YouTube TV vs Hulu
YouTube TV
Live TV streaming service with unlimited cloud DVR and 85+ channels
Sports enthusiasts, cord-cutters who record heavily, families wanting multiple simultaneous streams, Google ecosystem users
Hulu with Live TV
Live TV streaming service with 90+ channels plus 10,000+ on-demand titles
Viewers wanting comprehensive on-demand entertainment alongside live TV, families with diverse viewing preferences, Disney Bundle subscribers
Short Answer
YouTube TV offers unlimited cloud DVR and 85+ channels for $72.99/month, while Hulu with Live TV provides 90+ channels with on-demand content for $76.99/month. YouTube TV excels for sports and DVR features, while Hulu is better for on-demand entertainment libraries.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose YouTube TV if you prioritize unlimited DVR storage, value cloud recording features, and want to record sports and shows indefinitely without worry. Choose Hulu with Live TV if you prefer a robust on-demand library alongside live TV and don't need extensive DVR capabilities, making it ideal for viewers who watch a mix of live and pre-recorded content.
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Choose YouTube TV if
Sports enthusiasts, cord-cutters who record heavily, families wanting multiple simultaneous streams, Google ecosystem users
Choose Hulu with Live TV if
Viewers wanting comprehensive on-demand entertainment alongside live TV, families with diverse viewing preferences, Disney Bundle subscribers
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Key Differences at a Glance
Key Facts & Figures
| Metric | YouTube TV | Hulu with Live TV | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Monthly Price (2026)(USD) | $60 (intro) / $83 (standard) | — | — |
| Live TV Channels(channels) | 100+ | — | — |
| Nightly TV Viewership Average (2026)(millions) | 11.1 | — | — |
| Family Sharing Accounts(profiles) | 6 accounts standard | — | — |
| Base Monthly Price(USD) | $82.99 | — | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | $72.99 | — | — |
| Simultaneous Streams (single account)(streams) | Up to 3 | — | — |
| Household Accounts(accounts) | Up to 6 | — | — |
| Free Trial Length(days) | 7 | 7 | — |
| Cost Per Channel(USD per channel) | $0.86 | — | — |
| Base Monthly Price (2026)(USD) | $82.99/month | — | — |
| On-Demand Content Titles(titles) | Channel VOD only (~2,000) | — | — |
| Simultaneous Cloud DVR Recordings(recordings) | 6 simultaneous | — | — |
| Ad-Free Plan Cost(USD) | $95.99/month | — | — |
| Simultaneous Streams(screens) | 3 | — | — |
| Starting Monthly Price(USD) | $72.99/month | — | — |
| Total Channels(channels) | 100+ channels | — | — |
| Local Channel Coverage(percent of US) | 95%+ of US markets | — | — |
| Maximum Simultaneous Streams(screens) | 6 streams | — | — |
| Price Difference vs Cheapest Option(USD per month) | +$32.99 | — | — |
| Base Monthly Cost(USD) | $72.99/month | — | — |
| Total Live Channels(channels) | 150+ channels | — | — |
| Sports Networks Included(count) | 20+ networks | — | — |
| Price Per Channel(USD per channel) | $0.49/channel | — | — |
| Monthly Base Subscription Cost(USD) | $82.99 | — | — |
| Simultaneous Stream Capability(screens) | 6 simultaneous streams | — | — |
| Sports Content Percentage(percent) | ~50% | — | — |
| Entertainment/News Content Percentage(percent) | ~50% | — | — |
| AI-Powered Sports Features Launch(year) | 2026 (multiview, interactive features) | — | — |
| Live TV Channel Count(channels) | 150+ channels | — | — |
| Annual Cost (12 months)(USD) | $995.88 | — | — |
| Base Monthly Price(USD) | $72.99 | — | — |
| Live Channels(channels) | 100+ | — | — |
| Simultaneous Streams(streams) | 6 | — | — |
| Free Trial Length(days) | 7 | — | — |
| Monthly Cost (Base Plan 2026)(USD) | $99.99 | — | — |
| DVR Retention Period(days) | 270 days (9 months) | — | — |
| Concurrent Streams Allowed(streams) | 3 streams | — | — |
| Number of User Profiles(profiles) | 6 profiles | — | — |
| On-Demand Content Library Size(titles) | Minimal (YouTube originals only) | — | — |
| Monthly Base Price(USD) | $72.99 | — | — |
| Live Channels Included(channels) | 70+ | — | — |
| Annual Price (Base Plan)(USD) | $875.88 | — | — |
| Monthly Cost (Base Plan)(USD) | $72.99 | $76.99 | -5% |
| Live TV Channels(count) | 85+ | 90+ | -6% |
| On-Demand Library Size(titles) | Network libraries only (~2,000) | 10,000+ | -80% |
| Simultaneous Streams (Base Plan)(screens) | 3 | 2 | +50% |
| DVR Storage Overage Cost(USD/month) | None (unlimited included) | $9.99 (for 200 hours total) | -100% |
All figures sourced from publicly available data. Last updated Jun 2026.
Key Differences
YouTube TV
Unlimited🏆
Hulu with Live TV
50 hours (basic) / 200 hours (with add-on)
YouTube TV
85+ channels
Hulu with Live TV
90+ channels🏆
YouTube TV
Limited (network libraries only)
Hulu with Live TV
10,000+ titles🏆
YouTube TV
$72.99🏆
Hulu with Live TV
$76.99
YouTube TV
3 screens🏆
Hulu with Live TV
2 screens (basic) / 4 screens (premium)
YouTube TV
All major networks (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL)
Hulu with Live TV
All major networks (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL)
YouTube TV
7 days
Hulu with Live TV
7 days
Full Comparison
| Attribute | YouTube TV |  Hulu with Live TV |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — |
| Ad-Free Plan Cost(USD) | $95.99/month | — |
Show 12 more attributesStarting 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 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 $76.99 DVR Storage Overage Cost(USD/month) None (unlimited included) $9.99 (for 200 hours total) Bundle Discount Available(boolean) No official bundles Yes - Disney Bundle ($14.99/month with Disney+, ESPN+) | ||
| Content Library Size(titles) | 100+ live channels | — |
| Live TV Channels(channels) | 100+ | — |
| Original Content Focus (2026) | Moderate (licensed dominant) | — |
| On-Demand Content Titles(titles) | Channel VOD only (~2,000) | — |
| Total Channels(channels) | 100+ channels | — |
Show 13 more attributesLocal 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+ — On-Demand Content Library Size(titles) Minimal (YouTube originals only) — Live Channels Included(channels) 70+ — Regional Sports Networks Standard coverage only — Live TV Channels(count) 85+ 90+ On-Demand Library Size(titles) Network libraries only (~2,000) 10,000+ | ||
| Unlimited DVR | All plans included | — |
| Family Sharing Accounts(profiles) | 6 accounts standard | — |
| Cloud DVR Storage(hours) | Unlimited | 50 (expandable to 200 with $9.99/month add-on) |
| Simultaneous Streams (single account)(streams) | Up to 3 | — |
| Household Accounts(accounts) | Up to 6 | — |
Show 14 more attributesSimultaneous 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 — DVR Storage Capacity(hours) Unlimited — 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 2 | ||
| Nightly TV Viewership Average (2026)(millions) | 11.1 | — |
| Ad-Free Viewing | Standard feature (no ads) | — |
| Free Trial Length(days) | 7 | 7 |
| Cost Per Channel(USD per channel) | $0.86 | — |
| Price Per Channel(USD per channel) | $0.49/channel | — |
| 4K Streaming Available | Yes, select content | — |
| 4K Streaming Support | Yes (with add-on $9.99/mo) | — |
| 4K Content Available | Available with Premium tier ($13.99/month add-on) | — |
| 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 with Live TVShow 12 more attributes
Show 13 more attributes
Show 14 more attributes
Visual Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of numeric attributes
Pros & Cons
YouTube TV
Pros
- Unlimited cloud DVR storage with no expiration
- 3 simultaneous streams included (vs. 2 on Hulu basic)
- Seamless integration with Google ecosystem and YouTube Premium
- Strong sports coverage with all major networks
- $4 cheaper per month than Hulu with Live TV
- Family sharing allows 6 accounts under one subscription
Cons
- Limited on-demand library compared to Hulu
- No bundling with ad-free entertainment streaming (requires separate YouTube Premium subscription)
- Fewer international channels and content variety
Hulu with Live TV
Pros
- 10,000+ on-demand titles included (largest streaming library among live TV services)
- Bundle options with Disney+ and ESPN+ for $14.99/month (combined)
- 90+ live channels (5+ more than YouTube TV)
- 4 simultaneous streams available on premium plan
- Extensive back-catalog of TV shows and movies
- Original content and exclusive shows
Cons
- Only 50 hours of DVR storage on basic plan (requires $9.99/month add-on for 200 hours)
- Highest base price at $76.99/month among major live TV services
- Limited simultaneous streams on basic plan (2 screens)
Frequently Asked Questions
YouTube TV is superior for sports recording because it offers unlimited cloud DVR storage with no expiration date, allowing you to keep unlimited sports recordings indefinitely. Hulu with Live TV's 50-hour limit means older games get automatically deleted. Both carry all major sports networks (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college sports), but YouTube TV's DVR advantage is decisive for serious sports fans.
Resources & Learn More
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