Fed up with price hikes and channel outages in the TV world? Well, media companies have taken notice of your complaints and are introducing "skinny" TV packages as more affordable alternatives. Everyone from DirecTV to Fubo to Sling is getting in the game, but it's possible you may not have noticed or cared to explore further.

We at CNET love to remind you about free streaming services and your FAST options, but for some of you, skinny packages may be the best answer. This is especially true for sports fans who feel the need to chart a Westeros-like map just to figure out where to watch a game. The pain is real, but the budget pangs don't have to be. For those who want to continue shunning cable or satellite services at all costs, or for cable holdouts looking to try something else, this lays out what the skinny is all about.  

What's a skinny TV package or bundle?

The term "skinny" has caught on to describe slimmed-down channel bundles on live TV streaming services. A package typically gives you fewer than 100 channels, versus the amount seen in full packages that often include local stations like ABC or NBC and a large suite of cable favorites. 

"Full" streaming service subscriptions are offered from YouTube TV, DirecTV, Hulu Plus Live TV, Fubo and Sling TV, with platforms such as Philo or Frndly hanging out on the borderline of being considered skinny (you get what you get). But some of these companies have also rolled out shrunken versions of their packages that cater to genres or short-term viewing, and you can cancel whenever you want.

There's intentionality behind the skinny streaming packages, where providers such as DirecTV and YouTube carve out distinct options that offer fewer channels at a lower price, separate from their main streaming plan lineups. For example, DirecTV launched Genre Packs in early 2025, a crop of category-specific packages that range from $20 to $70 a month with optional add-ons if you don't mind paying for a few more channels. 

To make it more enticing for you, most of DTV's genre packs come bundled with a subscription to an on-demand streaming service like HBO Max, ESPN Unlimited or Disney Plus -- at no extra cost. We'll skip its satellite TV plans, but its primary streaming packages start at $85 a month and go up from there. 

Today, there are a limited number of skinny packages or bundles on the menu, but we'll try to make it easy to compare which TV providers offer what. 

DirecTV's Genre Packs 

Starting at $20 a month, DirecTV's Genre Packs are tailored to viewers who know what type of content they want to see. Unlimited DVR -- letting you pause, rewind, fast forward and record -- comes with each pack, and in some cases, you can give these a spin with a free trial. 

You don't have to limit yourself to just one package either -- you can mix and match, subscribing to multiple packs at a time. There are five core plans to choose from, and Mini Packs can be added as optional side dishes to select plans. And as I mentioned, there are free streaming bonuses like Disney Plus or HBO Max included in a few of these packages.

The MySports Extra mini plan gives you eight extra channels, like NFL RedZone and MotorTrend, for an additional $13 per month. It can be added only to the MySports package, however, whereas the $10-per-month MyCinema mini is available as an add-on for DTV's MySports, MyEntertainment, MyNews and MyKids base plans. For baseball fans, the MyHome Team mini costs $20 per  month, and you get local sports networks (in regions where available) if you want to supplement MySports. 

YouTube TV has new, budget-friendly packages

YouTube TV is the least-expensive premium live TV streaming platform at $83 per month, but in February, it one-upped itself by launching a slate of scaled-down, lower-priced packages. The cheapest one has a monthly price of $55, but you can only pick a single plan. Like YouTube TV's base plan, these slimmer packages let you have up to six accounts on one subscription, and unlimited DVR is standard. If you're looking for bundled streaming services like HBO Max or Hulu without paying extra, sorry -- these plans don't offer that. 

It's a little tricky to find the sign-up section for these subscriptions, but log in to YouTube TV via your Google account and navigate to the membership page under the app's settings. You should be able to browse each plan.

Fubo Sports

In August, Fubo rolled out Fubo Sports and tossed in access to ESPN Unlimited for good measure. The company is still embroiled in a carriage dispute with NBCUniversal, so those channels aren't part of any of Fubo's plans, but if you're a sports fan who's good with ABC, Fox, Big 10, ESPN and a few others, then this $56-per-month package may work. 

Other snipped-down streaming plans exist

While most skinny packages are for live TV platforms (or cable), a handful of on-demand streamers offer chopped plans, too. And the wallet-friendly, cord-free Sling TV offers day passes for Sling Orange that range from $5 to $15. You can stream on a short-term basis for 24 hours, three days or seven days. There's also Sling Select, a small offering of just over 10 channels for $20 a month. It's limited to networks like FS1, FX and LMN, but some customers have access to local stations as well. 

In the same vein, Peacock Select launched in 2025 at $8 per month, features new and old episodes from NBC and Bravo, as well as a selection of library titles. You'll need to upgrade to a Peacock Premium tier to watch originals and its full catalog, though. 

Not to be left out of the Select naming game, ESPN Select replaced ESPN Plus as an option once the newly launched ESPN streaming platform hit the scene. It costs $13 for a standalone subscription, but you don't get NFL or NBA access. Instead, this package nets you NHL, professional soccer games, college basketball, some college football games, 30 for 30 content and ESPN originals. Want more? ESPN Unlimited includes everything on ESPN Select. 

What's the benefit of a skinny TV plan? 

On the upside, you save money by making a slim package the main character in your TV life. Cut the cord, cut the channels you don't watch and cut down your streaming bill. Several of these services include local channels like ABC or NBC, so you get primetime shows, news and live sports events in addition to select cable networks. 

Local channels aren't always guaranteed, which may turn you away from one of these offerings if they're not in the lineup. But if it's all about your own sports fandom, a specific TV genre you favor or downsizing your budget, keep skinny packages on your radar.