If you’re looking for a new live TV streaming service, is YouTube TV or Hulu Live TV a better choice? The decision may depend on what you value most. Both are excellent streaming options with lots of pros and cons. 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: Hulu Live TV
Hulu clocks in at $69.99 / month and YouTube TV is $72.99 / month. But remember that Hulu Live TV automatically gives you Disney+ and ESPN+. Why not pay less and get those free services?
Winner on Overall Channels: Hulu Live TV
Hulu includes 33 of the top 35 cable channels, which tops YouTube TV’s 32.
Overall, YouTube TV has 114 channels while Hulu offers 101.
YouTube TV offers these channels that Hulu doesn’t: AMC and WE tv.
But Hulu will be your choice if you like to watch A&E, History, and Lifetime
| YouTube | Hulu | |
|---|---|---|
| “YouTube TV” | “Hulu Live TV” | |
| Sign Up | Sign Up | |
| $72.99 | $69.99 | |
| 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 | • | - |
Winner on Local Channels: Draw
Both services offer ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, Telemundo, and The CW
Winner on Sports Channels: YouTube TV
Pro Sports Networks
YouTube TV offers access to NBA TV and NFL Network. For $11/month, you can also add Sports Plus for beIN Sports, Billiard TV, Fox Soccer Plus, GOLTV, MAVTV, NFL RedZone, Outside Television, PlayersTV, PokerGO, SportsGrid, Stadium, Tennis Channel, TVG, and VSiN.
YouTube TV should be your choice if you need NBA TV.
Hulu Live TV includes NFL Network. NFL RedZone is included in brand-new $9.99 Sports Add-On, which also includes MAVTV, Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel, TVG, and TVG2.
Regional Sports Networks
Both services offer the same regional sports networks: NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports Boston, NBC Sports California, NBC Sports Chicago, NBC Sports Northwest, NBC Sports Philadelphia, NBC Sports Philadelphia+, NBC Sports Washington, and SportsNet NY
College Sports Networks
When it comes to college sports, neither service offers an advantage over the other. Both provide ACC Network, ACC Network Extra, Big Ten Network, CBS Sports Network, ESPNU, and SEC Network.
Winner on Included Features: Hulu Live TV
On Demand Library
Hulu Live users get access to Hulu’s vast library of on demand content, although you will see ads unless you’re willing to upgrade for another $6/month. That’s honestly a great deal for the amount of movies and shows you’ll get. Normally, ad-free access to Hulu’s library would cost $14.99 / month. You’ll be able to see “Only Murders in the Building,” “The Handmaid's Tale,” “Little Fires Everywhere,” “Palm Springs,” “PEN15,” “Shrill,” and a great rotating library of blockbuster movies.
YouTube TV offers no similar feature.
The Disney Bundle
Hulu Live TV now includes an automatic subscription to Disney+ and ESPN+. That means you’ll get on demand access to every Star Wars movie and almost every Marvel movie. Throw in Pixar and Disney’s animated classics and that’s a library that’s hard to beat. There are also wonderful original series like “The Mandalorian,” “WandaVision,” and “Loki.”
ESPN+ gives you Monday Night Football, MLB, NHL, and MLS games, along with Bundesliga, LaLiga, FA Cup, UEFA Nations League, EFL Championship, EFL Carabao Cup, Eredevise, and more.
College sports fans will be able to watch thousands of games and events including football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, track & field, gymnastics, swimming & diving, lacrosse, wrestling, volleyball, golf, and more.
DVR
Both services offer an unlimited DVR that can hold recordings up to 9 months.
Verdict
Hulu is a slam-dunk choice between the two. Its on-demand offerings are far better than YouTube TV, and the inclusion of ESPN+ means you’ll have access to thousands of sporting events not available to YouTube TV subscribers. Throw in the Disney+ standouts of Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel, and the Disney animated library, and the value is outstanding.
In light of its March 2023 price hike, YouTube TV has erased nearly every advantage it once had. Perhaps you’re willing to pay $9.99 for 4K (after the first year at $4.99). Perhaps there’s a very specific channel you need. But if you’re comparing apples to apples, YouTube TV has a bushel and Hulu Live TV brings a full orchard.