Hulu + Live TV vs YouTube TV
YouTube TV offers 100+ channels with unlimited DVR storage and costs $73/month, while Hulu + Live TV provides 90+ channels plus on-demand Hulu content for $76.99/month; the choice depends on whether you prioritize channel variety or integrated streaming content.
Hulu + Live TV
Disney's integrated service combining 90+ live channels with Hulu's on-demand streaming library.
Viewers who want live TV combined with extensive on-demand content, ESPN access, and Disney+ integration in one bundle
YouTube TV
Google's live TV streaming service with 100+ channels and unlimited cloud DVR.
Cord-cutters prioritizing live TV channels, DVR flexibility, and cost savings who supplement with other streaming apps
Short Answer
YouTube TV offers 100+ channels with unlimited DVR storage and costs $73/month, while Hulu + Live TV provides 90+ channels plus on-demand Hulu content for $76.99/month; the choice depends on whether you prioritize channel variety or integrated streaming content.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose YouTube TV if you want the best live TV experience with unlimited DVR, more channels, and lower cost—ideal for cord-cutters focused on broadcast and cable content. Choose Hulu + Live TV if you want comprehensive on-demand entertainment bundled with live TV and prefer a single subscription for both live channels and thousands of back catalog titles.
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Choose Hulu + Live TV if
Viewers who want live TV combined with extensive on-demand content, ESPN access, and Disney+ integration in one bundle
Choose YouTube TV if
👑 Best pickCord-cutters prioritizing live TV channels, DVR flexibility, and cost savings who supplement with other streaming apps
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Key Differences at a Glance
Key Facts & Figures
68 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Hulu + Live TV | YouTube TV | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Monthly Price (2026)(USD) | $82.99/month | $82.99/month | |
| Live TV Channels(count) | 90+ | 85+ | +6% |
| On-Demand Content Titles(titles) | 10,000+ Hulu library | Channel VOD only (~2,000) | +400% |
| Simultaneous Cloud DVR Recordings(recordings) | 50 simultaneous | 6 simultaneous | +733% |
| Ad-Free Plan Cost(USD) | $95.99/month | $95.99/month | |
| Monthly Subscription Price(USD) | $84.99/month | $76.99/month | +10% |
| Live TV Channels Available(channels) | 90+ | — | — |
| Maximum Simultaneous Streams(streams) | 2 | 3 streams | -33% |
| Minimum Internet Speed Required(Mbps) | 8 Mbps minimum | — | — |
| Base Monthly Price(USD) | $54.99 | $72.99 | -25% |
| Live Channels(channels) | 90+ | 100+ | -10% |
| Simultaneous Streams(streams) | 2-3 | 6 | -58% |
| Free Trial Length(days) | 3 | 7 | -57% |
| Base Monthly Price(USD) | $76.99 | $82.99 | -7% |
| On-Demand Titles(titles) | 10,000+ | — | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | $76.99 | $72.99 | +5% |
| Cloud DVR Storage Capacity(hours) | 50 hours | Unlimited | — |
| DVR Content Retention Period(days) | 30 days | 270 days (9 months) | -89% |
| Live TV Channels Included(channels) | 90+ | 100+ | -10% |
| Simultaneous Streams Allowed(streams) | 2 devices | 3 | -33% |
| Annual Cost (12-month)(USD) | $923.88 | $875.88 | +5% |
| Base DVR Storage Capacity(hours) | 50 hours | Unlimited | — |
| On-Demand Library Size(titles) | 10,000+ | YouTube only | — |
| DVR Recording Retention Period(months) | 9 months | 9 months | |
| Premium Tier Price (with Disney+ & ESPN+)(USD) | $14.99/month extra | Not available | — |
| On-Demand Content Library(titles) | 8,000+ | Limited (YouTube only) | |
| Simultaneous Streams(streams) | 2 | 3 | -33% |
| Family Accounts/Profiles(accounts) | 6 | 6 | |
| Annual Cost (Base Plan)(USD) | $1,019.88/year | $923.88/year | +10% |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| Starting Monthly Price(USD) | $72.99/month | $72.99/month | |
| Local Channel Coverage(percent of US) | 95%+ of US markets | 95%+ of US markets | |
| 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 | |
| Monthly Cost (Base Plan 2026)(USD) | $99.99 | $99.99 | |
| DVR Retention Period(days) | 270 days (9 months) | 270 days (9 months) | |
| Concurrent Streams Allowed(streams) | 3 streams | 3 streams | |
| Number of User Profiles(profiles) | 6 profiles | 6 profiles | |
| On-Demand Content Library Size(titles) | Minimal (YouTube originals only) | Minimal (YouTube originals only) | |
| 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 | |
| Simultaneous Streams (Base Plan)(screens) | 3 | 3 | |
| DVR Storage Overage Cost(USD/month) | None (unlimited included) | None (unlimited included) | |
| Annual Cost (if prepaid)(USD) | $839.88 | $839.88 | |
| Total Channels(channels) | 100+ | 100+ | |
| Original Content Library(titles) | Limited (under 50) | Limited (under 50) | |
| Total Channels Available(channels) | 100+ total channels | 100+ total channels | |
| Live Sports Events Monthly(events) | 500+ | 500+ | |
| Original Content Hours Monthly(hours) | Minimal original content focus | Minimal original content focus | |
| Annual Cost (12 months)(USD) | $875.88 | $875.88 |
Sourced from publicly available data · Jun 2026
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
Hulu + Live TV
$76.99/month
YouTube TV
$73/month🏆
Hulu + Live TV
90+ channels
YouTube TV
100+ channels🏆
Hulu + Live TV
50 hours (expandable to 200 hours for $14.99/month)
YouTube TV
Unlimited storage🏆
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu's full catalog (10,000+ titles)🏆
YouTube TV
YouTube's ecosystem only
Hulu + Live TV
2 streams (3 with ads on Hulu)
YouTube TV
3 streams🏆
Hulu + Live TV
9 months
YouTube TV
9 months
Hulu + Live TV
100+ devices
YouTube TV
100+ devices
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Hulu + Live TV | YouTube TV |
|---|---|---|
| Base Monthly Price (2026)(USD) | $82.99/month | $82.99/month |
| Ad-Free Plan Cost(USD) | $95.99/month | $95.99/month |
| Base Monthly Price(USD) | $54.99 | $72.99 |
| Base Monthly Price(USD) | $76.99 | $82.99 |
| Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | $76.99 | $72.99 |
Show 15 more attributesAnnual Cost (12-month)(USD) $923.88 $875.88 Premium Tier Price (with Disney+ & ESPN+)(USD) $14.99/month extra Not available Base Monthly Price (2026)(USD) $60 (intro) / $83 (standard) — 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 — Monthly Cost (Base Plan 2026)(USD) $99.99 — 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 — Annual Cost (if prepaid)(USD) $839.88 — Annual Cost (12 months)(USD) $875.88 — | ||
| Live TV Channels(count) | 90+ | 85+ |
| On-Demand Content Titles(titles) | 10,000+ Hulu library | Channel VOD only (~2,000) |
| Live TV Channels Available(channels) | 90+ | — |
| Live Channels(channels) | 90+ | 100+ |
| On-Demand Titles(titles) | 10,000+ | — |
Show 18 more attributesLive TV Channels Included(channels) 90+ 100+ Bundled Premium Services(services) Disney+ and ESPN+ ($14.99 combined value) None included On-Demand Library Size(titles) 10,000+ YouTube only On-Demand Content Library(titles) 8,000+ Limited (YouTube only) Content Library Size(titles) 100+ live channels — Live TV Channels(channels) 100+ — Original Content Focus (2026) Moderate (licensed dominant) — 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 — On-Demand Content Library Size(titles) Minimal (YouTube originals only) — Live Channels Included(channels) 70+ — Regional Sports Networks Standard coverage only — Total Channels Available(channels) 100+ total channels — | ||
| Cloud DVR Storage(hours) | 1,000 | Unlimited (9-month retention) |
| Simultaneous Cloud DVR Recordings(recordings) | 50 simultaneous | 6 simultaneous |
| Multiview Sports Feature | No | Yes - Advanced customizable layouts (2026) |
| Maximum Simultaneous Streams(streams) | 2 | 3 streams |
| Cloud DVR Storage(hours) | 50 | Unlimited |
Show 21 more attributesSimultaneous Streams(streams) 2-3 6 Cloud DVR Storage Capacity(hours) 50 hours Unlimited DVR Content Retention Period(days) 30 days 270 days (9 months) Base DVR Storage Capacity(hours) 50 hours Unlimited DVR Recording Retention Period(months) 9 months 9 months DVR Storage Capacity(hours) 50 standard (200 with upgrade) Unlimited Simultaneous Streams(streams) 2 3 Family Accounts/Profiles(accounts) 6 6 Unlimited DVR All plans included — Family Sharing Accounts(profiles) 6 accounts standard — Simultaneous Streams (single account)(streams) Up to 3 — Household Accounts(accounts) Up to 6 — 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 — DVR Retention Period(days) 270 days (9 months) — Concurrent Streams Allowed(streams) 3 streams — Number of User Profiles(profiles) 6 profiles — Simultaneous Streams (Base Plan)(screens) 3 — | ||
| Monthly Subscription Price(USD) | $84.99/month | $76.99/month |
| Annual Cost (Base Plan)(USD) | $1,019.88/year | $923.88/year |
| Live Stream Video Quality(resolution/fps) | 1080p/60fps | — |
| Minimum Internet Speed Required(Mbps) | 8 Mbps minimum | — |
| Sports & Local News Coverage(availability) | Full coverage (ESPN, ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, locals) | — |
| Free Trial Length(days) | 3 | 7 |
| Free Trial Period(days) | No free trial offered | No free trial (5-day trial historically) |
| Free Trial Length(days) | 7 | — |
| Included Premium Services | Hulu (ad-supported), Disney+, ESPN+ bundles | YouTube Premium, YouTube Music |
| 4K Streaming Support | Limited | Yes (with add-on $9.99/mo) |
| 4K Content Support(boolean) | Yes (select content) | No |
| 4K Streaming Available | Yes, select content | — |
| 4K Content Available | Available with Premium tier ($13.99/month add-on) | — |
| Mobile App Quality | Good with Hulu integration | Excellent with quick guide navigation |
| Simultaneous Streams Allowed(streams) | 2 devices | 3 |
| Nightly TV Viewership Average (2026)(millions) | 11.1 | — |
| Ad-Free Viewing | Standard feature (no ads) | — |
| Cost Per Channel(USD per channel) | $0.86 | — |
| Price Per Channel(USD per channel) | $0.49/channel | — |
| AI-Powered Sports Features Launch(year) | 2026 (multiview, interactive features) | — |
| Contract Required | No | — |
| Live Events Per Year(events) | Varies (included in channels) | — |
| Total Channels(channels) | 100+ | — |
| Original Content Library(titles) | Limited (under 50) | — |
| NFL Regular Season Games (Annual)(games) | Included via ESPN networks | — |
| Live Sports Events Monthly(events) | 500+ | — |
| Local Broadcast Network Access(markets covered) | 90% of U.S. markets | — |
| Original Content Hours Monthly(hours) | Minimal original content focus | — |
Hulu + Live TVShow 15 more attributes
Show 18 more attributes
Show 21 more attributes
Visual Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of numeric attributes
Pros & Cons
11 pros·6 cons across both
Hulu + Live TV
Pros
- Integrated access to 10,000+ Hulu on-demand titles without separate subscription
- Includes Disney+ and ESPN+ at higher tiers for comprehensive entertainment
- Strong sports coverage with ESPN, Fox Sports, and regional sports networks
- Flexible DVR expansion to 200 hours for additional fee
- Simultaneous streaming on up to 3 devices with ad-free plan
Cons
- Higher base price at $76.99/month before DVR upgrades
- Limited to 50 hours of DVR storage on base plan; unlimited only with upgrade
- Fewer live TV channels (90+) compared to YouTube TV's 100+
YouTube TV
Pros
- 100+ live TV channels, most of any major streaming service
- Unlimited cloud DVR storage at no extra cost—record unlimited shows with no expiration limits
- Lowest price at $73/month (3% cheaper than Hulu + Live TV)
- 3 simultaneous streams standard on all plans
- Superior local channel availability in most US markets
- AI-powered recommendations and seamless Google ecosystem integration
Cons
- No bundled on-demand library; YouTube content only
- Does not include other streaming services (Netflix, Disney+, etc.)
- Limited sports options compared to Hulu's ESPN bundle
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
YouTube TV has superior DVR with unlimited storage at no additional cost, versus Hulu + Live TV's 50-hour limit (expandable to 200 hours for $14.99/month). Both retain recordings for 9 months, but YouTube TV allows you to record unlimited simultaneous shows without worrying about storage.
The base Hulu + Live TV plan ($76.99/month) does not include Disney+ or ESPN+. You can add the Disney Bundle (Hulu ad-free + Disney+ + ESPN+) for an additional $14.99/month, bringing the total to $91.98/month. YouTube TV does not offer bundled streaming services.
YouTube TV allows 3 simultaneous streams on all plans. Hulu + Live TV offers 2-3 streams depending on your plan tier (ad-supported plans get 2, ad-free gets 3), plus you can add an extra member for $14.99/month for additional simultaneous streams.
Both services carry major sports networks (ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC Sports), but Hulu + Live TV includes ESPN and ESPN2 bundled with the service, plus the option to add ESPN+ for even broader sports access. YouTube TV carries the same broadcast sports channels but doesn't include ESPN+ separately.
Yes, both services support major smart TV platforms including Roku, Fire TV, Google TV, Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, and LG. YouTube TV is optimized for Google TV and Android devices, while Hulu + Live TV works across 100+ devices with similar platform compatibility.
Resources & Learn More
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