CNET has released its latest rankings of top on-demand and live TV streaming services for 2026, highlighting changes like price increases and a pending merger between Hulu and Fubo. The reviews emphasize value, content variety, and features amid rising costs for cord-cutters. Key picks include Netflix for originals and YouTube TV for live channels.
As streaming options proliferate, CNET's 2026 guide helps users navigate the landscape of on-demand platforms and live TV alternatives to cable. For on-demand services, Netflix tops the list for originals, offering a vast catalog including Squid Game, Stranger Things, and Wednesday, though its ad-free plans are pricey at up to $18 monthly after recent hikes. Disney Plus excels for families with Marvel and Star Wars content like The Mandalorian and Bluey, bundled options ranging from $13 to $45 per month, and an upcoming app merger with Hulu in early next year.
HBO Max leads in premium content with titles such as The Last of Us and House of the Dragon, starting at $10 monthly with ads. Other strong contenders include Hulu for network shows like Shogun, Prime Video for Amazon members with The Boys, Peacock for budget live sports and Yellowstone, Paramount Plus for CBS hits like Tulsa King at $9 with ads, and Apple TV for ad-free prestige series like Ted Lasso at $13 monthly, adding live Formula 1 in 2026.
Shifting to live TV streaming, YouTube TV remains the best cable alternative at $83 monthly after a $10 increase in January 2025, featuring unlimited DVR with nine months' storage and exclusive NFL Sunday Ticket through 2030. Hulu Plus Live TV, now $90, bundles Disney Plus and ESPN Select with strong on-demand like Only Murders in the Building. Sling TV Blue offers value at $46 for basic channels, while DirecTV suits sports fans at $90 with regional networks.
Notable industry shifts include price bumps across services—Hulu to $90, Fubo up $5 in 2024—and a 2025 merger announcement between Hulu and Fubo to end Venu Sports litigation, pending regulatory approval. CNET evaluates based on design, content, value, and features, tested on devices like Roku and smart TVs, advising users to consider bundles and must-have channels amid fluctuating lineups.
