YouTube TV vs Hulu + Live TV
YouTube TV offers 100+ live channels with unlimited DVR storage at $76.99/month, while Hulu + Live TV includes 90+ channels plus on-demand Hulu content at $84.99/month. The choice depends on whether you prioritize DVR flexibility or on-demand streaming integration.
YouTube TV
Google's live TV streaming service with 100+ channels and unlimited cloud DVR.
Cord-cutters who prioritize sports and live content with flexible recording, price-conscious families, and those with heavy DVR needs.
Hulu + Live TV
Disney's integrated service combining 90+ live channels with Hulu's on-demand streaming library.
Streaming-first viewers who want live TV plus on-demand content, Disney/ABC/Fox fans, and those seeking integration with Disney+ and ESPN+.
Quick Answer
AI SummaryYouTube TV offers 100+ live channels with unlimited DVR storage at $76.99/month, while Hulu + Live TV includes 90+ channels plus on-demand Hulu content at $84.99/month. The choice depends on whether you prioritize DVR flexibility or on-demand streaming integration.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose YouTube TV if you want the lowest price, unlimited DVR storage, more live channels, and don't rely heavily on on-demand content. Choose Hulu + Live TV if you value extensive on-demand programming, prefer a single unified platform for both live and streaming content, and don't mind paying slightly more for the integrated Hulu library.
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Choose YouTube TV if
👑 Best pickCord-cutters who prioritize sports and live content with flexible recording, price-conscious families, and those with heavy DVR needs.
Choose Hulu + Live TV if
Streaming-first viewers who want live TV plus on-demand content, Disney/ABC/Fox fans, and those seeking integration with Disney+ and ESPN+.
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Key Differences at a Glance
Key Facts & Figures
68 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | YouTube TV | Hulu + Live TV | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $76.99 | +8% |
| Simultaneous Streams (single account)(streams) | Up to 3 | — | — |
| Household Accounts(accounts) | Up to 6 | — | — |
| Free Trial Length(days) | 7 | — | — |
| Cost Per Channel(USD per channel) | $0.86 | — | — |
| Base Monthly Price (2026)(USD) | $82.99/month | $82.99/month | |
| On-Demand Content Titles(titles) | Channel VOD only (~2,000) | 10,000+ Hulu library | -80% |
| Simultaneous Cloud DVR Recordings(recordings) | 6 simultaneous | 50 simultaneous | -88% |
| Ad-Free Plan Cost(USD) | $95.99/month | $95.99/month | |
| Simultaneous Streams(streams) | 3 | 2 | +50% |
| Starting Monthly Price(USD) | $72.99/month | — | — |
| Local Channel Coverage(percent of US) | 95%+ of US markets | — | — |
| Maximum Simultaneous Streams(streams) | 3 streams | 2 | +50% |
| 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 | — | — |
| Base Monthly Price(USD) | $72.99 | $54.99 | +33% |
| Live Channels(channels) | 100+ | 90+ | +11% |
| Simultaneous Streams(streams) | 6 | 2-3 | +140% |
| Free Trial Length(days) | 7 | 3 | +133% |
| 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 | — | — |
| Live TV Channels(count) | 85+ | 90+ | -6% |
| Simultaneous Streams (Base Plan)(screens) | 3 | — | — |
| DVR Storage Overage Cost(USD/month) | None (unlimited included) | — | — |
| Cloud DVR Storage Capacity(hours) | Unlimited | 50 hours | — |
| DVR Content Retention Period(days) | 270 days (9 months) | 30 days | +800% |
| Live TV Channels Included(channels) | 100+ | 90+ | +11% |
| Annual Cost (12-month)(USD) | $875.88 | $923.88 | -5% |
| Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | $72.99 | $76.99 | -5% |
| Annual Cost (if prepaid)(USD) | $839.88 | — | — |
| Total Channels(channels) | 100+ | — | — |
| Simultaneous Streams Allowed(streams) | 3 | 2 devices | +50% |
| Original Content Library(titles) | Limited (under 50) | — | — |
| Base DVR Storage Capacity(hours) | Unlimited | 50 hours | — |
| On-Demand Library Size(titles) | YouTube only | 10,000+ | — |
| DVR Recording Retention Period(months) | 9 months | 9 months | |
| Premium Tier Price (with Disney+ & ESPN+)(USD) | Not available | $14.99/month extra | — |
| Total Channels Available(channels) | 100+ total channels | — | — |
| Live Sports Events Monthly(events) | 500+ | — | — |
| Original Content Hours Monthly(hours) | Minimal original content focus | — | — |
| Annual Cost (12 months)(USD) | $875.88 | — | — |
| Monthly Subscription Price(USD) | $76.99/month | $84.99/month | -9% |
| On-Demand Content Library(titles) | Limited (YouTube only) | 8,000+ | -100% |
| Family Accounts/Profiles(accounts) | 6 | 6 | |
| Annual Cost (Base Plan)(USD) | $923.88/year | $1,019.88/year | -9% |
| Live TV Channels Available(channels) | 90+ | 90+ | |
| Minimum Internet Speed Required(Mbps) | 8 Mbps minimum | 8 Mbps minimum | |
| On-Demand Titles(titles) | 10,000+ | 10,000+ |
Sourced from publicly available data · Jun 2026
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
YouTube TV
$76.99🏆
Hulu + Live TV
$84.99
YouTube TV
100+🏆
Hulu + Live TV
90+
YouTube TV
Unlimited🏆
Hulu + Live TV
50 hours (standard)
YouTube TV
Minimal (YouTube integration only)
Hulu + Live TV
8,000+ titles (Hulu library included)🏆
YouTube TV
3 concurrent streams🏆
Hulu + Live TV
2 concurrent streams
YouTube TV
6 family accounts
Hulu + Live TV
Up to 6 profiles
YouTube TV
Select events included
Hulu + Live TV
Select events included
Full Comparison
| Attribute | YouTube TV | Hulu + Live TV |
|---|---|---|
| Base Monthly Price (2026)(USD) | $60 (intro) / $83 (standard) | — |
| Base Monthly Price(USD) | $82.99 | $76.99 |
| Base Monthly Price (2026)(USD) | $82.99/month | $82.99/month |
| Ad-Free Plan Cost(USD) | $95.99/month | $95.99/month |
| Starting Monthly Price(USD) | $72.99/month | — |
Show 16 more attributesPrice Difference vs Cheapest Option(USD per month) +$32.99 — Base Monthly Cost(USD) $72.99/month — Monthly Base Subscription Cost(USD) $82.99 — Base Monthly Price(USD) $72.99 $54.99 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 (12-month)(USD) $875.88 $923.88 Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) $72.99 $76.99 Annual Cost (if prepaid)(USD) $839.88 — Free Trial Period(days) No free trial (5-day trial historically) No free trial offered Premium Tier Price (with Disney+ & ESPN+)(USD) Not available $14.99/month extra Annual Cost (12 months)(USD) $875.88 — | ||
| 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) | 10,000+ Hulu library |
| Local Channel Coverage(percent of US) | 95%+ of US markets | — |
Show 18 more attributesTotal 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+ 90+ 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+ Live TV Channels Included(channels) 100+ 90+ Bundled Premium Services(services) None included Disney+ and ESPN+ ($14.99 combined value) On-Demand Library Size(titles) YouTube only 10,000+ Total Channels Available(channels) 100+ total channels — On-Demand Content Library(titles) Limited (YouTube only) 8,000+ Live TV Channels Available(channels) 90+ — On-Demand Titles(titles) 10,000+ — | ||
| 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 | — |
| Simultaneous Cloud DVR Recordings(recordings) | 6 simultaneous | 50 simultaneous |
Show 21 more attributesMultiview Sports Feature Yes - Advanced customizable layouts (2026) No Simultaneous Streams(streams) 3 2 DVR Storage (Standard)(hours) Unlimited — Maximum Simultaneous Streams(streams) 3 streams 2 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 50 Simultaneous Streams(streams) 6 2-3 DVR Storage Capacity(hours) Unlimited 50 standard (200 with upgrade) 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 — Cloud DVR Storage Capacity(hours) Unlimited 50 hours DVR Content Retention Period(days) 270 days (9 months) 30 days Cloud DVR Storage(hours) Unlimited (9-month retention) 1,000 Base DVR Storage Capacity(hours) Unlimited 50 hours DVR Recording Retention Period(months) 9 months 9 months Family Accounts/Profiles(accounts) 6 6 | ||
| Nightly TV Viewership Average (2026)(millions) | 11.1 | — |
| Ad-Free Viewing | Standard feature (no ads) | — |
| Free Trial Length(days) | 7 | — |
| Free Trial Length(days) | 7 | 3 |
| 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) | Limited |
| 4K Content Available | Available with Premium tier ($13.99/month add-on) | — |
| 4K Content Support(boolean) | No | Yes (select content) |
| AI-Powered Sports Features Launch(year) | 2026 (multiview, interactive features) | — |
| Included Premium Services | YouTube Premium, YouTube Music | Hulu (ad-supported), Disney+, ESPN+ bundles |
| Mobile App Quality | Excellent with quick guide navigation | Good with Hulu integration |
| Contract Required | No | — |
| Live Events Per Year(events) | Varies (included in channels) | — |
| Total Channels(channels) | 100+ | — |
| Simultaneous Streams Allowed(streams) | 3 | 2 devices |
| 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 | — |
| Monthly Subscription Price(USD) | $76.99/month | $84.99/month |
| Annual Cost (Base Plan)(USD) | $923.88/year | $1,019.88/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) | — |
Hulu + Live TVShow 16 more attributes
Show 18 more attributes
Show 21 more attributes
Visual Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of numeric attributes
Pros & Cons
10 pros·5 cons across both
YouTube TV
Pros
- Unlimited DVR storage (no expiration on recordings)
- 100+ live TV channels (more than competitor)
- 3 simultaneous streams (50% more than Hulu + Live TV)
- $8 cheaper per month than Hulu + Live TV
- 6 family accounts with separate profiles and recommendations
Cons
- Limited on-demand content outside live TV
- Mandatory ads on local/regional sports (unavoidable)
Hulu + Live TV
Pros
- 8,000+ on-demand titles through Hulu included in base plan
- Integrated single platform for live TV and streaming content
- Next-day episode availability for major networks (ABC, NBC, Fox)
- Premium add-ons available (Disney+, ESPN+ bundle options)
- Advanced search across live and on-demand content
Cons
- 50-hour standard DVR limit (upgradeable to 200 hours for +$15.99/month)
- Only 2 simultaneous streams (vs YouTube TV's 3)
- $8 more expensive per month than YouTube TV
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
Yes, YouTube TV offers truly unlimited cloud DVR storage at no additional cost. Recordings are stored indefinitely with no expiration date, unlike Hulu + Live TV which limits standard users to 50 hours. However, YouTube TV shows ads on certain local/regional sports broadcasts.
The base Hulu + Live TV plan ($84.99/month) includes only Hulu with ads or ad-free Hulu (+$14.99/month upgrade). Disney+ and ESPN+ are separate paid add-ons. However, Disney offers a bundle combining all three for $14.99-$24.99/month depending on ad preferences.
YouTube TV allows 3 simultaneous streams across different devices on the same account. Hulu + Live TV permits only 2 concurrent streams. Both services allow creating multiple family profiles for separate viewing experiences and personalized recommendations.
Both services carry major sports networks (ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC Sports, etc.). YouTube TV includes 100+ channels vs Hulu's 90+, but the practical sports difference is minimal. YouTube TV offers unlimited DVR for sports events, while Hulu limits DVR to 50 hours. YouTube TV also includes YouTube Premium Sports experience for select 4K events.
Yes. Hulu + Live TV subscribers can upgrade from 50 hours to 200 hours of DVR storage for an additional $15.99/month. This brings the total monthly cost to approximately $100.98 and still doesn't match YouTube TV's unlimited storage.
Resources & Learn More
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Where to Buy
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Wikipedia
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