If you’re looking for a new live TV streaming service, is Fubo or DIRECTV STREAM a better choice? The decision may depend on what you value most. Both are excellent streaming options with lots of pros and cons. Now that Fubo carries Bally Sports Networks, the choice is even more difficult.
If you’d like a quick comparison, check out The Streamable’s Service Matchmaker. Let’s dig in to compare your options.
Winner on Price: DIRECTV STREAM
Fubo’s base package is $91.99 / month (including fees) and DIRECTV STREAM starts at $79.99 / month and goes up from there. From a base tier only, DIRECTV STREAM is the winner, but it’s not totally cut-and-dried.
Winner on Overall Channels: DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV STREAM’s most basic package includes 31 of the top 35 cable channels, which tops Fubo’s 25.
Overall, Fubo has access to 213 channels while DIRECTV STREAM offers 220.
DIRECTV STREAM offers every major channel Fubo does, but also gives you access to A&E, AMC, Cartoon Network, CNN, History, Lifetime, TBS, TNT, truTV, and WE tv. That alone may be enough to make your decision.
| Fubo | DIRECTV STREAM | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| “fubo” | “Elite” | “Entertain.” | “Choice” | “Ultimate” | “Premier” | ||
| Free Trial | Free Trial | Free Trial | Free Trial | Free Trial | Free Trial | ||
| $91.99 | $101.99 | $79.99 | $108.99 | $119.99 | $164.99 | ||
| A&E | - | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| AMC | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| BET | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Bravo | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Cartoon Network | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| CNN | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Comedy Central | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Discovery | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Disney Channel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Disney Junior | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| E! | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| ESPN | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Food Network | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Fox News | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Freeform | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| FX | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| FXX | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Hallmark Channel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| HGTV | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| History | - | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Investigation Discovery | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Lifetime | - | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| MSNBC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| MTV | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Nickelodeon | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Paramount Network | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Syfy | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| TBS | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| TLC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| TNT | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Travel Channel | ✓ | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| truTV | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| USA Network | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| VH1 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| WE tv | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Channel Upgrade Bundles
DIRECTV STREAM offers a whopping four different tiers of services.
- Entertainment: 87 channels for $79.99 / month
- Choice: 187 channels for $108.99 / month
- Ultimate: 215 channels for $119.99 / month
- Premier: 220 channels for $164.99 / month
Fubo counters those packages by offering several smaller add-ons. In many cases, this gives you access to channels DIRECTV doesn’t offer. For specific channel availability, you can enter your favorites in The Streamable’s Service Matchmaker.
| Fubo Add-on | Price/Month | Channels Not on DIRECTV STREAM |
|---|---|---|
| Extra | $8 | At Home with Family Handyman, BET Jams, BET Soul, Great American Faith & Living, GINX Esports TV, Great American Adventures, INWONDER, Law&Crime, MTV Live, MTVU, Nick Music, Outside Television, Pac-12 Network, PokerGO, Revry, Sony Movie Channel, and Zona Futbol |
| Adventure Plus | $5 | INTROUBLE, MAVTV, Outdoor Channel, Outside Television, and Waypoint |
| News Plus | $2.99 | AfricaNews, Bloomberg+, Euronews, i24 News, Law&Crime, NewsNet, Revry News, ROI TV, The TYT Network, and Ticker News |
| Latino | $20 | Baby TV, beIN Sports, beIN Sports en español, CBeebies, Cine Sony, Discovery en Español, Discovery Familia, El Financiero, el gourmet, ESPN Deportes, Estrella TV, FOX Deportes, FOXlife, GOLTV, INTI Network, Más Chic, TUDNxtra, TyCSports, Vme Kids, and Zee Mundo |
Winner on Local Channels: Draw
Both services offer ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, Telemundo, The CW, and Univision. However, Fubo lost access to 160 local CBS affiliates in early 2023. If this is a concern to you, DIRECTV STREAM is the superior choice.
Winner on Sports Channels: Fubo
Pro Sports Networks
One important choice for viewers is whether they want to watch the NBA on TNT or MLB on TBS. If so, DIRECTV STREAM is the service you’d need.
Fubo includes MLB Network, NBA TV, NFL Network, and NHL Network in its base package. Another $11/month gives you the Sports Plus add-on, which means access to ACC Network, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, Fight Network, IMPACT Wrestling, MLB Network, MLB Network Strike Zone, NBA TV, NFL RedZone, NHL Network, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, SEC Network+, SportsGrid, Stadium, Stadium Plus, Tennis Channel, and Zona Futbol.
DIRECTV STREAM offers MLB Network and NBA TV starting at the “Choice” package for $108.99 / month. DIRECTV STREAM does not offer NFL Network or NFL RedZone.
| DTV STREAM | Fubo | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | Free Trial | ||
| $79.99 | $91.99 | ||
| MLB Network | + $15 | + $8 | |
| NBA TV | + $15 | + $8 | |
| NFL Network | + $15 | ✓ | |
| NFL RedZone | + $15 | + $11 | |
| NHL Network | + $15 | + $8 |
Regional Sports Networks
Since Fubo added Bally Sports channels in February 2023, the difference between these services has mostly evaporated. We should note Fubo offers those channels in its base tier ($91.99 / month), while you would need to pay up for the DIRECTV STREAM Choice package ($108.99 / month) to get the Bally channels.
There are a few differences to note.
Only DIRECTV STREAM offers Bally Sports Carolinas, Bally Sports Tennessee, MASN2, Spectrum SportsNet, Spectrum SportsNet LA, SportsNet NY, and SportsTime Ohio.
However, Fubo wins if you need these channels: Arizona's Family Sports, NBC Sports Philadelphia, and NBC Sports Philadelphia+.
Both services offer these regional sports networks: Altitude, SportsNet Pittsburgh, AT&T SportsNet Southwest, Bally Sports Detroit, Bally Sports Florida, Bally Sports Great Lakes, Bally Sports Indiana, Bally Sports Kansas City, Bally Sports Midwest, Bally Sports New Orleans, Bally Sports North, Bally Sports Ohio, Bally Sports Oklahoma, Bally Sports San Diego, Bally Sports SoCal, Bally Sports South, Bally Sports Southeast, Bally Sports Southwest, Bally Sports Sun, Bally Sports West, Bally Sports Wisconsin, Fox Sports Wisconsin, Marquee Sports Network, MASN, Monumental Sports Network, MSG, MSG Sportsnet, NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports Boston, NBC Sports California, NBC Sports Chicago, NESN, Rockies.TV Channel, Root Sports Northwest, Space City Home Network, and YES Network.
College Sports Networks
When it comes to college sports, both services are comparable. Both provide ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS Sports Network, ESPNU, SEC Network, and truTV.
International Sports Networks
For fans of international sports, Fubo can provide Next Level Sports, ESPN Deportes, FOX Deportes, Fox Soccer Plus, GOLTV, TyCSports, and Zona Futbol for an additional $6.
Winner on Included Features: Fubo
4K
Fubo offers 4K if you subscribe at the Elite level ($101.99 / month). See this list of upcoming 4K events. You’ll usually see sports events on NBC, FOX, FS1, and Big Ten Network available in ultra high-definition.
DIRECTV STREAM does not currently offer 4K.
DVR
DIRECTV STREAM allows unlimited recording that will stay on the service for nine months. Fubo offers a 1000-hour DVR.
Lookback
Fubo’s lookback feature lets you watch sports and entertainment shows that aired in the previous three days that aren’t available on demand. Some of these shows allow you to skip commercials.
Verdict
DIRECTV STREAM is an easy choice if you’re looking for a well-rounded sports and entertainment package. If you need to watch A&E, AMC, Cartoon Network, CNN, History, Lifetime, TBS, TNT, truTV, and WE tv, DIRECTV STREAM is the better option. For sports fans leaning toward Fubo, the TNT and TBS factor could be a dealbreaker.
If you need your local CBS affiliate, DIRECTV STREAM is the better choice, given Fubo’s reliance on the CBS national feed in most markets.
If you’re okay with a smaller channel lineup, Fubo offers a lot to like, especially for sports fans. If you watch local RSNs, you will be able to watch at a cheaper price. The option for 4K is a great benefit for those with high-end TVs, but requires their Elite Plan. The inexpensive channel add-ons allow a lot of flexibility as well. For NFL fans, the inclusion of NFL Network and NFL RedZone make this a more attractive package.