ways to lower your monthly bill is to combine a smaller streaming package with an over-the-air antenna, which can pick up free local broadcast channels such as ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC where available. Check out antennas on Amazon to add free local TV to your setup.
For sports fans, there are also ways to take OTA channels beyond your television. A USB TV tuner can let you watch antenna channels on compatible devices, including phones and computers. We recently rounded up six USB TV tuners worth checking out this fall. You can also add a Tablo DVR to record OTA channels and make free broadcast TV easier to manage alongside your streaming apps.
With this approach, you can make a smaller live TV service more practical. Instead of paying for a large bundle just to get your local channels, for example, you could use an antenna for free broadcast TV and put your streaming budget toward the channels and services you actually want.
Furthermore, that same strategy works with on-demand streaming, too. Rather than piling several expensive subscriptions onto your monthly bill, look for deals and cheaper alternatives.
For example, AMC+ is currently available for $39.99 for a year with a limited-time 60% discount, while our guide to 18 cheaper alternatives after the Disney+ and Hulu price hike highlights lower-cost services worth considering. We also have a roundup of 10 services you can watch without ads for under $10 a month for viewers who want to cut down on commercial breaks without paying for another premium live TV package.
When it comes to live TV, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all, and that’s what makes cord cutting so great. Sling TV is useful when you want budget-friendly comprehensive live TV, while Frndly TV and Philo target viewers who can live without a huge sports and local channel lineup. Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV are designed for those who want an everyday cable replacement. DIRECTV and Fubo offer viewers a way to stream most local games around a larger channel lineup.
So when you’re comparing the October deals above, do not just look at the monthly price of each service. Think about what you can get for free with an antenna, what you actually watch live, and which streaming subscriptions can replace the rest. That combination could let you build a live TV setup that costs considerably less than a traditional cable package.
