Buzz
Although streaming has largely replaced traditional cable, live TV remains valuable for those who enjoy network news or live sports. While multiple streaming platforms can cover your needs, YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV stand out by offering a comprehensive selection of content under one subscription.
These two services provide over 100 live channels without requiring a long-term contract. While alternatives like Sling TV, Fubo, and DirecTV Stream exist, YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV are among the top choices for live TV streaming.
YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV are highly competitive in terms of cost, channel offerings, and features. YouTube TV boasts a slightly larger channel lineup and excels for sports enthusiasts with perks like March Madness coverage and multiview, enabling simultaneous viewing of up to four games. Additionally, it offers discounted NFL Sunday Ticket bundles during football season.
A Hulu + Live TV subscription also includes access to Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ (with ads), making it an excellent choice if you’re particularly interested in content from these platforms.
Cost Comparison
YouTube TV’s standard plan is priced at $72.99 per month, offering six household accounts and three simultaneous streams. Occasional deals, such as $15 off for the first three months, are available. Additional features like 4K streaming, unlimited streams, and premium channels such as Max, Paramount+ with Showtime, and NFL RedZone can be added for extra fees.
The base Hulu + Live TV bundle, which includes Disney+ and ESPN+ (with ads), costs $76.99 per month for two streams. For $89.99 per month, you can upgrade to ad-free versions of Hulu and Disney+, with the option to add unlimited streams for $10 more. The Disney Bundle, featuring Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ (with ads), is $14.99, meaning the live TV portion effectively costs $62.
While YouTube TV is slightly more affordable, Hulu + Live TV offers exceptional value for its bundled services.
Channel Offerings
YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV offer similar channel lineups. YouTube TV provides over 100 channels, while Hulu + Live TV offers more than 95. YouTube TV excludes channels like the History Channel, Lifetime, INSP, and A&E, whereas Hulu misses Univision, AMC, Sundance, Ion, and both BBC America and BBC World News. Availability of regional and local networks may also differ.
If specific channels are important to you and aren’t available elsewhere, this could influence your choice between the two services.
Key Features
Both YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV include unlimited DVR for recording shows to watch later. Their default video quality ranges from 720p to 1080p, though YouTube TV offers more customizable settings. YouTube TV also provides a 4K add-on, while Hulu + Live TV includes limited 4K on-demand content for select devices.
YouTube TV excels in sports coverage, further enhanced by features like multiview and key plays, which let you quickly catch up on game highlights. Its user interface is also considered more intuitive and user-friendly.
Final Verdict
YouTube TV is the superior option for sports enthusiasts and offers a slightly broader channel selection, closely mimicking the traditional cable experience. On the other hand, Hulu + Live TV is ideal for those seeking a combination of live TV and on-demand content from Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+.
