Should You Choose YouTube TV or Hulu With Live TV?
While most of us prefer streaming over cable TV, there is still something to be said for accessing live TV, especially if you watch network news or live sports. You can find almost everything if you subscribe to a range of streaming services, but to get more in one place for a single fee, you might want to consider YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV.
Both of these cable alternatives give you access to 100 (or more) live TV channels without committing to a contract. While YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV aren’t the only TV streaming services (other options include Sling TV, Fubo, and DirecTV Stream), they are two of the best.
YouTube TV and Hulu+ Live TV are very similar in pricing, channel selection, and features. YouTube TV offers several more channels and has an edge for sports fans with full access to things like March Madness and features like multi-view, which lets you watch up to four games at once. You can also purchase discounted NFL Sunday Ticket during football season.
Meanwhile, a Hulu + Live TV subscription gives you access to streaming content on Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ (ad tiers), so if you care a lot about what’s happening on those platforms, the Hulu + Live TV package might be right for you. .
Prices
The basic YouTube TV plan costs $72.99 per month and includes six home accounts and three streams, although there are occasional promotions (like $15 off the first three months). You can also add extra features like 4K and unlimited streaming, as well as premium channels—Max, Paramount+ with Showtime, NFL RedZone, and more—for an additional monthly fee.
The basic Hulu + Live TV package, which includes Disney+ and ESPN+ with ads, costs $76.99 per month for two streams. You can also upgrade to ad-free tiers of Hulu and Disney+ for $89.99 per month (and add unlimited streaming for $10 per month). The Disney Bundle, which includes ad-supported tiers of Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+, costs $14.99, so you’re essentially paying $62 for a piece of live TV.
YouTube TV is a little cheaper overall, but Hulu + Live TV is a great value.
channels
The channel lineups on YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV are comparable. YouTube TV claims 100+ channels , and Hulu+ Live TV claims 95+ . YouTube TV is missing History Channel, Lifetime, INSP and A&E, and Hulu is missing Univision, AMC, Sundance, Ion, as well as BBC America and BBC World News. Please note that regional and local network availability also varies.
If you’re very interested in the programming on one of these channels and you’re not getting access to it elsewhere, this may influence your decision.
Functions
Both YouTube TV and Hulu+ Live TV have unlimited DVR, so you can record content to watch later. Both have default picture quality ranging from 720p to 1080p, although YouTube TV allows you to get more granular settings. As mentioned above, YouTube TV has a 4K add-on package, and Hulu + Live TV includes limited 4K on-demand content on select devices.
YouTube TV already has an edge in general sports content, which is further highlighted by features like multi-view and key games (allowing you to catch up by watching game highlights). The YouTube TV interface is also perhaps a little easier to navigate.
Bottom line
YouTube TV is the best choice for watching sports and has a slight edge in channel lineup, plus it’s a little closer to traditional cable TV. Hulu+ Live TV offers great value for those who want access to on-demand streaming content from Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+, as well as live TV.