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The sport channels are one of the main reasons most live TV streaming services and cable services are so expensive. Also the local programming as it is rather pricey to get your local ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS, CW etc. News channels also drive up the price. That is why Philo only cost $20, it doesn't have any sports or local network channels or news channels.
Pluto TV is free and it has a huge number of channels with commercials. I'm guessing it has a couple hundred channels or more. The streaming is good on some channels, but lower resolution on others. But it does have a few sports channels and music channels and news channels. Since it is free, it makes a nice supplement to any other service(s) you have.
ESPN+ is only $5/mo if you need a supplement for sports channels.
Also, don't forget that cable makes a huge amount of their money off of equipment rentals. Need a DVR? You have to pay a king's ransom to get one for every TV in your house. Streaming services tend to charge a little for cloud DVRs, but it is usually less than what you would pay to a cable provider.
Quite obviously everyone wants their cut of the pie, and that drives the costs through the roofs. We will get screwed over regardless of which type of entertainment service we chose to pay for. That won't change. The only thing that changes is the ways in which they screw us over.
One of the current trends is for channels/networks to offer their own channel(s) via a streaming service app. That is an alternative if you really like a particular channel, like MotorTrend because you are a total gear-head. But if you have to get multiple channels that way, then the costs are staggering. Paying $10/mo for each channel would add up in a hurry and be out of the price range of people like me.
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