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Canceling YouTube TV If They Drop NBC, NBCSN, MSNBC, E!, & Bravo? 4 Best Alternatives to Switch from YouTube TV

Yesterday, YouTube TV and NBCU alerted users of a possible carriage dispute. If NBCUniversal and YouTube TV can’t reach a deal by Thursday, September 30th, YouTube TV subscribers may be without more than 14 NBCU-owned channels including all local NBC affiliates and NBC Sports RSNs.

If NBC walks away, YouTube TV said that they would drop the price of the service to $54.99 a month until the channels return.

But if you are looking for other alternatives to YouTube TV, that still carry NBC locals, as well as Bravo, CNBC, E!, Golf Channel, MSNBC, NBC Sports Network, Oxygen, Syfy, Telemundo, Universal Kids, Universo, and USA Network, here are your options.

If you’re looking for other alternatives to YouTube TV, whether a similar channel package or a lower price, we’ve got you covered. We compared channels, DVR, pricing, and plans of four alternatives for YouTube TV subscribers.

If you want to compare your favorite channels, use The Streamable’s Matchmaker Tool to find the best option based on what you watch.

DTV STREAM Fubo Hulu Philo Sling TV YouTube
Free Trial Free Trial Sign Up Free Trial Get 50% Off Sign Up
$79.99 $91.99 $76.99 $25 $40 $40 $72.99
Bravo - -
CNBC - - + $6
E! - -
Golf Channel + $15 - - + $11
MSNBC - -
NBC - -
NBC Sports Bay Area + $29 - - -
NBC Sports California + $29 - - -
NBC Sports Chicago + $29 - - -
NBC Sports Network - -
NBC Sports Philadelphia - - - -
NBC Sports Washington - - - - - - -
Oxygen + $40 - - + $6
Syfy - -
Telemundo - - -
Universal Kids + $40 - - -
Universo + $15 + $10 + $5 - - + $6
USA Network - -

Four Alternatives for YouTube TV Subscribers to Stream NBCU Channels

1. fuboTV ($64.99)

fuboTV carries many of the same channels as YouTube TV, including Bravo, CNBC, E!, Golf Channel, MSNBC, NBC Sports Network, Oxygen, Syfy, Telemundo, Universal Kids, Universo, and USA Network.

In comparison to YouTube TV, you’ll lose AMC, Cartoon Network, CNN, TBS, TNT, truTV, and WE tv, but you’ll gain No Channels, in addition to NBCU channels.

In total, they carry 27 of the Top 35 Cable Channels. They are the least expensive service that carries NESN, and also carry all NBC-Sports RSNs: NBC Sports Boston, NBC Sports Washington, NBC Sports Chicago, NBC Sports Bay Area, and NBC Sports California,

In terms of sports, they are one of the only alternatives that carry NFL Network, NFL RedZone, NBA TV, MLB Network, and NHL Network as part of their service (some require their $8 Extra or $11 Sports Plus add-on). They also are the only service that offers a similar multi-screen (PIP) feature that many streamers love for sports.

For those in New York, Houston, Pittsburgh, and Seattle they are one of the only streaming services that offer MSG/MSG+, AT&T SportsNet Southwest, [AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh], and ROOT Sports Northwest.

The service includes a 250 Hour DVR with no expiration, so you can keep the content as long as you like. It comes with there simultaneous streams. You can upgrade to their Elite Bundle ($79.99) which includes 10 simultaneous streams and a 1,000 Hour DVR.

Full breakdown: fuboTV vs. YouTube TV ►

Cloud DVR

The service includes a 250 Hour DVR, but can be upgraded to 1,000 DVR

Max Streams

The service includes 3 Simultaneous Streams, but can be upgraded to 10 streams


2. DIRECTV STREAM ($84.99)

Just like fubo, DIRECTV STREAM also carries NBCU-owned channels. The service has most of the same local NBC, ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX affiliates than YouTube TV, but not all of them.

One of the biggest benefits compared to YouTube TV, is that they also carry Bally Sports RSNs, YES Network, NESN, Altitude, MASN, AT&T SportsNet, Spectrum SportsNet, and all of the NBC Sports RSNs (except Philadelphia). In order to get your local RSN, you will need to get for their $84.99 Choice Plan.

In comparison to YouTube TV, you’ll gain A&E, History, and Lifetime, but you’ll lose No Channels. They also don’t carry NFL Network or NFL RedZone.

If you’re a College Sports fan, you’ll also get ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS Sports Network, ESPNU, SEC Network, and truTV.

Full breakdown: DIRECTV STREAM vs. YouTube TV ►

Cloud DVR

Includes Unlimited DVR

Max Streams

Includes up to 20 Simultaneous Streams (at-home) and 3 Simultaneous Streams while traveling.

3. Hulu + Live TV ($65)

Hulu Live TV has all of NBCU-owned channels, including NBC Sports RSNs. You will also get Hulu’s on-demand service included in your subscription.

You’ll get 33 channels of the 35 Top Cable Channels, including your local NBC Sports RSN. The service carries a similar number of ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX affiliates than YouTube TV, so you’re likely to get them in your area.

In comparison to YouTube TV, you’ll lose AMC and WE tv, but you’ll gain A&E, History, and Lifetime.

If you’re a College Sports fan, you’ll also get ACC Network, Big Ten Network, SEC Network, ESPNU, and CBS Sports Network. You will lose MLB Network and NBA TV, but they recently added NFL Network to their base plan and offer NFL RedZone as part of Sports Add-on ($10).

Full breakdown: Hulu Live TV vs. YouTube TV ►

Cloud DVR

Includes 50 Hour DVR (but you can’t skip ads), can upgrade to 200 hour DVR for $9.99 a month, which includes the ability to fast-forward through ads.

Max Streams

Includes up to 2 Simultaneous Streams, but can upgrade to Unlimited Screens in your home (and 3 on mobile) for $9.99 a month.


4. Sling Orange + Blue ($35-$50+)

While NBCU channels are available on Sling Blue, to create a bundle similar to YouTube TV, you will need both Sling Orange and Sling Blue ($50).

For $50 you’ll get 27 channels of the 35 Top Cable Channels. You’ll get channels from AMC, Disney (ESPN, Disney), Discovery (Discovery, Food Network, HGTV), FX, NBCU (Bravo), and Turner (TNT, TBS, CNN).

In comparison to YouTube TV, you’ll gain A&E, History, and Lifetime. While you’ll lose channels like Disney Junior, FXX, Hallmark Channel, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, VH1, and WE tv in their base plan, you can add some as part of their $6 Extra packs.

You will need to add their News Extra ($6) to get CNBC, Lifestyle Extra ($6) to get Oxygen, and Spanish Extra ($6) for Universo.

In order to get NFL Network, NFL RedZone, MLB Network and NBA TV (which YouTube TV offers), you’ll need to add the Sports Extra pack ($11), which also includes Golf Channel and NHL Network.

They also have a Total TV Deal which includes all 7 Extra Packs and a 200 Hour DVR for $27. This means that you can get almost every channel available on Sling for $77.

Sling only carries NBC in select markets (New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Boston, Washington, D.C., Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Hartford/New Haven, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Los Angeles, San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose and San Diego), so if you plan to tune in, make sure it’s available in your market.

Full breakdown: YouTube TV vs. Sling TV ►

Cloud DVR

Includes 50 Hour DVR, Can Upgrade to 200 Hour for $5

Max Streams

Includes up to 4 Streams (Depending on Channel)

Comparison of Channels Across Live TV Streaming Services

DTV STREAM Fubo Hulu Philo YouTube Sling TVision
“Choice” “fubo” “Hulu Live TV” “Base” “YouTube TV” “Combo” “Live Zone” “VIBE”
Free Trial Free Trial Sign Up Free Trial Sign Up Get 50% Off Sign Up Sign Up
$108.99 $91.99 $76.99 $16 $72.99 $55 $60 $10
A&E - - - -
AMC - -
BET
Bravo - -
Cartoon Network - - -
CNN - - -
Comedy Central
Discovery
Disney Channel - -
Disney Junior - + $6 -
E! - -
ESPN - -
Food Network
Fox News - -
Freeform - -
FX - -
FXX - + $6 -
Hallmark Channel + $6
HGTV
History - - - -
Investigation Discovery
Lifetime - - - -
MSNBC - -
MTV + $6
Nickelodeon -
Paramount Network + $6
Syfy - -
TBS - - -
TLC
TNT - - -
Travel Channel
truTV - - -
USA Network - -
VH1 + $6
WE tv - - + $6

Locals

DTV STREAM Fubo Hulu Philo Sling TVision
“Choice” “fubo” “Hulu Live TV” “Base” “Combo” “Live Zone” “VIBE”
Free Trial Free Trial Sign Up Free Trial Get 50% Off Sign Up Sign Up
$108.99 $91.99 $76.99 $16 $55 $60 $10
ABC - -
CBS - - - -
Fox - -
NBC - -
Telemundo - - -
The CW - - - -
Univision - - - - -

Regional Sports

DTV STREAM Fubo Hulu YouTube Philo Sling TVision
“Choice” “fubo” “Hulu Live TV” “YouTube TV” “Base” “Combo” “Live Zone” “VIBE”
Free Trial Free Trial Sign Up Sign Up Free Trial Get 50% Off Sign Up Sign Up
$108.99 $91.99 $76.99 $72.99 $16 $55 $60 $10
Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) - - -

National Sports

DTV STREAM Fubo Hulu YouTube Philo Sling
“Choice” “fubo” “Hulu Live TV” “YouTube TV” “Base” “Combo”
Free Trial Free Trial Sign Up Sign Up Free Trial Get 50% Off
$108.99 $91.99 $76.99 $72.99 $16 $55
ESPN -
ESPN2 -
FS1 -
Fox Sports 2 + $15 - + $15
TBS - -
TNT - -
USA Network -

Pro Sports

DTV STREAM Fubo Hulu YouTube Philo Sling
“Choice” “fubo” “Hulu Live TV” “YouTube TV” “Base” “Combo”
Free Trial Free Trial Sign Up Sign Up Free Trial Get 50% Off
$108.99 $91.99 $76.99 $72.99 $16 $55
MLB Network + $8 - - + $15
NBA TV + $8 - - + $15
NFL Network -
NFL RedZone + $15 + $11 + $10 + $11 - + $15
NHL Network + $15 + $8 - - - + $15

College Sports

DTV STREAM Fubo Hulu YouTube Philo Sling
“Choice” “fubo” “Hulu Live TV” “YouTube TV” “Base” “Combo”
Free Trial Free Trial Sign Up Sign Up Free Trial Get 50% Off
$108.99 $91.99 $76.99 $72.99 $16 $55
ACC Network - + $15
ACC Network Extra - - - + $15
Big Ten Network - + $15
CBS Sports Network + $15 - -
ESPNU + $8 - + $15
Longhorn Network + $15 - - - - + $15
Pac-12 Network - + $8 - - - + $15
SEC Network + $8 - + $15
truTV - -

Other Sports

DTV STREAM Fubo Hulu YouTube Philo Sling
“Choice” “fubo” “Hulu Live TV” “YouTube TV” “Base” “Combo”
Free Trial Free Trial Sign Up Sign Up Free Trial Get 50% Off
$108.99 $91.99 $76.99 $72.99 $16 $55
beIN Sports - - + $11 - + $15
Next Level Sports + $15 + $6 - - - -
ESPNEWS + $8 - + $15
FanDuel TV - + $10 + $11 - -
Fox Soccer Plus - + $6 - + $11 - -
Golf Channel - + $15
Tennis Channel + $8 - + $11 - + $15

Jason Gurwin has has spent the last 10 years in the technology, media, entertainment industries. For The Streamable, he specializes in all things media like streaming services, devices, and cord cutting.

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