Hulu Live vs YouTube TV
Hulu Live
Live TV streaming service bundled with Hulu's on-demand library at an affordable price point.
Budget-conscious cord-cutters who want live TV plus extensive on-demand content without needing extensive channel selection
YouTube TV
Live TV streaming service with unlimited cloud DVR and 85+ channels
Sports fans and heavy TV watchers who need comprehensive channel access, unlimited recording capacity, and don't mind paying premium pricing
Short Answer
YouTube TV offers more channels (150+ vs 90+) and superior DVR storage (unlimited vs 50 hours), while Hulu Live is $20/month cheaper and includes on-demand Hulu content in the base plan. The choice depends on whether you prioritize channel variety and recording capacity or cost savings.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose Hulu Live if you want the lowest cost entry point with bundled on-demand content and don't need an extensive channel lineup or frequent DVR usage. Choose YouTube TV if you're a heavy live TV watcher who records shows regularly, wants access to 150+ channels, and can justify the $23/month premium for unlimited DVR storage and more simultaneous streams.
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Choose Hulu Live if
Budget-conscious cord-cutters who want live TV plus extensive on-demand content without needing extensive channel selection
Choose YouTube TV if
Sports fans and heavy TV watchers who need comprehensive channel access, unlimited recording capacity, and don't mind paying premium pricing
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Key Differences at a Glance
Key Facts & Figures
| Metric | Hulu Live | YouTube TV | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost (Base Plan 2026)(USD) | $76.99 | $99.99 | -23% |
| Live TV Channels(count) | 90+ | 85+ | +6% |
| DVR Retention Period(days) | 30 days | 270 days (9 months) | -89% |
| Concurrent Streams Allowed(streams) | 2 streams | 3 streams | -33% |
| Number of User Profiles(profiles) | 2 profiles | 6 profiles | -67% |
| On-Demand Content Library Size(titles) | 10,000+ titles (Hulu) | Minimal (YouTube originals only) | — |
| Base Monthly Price (2026)(USD) | $60 (intro) / $83 (standard) | $60 (intro) / $83 (standard) | — |
| Live TV Channels(channels) | 100+ | 100+ | — |
| Nightly TV Viewership Average (2026)(millions) | 11.1 | 11.1 | — |
| Family Sharing Accounts(profiles) | 6 accounts standard | 6 accounts standard | — |
| Base Monthly Price(USD) | $82.99 | $82.99 | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | $72.99 | $72.99 | — |
| Simultaneous Streams (single account)(streams) | Up to 3 | Up to 3 | — |
| Household Accounts(accounts) | Up to 6 | Up to 6 | — |
| Free Trial Length(days) | 7 | 7 | — |
| Cost Per Channel(USD per channel) | $0.86 | $0.86 | — |
| Base Monthly Price (2026)(USD) | $82.99/month | $82.99/month | — |
| On-Demand Content Titles(titles) | Channel VOD only (~2,000) | Channel VOD only (~2,000) | — |
| Simultaneous Cloud DVR Recordings(recordings) | 6 simultaneous | 6 simultaneous | — |
| Ad-Free Plan Cost(USD) | $95.99/month | $95.99/month | — |
| Simultaneous Streams(screens) | 3 | 3 | — |
| Starting Monthly Price(USD) | $72.99/month | $72.99/month | — |
| Total Channels(channels) | 100+ channels | 100+ channels | — |
| Local Channel Coverage(percent of US) | 95%+ of US markets | 95%+ of US markets | — |
| Maximum Simultaneous Streams(screens) | 6 streams | 6 streams | — |
| Price Difference vs Cheapest Option(USD per month) | +$32.99 | +$32.99 | — |
| Base Monthly Cost(USD) | $72.99/month | $72.99/month | — |
| Total Live Channels(channels) | 150+ channels | 150+ channels | — |
| Sports Networks Included(count) | 20+ networks | 20+ networks | — |
| Price Per Channel(USD per channel) | $0.49/channel | $0.49/channel | — |
| Monthly Base Subscription Cost(USD) | $82.99 | $82.99 | — |
| Simultaneous Stream Capability(screens) | 6 simultaneous streams | 6 simultaneous streams | — |
| Sports Content Percentage(percent) | ~50% | ~50% | — |
| Entertainment/News Content Percentage(percent) | ~50% | ~50% | — |
| AI-Powered Sports Features Launch(year) | 2026 (multiview, interactive features) | 2026 (multiview, interactive features) | — |
| Live TV Channel Count(channels) | 150+ channels | 150+ channels | — |
| Annual Cost (12 months)(USD) | $995.88 | $995.88 | — |
| Base Monthly Price(USD) | $72.99 | $72.99 | — |
| Live Channels(channels) | 100+ | 100+ | — |
| Simultaneous Streams(streams) | 6 | 6 | — |
| Free Trial Length(days) | 7 | 7 | — |
| Monthly Base Price(USD) | $72.99 | $72.99 | — |
| Live Channels Included(channels) | 70+ | 70+ | — |
| Annual Price (Base Plan)(USD) | $875.88 | $875.88 | — |
| Monthly Cost (Base Plan)(USD) | $72.99 | $72.99 | — |
| On-Demand Library Size(titles) | Network libraries only (~2,000) | Network libraries only (~2,000) | — |
| Simultaneous Streams (Base Plan)(screens) | 3 | 3 | — |
| DVR Storage Overage Cost(USD/month) | None (unlimited included) | None (unlimited included) | — |
All figures sourced from publicly available data. Last updated Jun 2026.
Key Differences
Hulu Live
$76.99🏆
YouTube TV
$99.99
Hulu Live
90+
YouTube TV
150+🏆
Hulu Live
50 hours
YouTube TV
Unlimited🏆
Hulu Live
Hulu catalog included🏆
YouTube TV
Minimal (YouTube originals only)
Hulu Live
2 concurrent streams
YouTube TV
3 concurrent streams🏆
Hulu Live
30 days
YouTube TV
9 months🏆
Hulu Live
2 profiles
YouTube TV
6 profiles🏆
Full Comparison
| Attribute |  Hulu Live | YouTube TV |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost (Base Plan 2026)(USD) | $76.99 | $99.99 |
| Base Monthly Price (2026)(USD) | $60 (intro) / $83 (standard) | — |
| Base Monthly Price(USD) | $82.99 | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | $72.99 | — |
| Base Monthly Price (2026)(USD) | $82.99/month | — |
Show 12 more attributesAd-Free Plan Cost(USD) $95.99/month — Starting Monthly Price(USD) $72.99/month — Price Difference vs Cheapest Option(USD per month) +$32.99 — Base Monthly Cost(USD) $72.99/month — Monthly Base Subscription Cost(USD) $82.99 — Annual Cost (12 months)(USD) $995.88 — Base Monthly Price(USD) $72.99 — Monthly Base Price(USD) $72.99 — Annual Price (Base Plan)(USD) $875.88 — Monthly Cost (Base Plan)(USD) $72.99 — DVR Storage Overage Cost(USD/month) None (unlimited included) — Bundle Discount Available(boolean) No official bundles — | ||
| Live TV Channels(count) | 90+ | 85+ |
| On-Demand Content Library Size(titles) | 10,000+ titles (Hulu) | Minimal (YouTube originals only) |
| Content Library Size(titles) | 100+ live channels | — |
| Live TV Channels(channels) | 100+ | — |
| Original Content Focus (2026) | Moderate (licensed dominant) | — |
Show 13 more attributesOn-Demand Content Titles(titles) Channel VOD only (~2,000) — Total Channels(channels) 100+ channels — Local Channel Coverage(percent of US) 95%+ of US markets — Total Live Channels(channels) 150+ channels — Sports Networks Included(count) 20+ networks — News Networks Included(major networks) CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, NBC News, ABC News — Sports Content Percentage(percent) ~50% — Entertainment/News Content Percentage(percent) ~50% — Live TV Channel Count(channels) 150+ channels — Live Channels(channels) 100+ — Live Channels Included(channels) 70+ — Regional Sports Networks Standard coverage only — On-Demand Library Size(titles) Network libraries only (~2,000) — | ||
| DVR Storage Capacity(hours) | 50 hours | Unlimited |
| DVR Retention Period(days) | 30 days | 270 days (9 months) |
| Concurrent Streams Allowed(streams) | 2 streams | 3 streams |
| Number of User Profiles(profiles) | 2 profiles | 6 profiles |
| Unlimited DVR | All plans included | — |
Show 14 more attributesFamily Sharing Accounts(profiles) 6 accounts standard — Cloud DVR Storage(hours) Unlimited — Simultaneous Streams (single account)(streams) Up to 3 — Household Accounts(accounts) Up to 6 — Simultaneous Cloud DVR Recordings(recordings) 6 simultaneous — Multiview Sports Feature Yes - Advanced customizable layouts (2026) — DVR Storage (Standard)(hours) Unlimited — Customizable Channel Selection(yes/no) Genre-based plans (2026) — No-Contract Cancellation(yes/no) Yes, anytime — DVR Recording Storage(hours) Unlimited — Simultaneous Stream Capability(screens) 6 simultaneous streams — Cloud DVR Storage(hours) Unlimited — Simultaneous Streams(streams) 6 — Simultaneous Streams (Base Plan)(screens) 3 — | ||
| 4K Content Available | Limited to select content | Available with Premium tier ($13.99/month add-on) |
| 4K Streaming Available | Yes, select content | — |
| 4K Streaming Support | Yes (with add-on $9.99/mo) | — |
| Nightly TV Viewership Average (2026)(millions) | 11.1 | — |
| Ad-Free Viewing | Standard feature (no ads) | — |
| Free Trial Length(days) | 7 | — |
| Cost Per Channel(USD per channel) | $0.86 | — |
| Price Per Channel(USD per channel) | $0.49/channel | — |
| Simultaneous Streams(screens) | 3 | — |
| Maximum Simultaneous Streams(screens) | 6 streams | — |
| AI-Powered Sports Features Launch(year) | 2026 (multiview, interactive features) | — |
| Free Trial Length(days) | 7 | — |
| Included Premium Services | YouTube Premium, YouTube Music | — |
| Mobile App Quality | Excellent with quick guide navigation | — |
| Contract Required | No | — |
Hulu LiveShow 12 more attributes
Show 13 more attributes
Show 14 more attributes
Visual Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of numeric attributes
Pros & Cons
Hulu Live
Pros
- Includes Hulu's entire on-demand library (10,000+ titles) in base plan
- $20/month cheaper than YouTube TV for budget-conscious households
- Cloud DVR allows saving up to 50 hours of programs across 30 days
- Integrated Hulu interface combining live and on-demand content seamlessly
- Compact channel list reduces decision fatigue for casual viewers
Cons
- Only 90+ channels limits access to niche sports and news networks
- 50-hour DVR storage runs out quickly for heavy recording users
YouTube TV
Pros
- 150+ live TV channels including premium sports networks (ESPN, Fox Sports, NBA League Pass add-ons)
- Unlimited cloud DVR storage with 9-month retention—never deletes recordings automatically
- 3 simultaneous streams (vs Hulu's 2) and 6 user profiles for larger families
- YouTube integration with account sign-in for YouTube Premium eligibility
- 4K streaming available on select content with YouTube TV Premium tier
Cons
- $99.99 monthly base price is 27% more expensive than Hulu Live
- No on-demand content library beyond YouTube originals—separate subscriptions required for films/shows
Frequently Asked Questions
Hulu Live costs $76.99/month ($923.88/year) while YouTube TV costs $99.99/month ($1,199.88/year). Over 12 months, Hulu Live saves $276 annually. However, YouTube TV's unlimited DVR could reduce the need for separate on-demand subscriptions, potentially narrowing the cost gap depending on your viewing habits.
Resources & Learn More
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