FuboTV Review: The Best Choice for Sports Fans?

Cutting the cord from traditional cable and satellite television often brings the promise of lower bills and more flexible viewing. However, live TV streaming, watching video content over the internet instead of cable or satellite, presents a complex landscape of options. For many, the biggest concern is losing access to live sports. FuboTV markets itself aggressively as the ultimate destination for sports fans, but is FuboTV worth it for sports? This in-depth FuboTV review explores whether it lives up to that claim, comparing its offerings, features, and costs to help you make an informed decision about your entertainment choices.

FuboTV: An Overview for Cord Cutters

FuboTV launched in 2015, initially focusing almost exclusively on soccer. Over the years, it expanded its offerings significantly, evolving into a full-fledged live TV streaming service that aims to replace traditional cable for a broad audience. Its unique selling proposition remains its extensive sports coverage, which sets it apart from many competitors. The service is available across the United States, offering a wide array of live channels, on-demand content, and cloud DVR capabilities.

For those new to cord-cutting, which means canceling traditional cable or satellite TV in favor of streaming services, FuboTV represents one of several robust options available. You access FuboTV through various streaming devices, such as Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, or directly through smart TVs, which are televisions with built-in internet connection and apps.

Sports Coverage Deep Dive: Is FuboTV Truly King?

FuboTV’s primary appeal lies in its unparalleled selection of sports channels. For NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college sports, and international soccer fans, FuboTV brings a formidable lineup. You will find essential networks like:

• ESPN and ESPN2: Crucial for a vast array of college and professional sports.
• Fox Sports (FS1, FS2): Covers MLB, college football, basketball, and soccer.
• Big Ten Network, SEC Network, ACC Network: Essential for college sports fanatics, especially during football and basketball seasons.
• NFL Network: Dedicated 24/7 coverage of the National Football League.
• NBA TV, MLB Network, NHL Network: Provides in-depth analysis, classic games, and some live matchups for their respective leagues.
• CBS Sports Network: Offers live games, highlights, and analysis across various sports.
• TUDN, beIN Sports, and Fox Deportes: Unrivaled coverage for international soccer, including major leagues and tournaments.

One of FuboTV’s strengths is its inclusion of numerous Regional Sports Networks (RSNs). RSNs are local channels that broadcast games for professional teams in your specific geographic area, such as the Bally Sports networks or NBC Sports regions. Availability of RSNs varies significantly by location and specific FuboTV plan. This is a critical factor for local team fans, as blackouts, which prevent the broadcast of certain games in specific regions, often apply to live sports based on your location and the network carrying the game. Always verify which RSNs are available in your zip code before subscribing, as these can make or break a sports streaming experience.

While FuboTV boasts an impressive sports roster, it does have one notable gap: Turner networks. This means you will not find TNT, TBS, or truTV on FuboTV. For sports fans, this translates to missing out on significant NBA and NHL playoff games, March Madness, and some MLB playoff coverage. This is a crucial consideration for basketball and hockey enthusiasts.

“When evaluating FuboTV for sports, prioritize the specific leagues and teams you follow most. While its coverage is extensive, the absence of Turner networks means you still need to supplement your viewing if NBA or NHL playoffs are paramount.”

According to Tom’s Guide, FuboTV remains a top contender for sports thanks to its sheer volume of dedicated sports channels, but the absence of TNT and TBS is a common critique.

Local Channels: Essential for Live Sports and News

Access to local broadcast channels like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC is vital for many sports fans. These networks carry a substantial portion of NFL games, major golf tournaments, college football, and prime-time events. FuboTV typically offers these major local affiliates in most markets, ensuring you can catch crucial Sunday NFL matchups or your local news.

However, local channel availability is never guaranteed and varies significantly based on your specific geographical location. Before you commit to any live TV streaming service, you must verify which local channels are available in your area. FuboTV offers a simple way to do this: visit their website and enter your zip code. This step takes only a minute and prevents frustration later.

Remember that even if FuboTV carries a local channel, specific programming, especially sports, can still be subject to regional blackouts imposed by sports leagues and broadcasters. This is not unique to FuboTV; all live TV streaming services and even traditional cable providers operate under these restrictions.

FuboTV Channel Lineup: Beyond the Stadium

While sports are FuboTV’s forte, it also offers a broad selection of general entertainment, news, and lifestyle channels to cater to the entire household. The base “Pro” plan includes:

• News: Fox News, MSNBC, CNN, NewsNation, Cheddar News, The Weather Channel.
• Entertainment: FX, FXX, USA, Syfy, E!, Bravo, TLC, HGTV, Food Network, Disney Channel, National Geographic.
• Lifestyle: Paramount Network, MTV, Comedy Central, VH1.

The number of channels grows with higher-tier plans like Elite and Ultimate, which introduce more niche sports channels, entertainment networks, and Fubo’s own exclusive content. For example, the Elite plan adds networks like NBA TV, NHL Network, MLB Network, and additional sports-focused channels that are often paywalled on other services.

Here is a simplified comparison of major network availability between FuboTV and a leading competitor, YouTube TV. This table focuses on the core channels that influence many cord-cutters’ decisions.

INFOGRAPHIC: FuboTV vs. Competitors: Pricing Tiers & Core Channel Lineups – A visual representation comparing FuboTV’s Pro, Elite, and Ultimate plans with YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV’s base plans, showing included channels (checkmarks) and key missing networks (X marks) in broadcast, sports, news, and entertainment categories. Use a clean grid layout with color coding for easy comparison of value at different price points.

As you can see, the main difference, especially for sports, remains the absence of TNT and TBS on FuboTV, which are standard on YouTube TV. This is a critical point for fans of certain major league playoff games.

DVR Features: Never Miss a Game or Show

A Digital Video Recorder (DVR) is a must-have for many streamers, allowing you to record live television and watch it at your convenience. FuboTV offers robust cloud DVR functionality, letting you store your favorite games, shows, and movies without worrying about a physical box.

FuboTV’s Pro plan typically includes 1,000 hours of cloud DVR storage. This is a generous amount, allowing you to record dozens of games or entire seasons of shows. Unlike some services that impose expiration dates, FuboTV recordings generally last indefinitely, meaning they remain available as long as you maintain your subscription. This extended retention is a significant advantage for those who like to re-watch classic games or catch up on content over a longer period.

The service also supports simultaneous recordings, so you can record multiple live programs at the same time without conflicts. You can typically fast-forward through commercials on DVR recordings, a feature many users value deeply. Always check the latest terms, as features can change, but FuboTV aims to provide a premium DVR experience.

Pricing, Plans, and Add-ons: Understanding Your Total Cost

FuboTV offers several plans, each with a different channel lineup and price point. Understanding these tiers and the potential cost of add-ons is crucial for cost-conscious viewers.

• Fubo Pro Plan: This is the base plan, offering over 190 channels, 1,000 hours of cloud DVR, and typically 10 simultaneous streams at home. It includes a vast array of sports, news, and entertainment. The current price is generally around $79.99 per month.
• Fubo Elite Plan: Building on the Pro plan, Elite boosts the channel count to over 250, adding more sports channels (like NBA TV, MLB Network, NHL Network, and regional sports networks where available), news, and entertainment. It also comes with 1,000 hours of cloud DVR and 10 simultaneous streams. This plan usually costs around $89.99 per month.
• Fubo Ultimate Plan: The top-tier option, Ultimate, offers over 290 channels, including all the sports and entertainment from Elite, plus the Showtime entire catalog, additional sports channels, and Fubo’s own package of niche sports. It includes 1,000 hours of cloud DVR and 10 simultaneous streams. Expect this plan to be around $99.99 per month.

These prices are approximate and subject to change. FuboTV, like most live TV streaming services, operates on a month-to-month basis, meaning you do not sign any long-term contracts. You can cancel or change your plan at any time without penalty, offering excellent flexibility.

Add-on Packages and Premium Channels

FuboTV allows you to customize your experience with various add-on packages:

• Sports Plus with NFL RedZone: This popular add-on is a must-have for serious football fans, offering NFL RedZone, college sports channels, and more.
• International Sports Plus: Focuses on soccer from around the globe, with channels like Fox Soccer Plus and more beIN Sports.
• Premium Channels: You can subscribe to HBO (Max), Showtime, Starz, and other premium movie channels directly through FuboTV, consolidating your billing.

These add-ons increase your monthly bill. For example, adding Sports Plus with NFL RedZone can add an additional $10.99 per month to your plan. If you combine an Elite plan with Sports Plus and a premium movie channel, your total monthly cost could easily approach or exceed $120. While still potentially cheaper than a comparable cable package, these costs add up quickly.

When considering FuboTV vs YouTube TV sports, YouTube TV’s single base plan (around $72.99/month) includes TNT and TBS, which FuboTV lacks. If those channels are critical, YouTube TV might offer better value upfront, even if FuboTV has a higher quantity of niche sports networks.

Simultaneous Streams and Supported Devices

For households with multiple viewers or numerous devices, the number of simultaneous streams a service allows is a critical feature. FuboTV is quite generous in this regard.

All FuboTV plans typically include 10 simultaneous streams at home, plus an additional 3 streams on the go. This means up to 10 devices can be actively streaming FuboTV content simultaneously within your home network. This is an excellent feature for families, roommates, or multi-person households where everyone might want to watch something different.

FuboTV supports a wide range of streaming devices, making it accessible on almost any modern screen. You can stream on:

• Smart TVs: Samsung, LG, Hisense, Vizio, and Android TV models.
• Streaming Devices: Roku, Amazon Fire TV devices (Fire Stick, Fire TV Cube), Apple TV, Google Chromecast.
• Mobile Devices: iOS and Android smartphones and tablets.
• Web Browsers: Watch directly on your computer through Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge.

This broad compatibility ensures you can watch your favorite sports and shows wherever you are, on almost any screen.

FuboTV vs. The Competition: Who Wins for Sports?

Comparing FuboTV to other major live TV streaming services highlights its strengths and weaknesses, especially concerning sports. The “best” service truly depends on your individual priorities.

• FuboTV vs YouTube TV Sports: This is the most common comparison for sports fans.
  • FuboTV’s Edge: More niche sports channels, particularly international soccer (TUDN, beIN Sports), and often a greater number of RSNs. Its Elite and Ultimate plans include networks like MLB Network, NBA TV, and NHL Network that are often separate add-ons or missing on other services.
  • YouTube TV’s Edge: Includes TNT, TBS, and truTV in its base package. These channels are crucial for NBA and NHL playoffs, March Madness, and some MLB games. YouTube TV also offers unlimited cloud DVR storage for up to 9 months, which surpasses FuboTV’s 1,000 hours indefinitely.
  • Verdict: For sheer volume of sports, especially soccer and certain niche sports, FuboTV often wins. However, for a complete domestic sports package that includes critical playoff games on Turner networks, YouTube TV holds an advantage.
• FuboTV vs Hulu + Live TV:
  • FuboTV’s Edge: Significantly more sports-focused channels. Hulu + Live TV includes the Disney Bundle (Hulu, Disney+, ESPN+), which is excellent value for on-demand content and additional ESPN+ sports, but its live TV channel lineup for pure sports is less comprehensive than FuboTV’s.
  • Hulu + Live TV’s Edge: Stronger on-demand library due to Hulu’s extensive content, and the inclusion of TNT/TBS.
  • Verdict: FuboTV is better for sports-first viewers. Hulu + Live TV offers better value for those wanting a strong mix of live TV and on-demand entertainment.
• FuboTV vs DirecTV Stream:
  • FuboTV’s Edge: Often more cost-effective for similar sports coverage, especially at lower tiers.
  • DirecTV Stream’s Edge: Offers robust RSN coverage, often including many RSNs that other services miss, which can be critical for local team fans. It is one of the few services to consistently carry most RSNs. However, its pricing structure can become very expensive, very quickly, especially for its higher-tier packages needed for comprehensive sports.
  • Verdict: DirecTV Stream can be superior for RSN coverage if FuboTV misses your essential local sports networks, but be prepared for a higher monthly bill.

PCMag highlights FuboTV as an Editors’ Choice for its sports-centric channel lineup, but also notes its higher price point compared to some competitors, reinforcing the need for careful evaluation of your must-have channels. You can read more about various options on PCMag’s guide to the best live TV streaming services.

Who FuboTV is Best For (And Who It Isn’t)

Best for Sports Fans Who Prioritize:

• International Soccer: FuboTV excels with its comprehensive coverage of global soccer leagues and tournaments through channels like beIN Sports and TUDN.
• A Wide Range of Niche Sports: If you follow obscure sports or want access to every college conference network, FuboTV is likely your best bet.
• Generous DVR and Simultaneous Streams: With 1,000 hours of DVR and 10 home streams, it accommodates busy households and ensures you can record everything.

Who FuboTV Is Not Best For:

• Fans Who Must Have TNT/TBS: The absence of these Turner networks means missing key NBA and NHL playoff games, plus March Madness. This is a significant deal-breaker for many basketball and hockey fans.
• Budget-Conscious Streamers: While FuboTV offers a lot, its pricing is on the higher end of the live TV streaming spectrum, especially when you add premium sports packages.
• Viewers Who Want a Balance of On-Demand and Live TV: While FuboTV has some on-demand content, services like Hulu + Live TV offer a much deeper integrated on-demand library.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is FuboTV worth it for sports without TNT or TBS?

Whether FuboTV is worth it for sports despite missing TNT and TBS depends entirely on your specific sports viewing habits. If you primarily watch international soccer, NFL, college football, or less mainstream sports, FuboTV’s extensive lineup often makes it a strong contender. However, if NBA playoffs, NHL playoffs, or March Madness are your priority, the absence of TNT and TBS is a significant drawback that might push you towards a competitor like YouTube TV or Sling TV.

How can I check which local channels are available on FuboTV in my area?

You can easily check local channel availability on FuboTV by visiting their official website. Look for a section where you can enter your zip code. The site will then display a list of local ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC affiliates, as well as any regional sports networks, that are available in your specific market. Always perform this check before subscribing to ensure you get the channels you need.

Can I really skip commercials with FuboTV’s DVR?

Yes, FuboTV’s cloud DVR generally allows you to fast-forward through commercials on recorded content. This is a standard and highly valued feature of most cloud DVRs. However, live broadcasts will still include commercials, and some on-demand content may have unskippable ads depending on the network and specific program. Always use a free trial to verify specific features that are important to you.

How does FuboTV compare to Sling TV for sports?

FuboTV generally offers a more comprehensive sports lineup than Sling TV, especially concerning regional sports networks and the sheer number of dedicated sports channels. Sling TV’s model is more a la carte, allowing you to build a cheaper, more focused package, often by choosing between its “Orange” (ESPN focus) and “Blue” (Fox Sports/NFL Network focus) plans. While Sling TV is a great budget option for sports, it typically requires more add-ons to reach FuboTV’s level of sports coverage, and even then, may not match it entirely in breadth.

Disclaimer: Live TV streaming prices and channel lineups change frequently. Local channel availability varies by location. Always use the free trial to verify your local channels are included before committing. Sports blackout rules may affect some live events.