Ditching YouTube TV after price hike? Check out your alternatives!
Ditching YouTube TV after price hike? Check out your alternatives!
There are plenty of alternatives to YouTube TV available at different price points, and we’ll run through them all for you here!
The writing was on the wall a bit for YouTube TV’s latest price increase. All of its major competitors in the streaming space had raised prices or announced increases already this year, leaving the largest live TV streaming service as the cheapest option for that number of channels by far at $73 per month. However, on Thursday, YouTube TV began informing current subscribers of its plans to raise its subscription rates to $83 per month beginning in January, barring any promotional prices the customers might be taking advantage of. The monthly rate was raised immediately for new customers.
If you’re fed up with sky-rocketing rates across streaming, or don’t feel like the new price justifies what you get from YouTube TV, I’ll run you through all of your options to replace the streamer and preserve your access to the channels you care about most.
What are the best replacements for YouTube TV?
Best alternative: Sling TV
Like YouTube TV, Sling TV is set to raise its prices, but in comparison, the service’s streamflation is much easier to swallow. Sling’s base subscription prices are going to increase from $40 to $46 per month, which is not only a smaller monthly increase, but still keeps them at about 55% of YouTube TV’s rate.
And while the sheer channel volume of YouTube TV is admittedly more than that of Sling, it still provides fantastic value for a lineup featuring some of the most popular broadcast and cable choices. You can watch top cable networks like CNN, ESPN, FX, Fox News, MSNBC, TNT, and plenty of others with Sling depending on the package you choose, though you won’t get much in the way of regional sports networks. Sling does carry broadcast networks, and their local affiliates, in many markets, it is not universal; and Sling does not offer CBS anywhere.
Still, if you’re looking to watch the best cable networks and broadcast channels without paying a big price, Sling is the way to go.
Limited Time: Get 50% OFF Your First Month of Sling TV
Best bundle option: Hulu + Live TV
At first glance, it doesn’t seem like Hulu + Live TV is going to save you any money over YouTube TV. This is mostly because both streamers charge the same $83-per-month rate, and carry most of the same channels in their base packages. However, when you drill down into your monthly bills, you will see that signing up for the Disney-owned streamer provides savings that no other streamer can offer.
One major advantage that Hulu + Live TV has over YouTube TV — and its other competitors — is that it comes with the Disney Bundle included in that price, so you’ll get Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ without facing an extra monthly fee. Hulu + Live TV also has a three-day free trial, so if you decide to try it, you’ll be able to make sure it’s right for you.
Great choice for TV lovers: DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV STREAM’s ENTERTAINMENT package carries essentially the same channels as YouTube TV’s base package and comes with a five-day free trial. After the trial, plans start at $87 per month, but one advantage DIRECTV STREAM has over YouTube TV is that it doesn’t force you to pay extra for Ultra-High-Definition 4K content. You can choose from three different English-language plans with DIRECTV STREAM, with up to 160+ channels available.
Choose $15 OFF each month for the first 2 months of Entertainment with Sports Pack or $20 OFF each month for the first 3 months of Choice or Ultimate.
Fantastic for sports: Fubo
Fubo has multiple channel package options available, including one that doesn’t force customers to pay for regional sports networks. Fubo’s Essential plan starts at $80 per month and does not impose the RSN fee that Fubo’s other plans do. There are a few cable channels you won’t get with Fubo such as TNT, HGTV, Food Network, TBS, and more, but it’s the only service besides YouTube TV that offers a multiview for select sporting events depending on your streaming device.
Customers on Fubo’s Elite package ($90 per month plus fees) can also watch 4K content with their subscription.
Get Your First Month of Fubo for Only $74.99 (normally $95) after your Free Trial.
Cheapest entertainment option: Philo
Philo keeps its base channel plan stocked with just a few cable channels, around 18 of our top 35 networks. You’ll still get AMC, Food Network, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, and others, but you won’t find local broadcast channels, cable news or sports networks, or premium networks on the streamer. If you want to get some of cable’s best highlights, access to AMC+ on-demand, and only pay $28 per month after a seven-day free trial, you should seriously look into Philo.