YouTube TV vs Hulu + Live TV 2026: Price & DVR
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.
Read full verdictChoose 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
Cord-cutters who prioritize sports and live content with flexible recording, price-conscious families, and those with heavy DVR needs.
Choose Hulu Live TV if
Best pickStreaming-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
- Monthly Base Price:✓ YouTube TV wins($76.99 vs $84.99)
- Live TV Channels:✓ YouTube TV wins(100+ vs 90+)
- DVR Storage:✓ YouTube TV wins(Unlimited vs 50 hours (standard))
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Netflix vs YouTube TV
Key Facts & Figures
14 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | YouTube TV | Hulu Live TV | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Monthly Price(USD) | $72.99 | $84.99 | |
| Simultaneous Streams(devices) | 3 screens | 2 | |
| Live TV Channels(channels) | 100+ | — | — |
| Nightly TV Viewership Average (2026)(millions) | 11.1 | — | — |
| Family Sharing Accounts(profiles) | 6 accounts standard | — | — |
| Simultaneous Streams (single account)(streams) | Up to 3 | — | — |
| Household Accounts(accounts) | Up to 6 | — | — |
| Cost Per Channel(USD per channel) | $0.86 | — | — |
| Simultaneous Cloud DVR Recordings(recordings) | 6 simultaneous | 50 simultaneous | |
| Starting Monthly Price(USD) | $73.99 | $85.99 | |
| Price Difference vs Cheapest Option(USD per month) | +$32.99 | — | — |
| Base Monthly Cost(USD) | $99.99 | $76.99 | |
| Sports Networks Included(count) | 20+ networks | — | — |
| Price per Channel(USD per channel) | $1.04 per channel | — | — |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- $76.99(winner)Monthly Base Price$84.99
- 100+(winner)Live TV Channels90+
- Unlimited(winner)DVR Storage50 hours (standard)
- Minimal (YouTube integration only)On-Demand Content Library8,000+ titles (Hulu library included)(winner)
- 3 concurrent streams(winner)Simultaneous Streams2 concurrent streams
- 6 family accountsFamily Sharing ProfilesUp to 6 profiles
- Select events included4K Live Sports SupportSelect events included
- Monthly Base Price
YouTube TV
$76.99(winner)
Hulu Live TV
$84.99
- Live TV Channels
YouTube TV
100+(winner)
Hulu Live TV
90+
- DVR Storage
YouTube TV
Unlimited(winner)
Hulu Live TV
50 hours (standard)
- On-Demand Content Library
YouTube TV
Minimal (YouTube integration only)
Hulu Live TV
8,000+ titles (Hulu library included)(winner)
- Simultaneous Streams
YouTube TV
3 concurrent streams(winner)
Hulu Live TV
2 concurrent streams
Full Comparison
| Attribute | YouTube TV | Hulu Live TV |
|---|---|---|
| Base Monthly Price(USD) | $72.99 | $84.99 |
| Starting Monthly Price(USD) | $73.99(winner) | $85.99 |
| Price Difference vs Cheapest Option(USD per month) | +$32.99 | — |
| On-Demand Content Library | Minimal (YouTube integration only) | 8,000+ titles (Hulu library included)(winner) |
| Simultaneous Streams(devices) | 3 screens | 2 |
| 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 | — |
Show 5 more attributesSimultaneous Cloud DVR Recordings(recordings) 6 simultaneous 50 simultaneous Multiview Sports Feature Yes - Advanced customizable layouts (2026) No DVR Storage (Standard)(hours) Unlimited — Customizable Channel Selection(yes/no) Genre-based plans (2026) — No-Contract Cancellation(yes/no) Yes, anytime — | ||
| Content Library Size(titles) | 100+ live channels | — |
| Live TV Channels(channels) | 100+ | — |
| Original Content Focus (2026) | Moderate (licensed dominant) | — |
| Sports Networks Included(count) | 20+ networks | — |
| News Networks Included(major networks) | CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, NBC News, ABC News | — |
| 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) | $1.04 per channel | — |
| 4K Streaming Available | Yes ($9.99/month add-on) | No |
| Base Monthly Cost(USD) | $99.99 | $76.99(winner) |
Show 5 more attributes
Pros & Cons
10 pros·5 cons across both
YouTube TV
Pros
Cons
Hulu Live TV
Pros
Cons
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
It depends on your priorities. YouTube TV is better if you: (1) record a lot of content and want unlimited DVR storage with no extra fee; (2) are already a heavy YouTube user and want seamless integration; (3) don't need Disney+ or ESPN+ separately. Hulu + Live TV is better if you: (1) want Disney+, Hulu on-demand, and ESPN+ bundled together (saving vs. separate subscriptions); (2) value a large on-demand library alongside live TV; (3) are a Disney/Marvel/Star Wars content household. For most families with streaming-age children, Hulu's Disney Bundle is the stronger value proposition.
YouTube TV costs $72.99/month for the base package (100+ channels, unlimited DVR, 3 simultaneous streams, 6 user profiles). The 4K Plus add-on is $9.99/month extra, enabling 4K streaming where available and adding unlimited simultaneous streams for home viewers. Sports Plus ($10.99/month) adds niche sports channels (RedZone, NFL Network, Big Ten Network, etc.). Total with all add-ons: approximately $93-100+/month. Hulu + Live TV starts at $77.99/month (with Disney+ and ESPN+ bundle included) or $82.99/month if you want both Hulu live and on-demand together.
Yes — YouTube TV includes unlimited cloud DVR storage at no extra cost. Recordings are stored for 9 months (not indefinitely), but there is no storage cap. You can record as many shows, movies, and sports events as you want simultaneously. Hulu + Live TV provides 50 hours of DVR storage in the base plan; unlimited DVR upgrade costs $9.99/month extra. For households that record many shows or sports events, YouTube TV's unlimited included DVR is a significant advantage over Hulu's base DVR offering.
Yes. Hulu + Live TV comes bundled with Disney+ (ad-supported) and ESPN+ at $82.99/month (including Hulu on-demand). If you want Disney+ with no ads, the premium bundle costs $95.99/month. This makes the Hulu + Live TV bundle highly valuable for households that subscribe to Disney+ separately ($7.99-$13.99/month) or ESPN+ ($10.99/month) — you're effectively getting live TV plus multiple streaming services for a combined price lower than subscribing separately.
YouTube TV allows 3 simultaneous streams per account — meaning 3 people in the household can watch on separate devices at the same time. You can have up to 6 user accounts per YouTube TV membership. Unlimited simultaneous streams for home viewers (on the home network) is available with the 4K Plus add-on ($9.99/month). Hulu + Live TV allows 2 simultaneous streams in the base plan; the Unlimited Screens add-on ($17.99/month) removes the stream limit for home viewing.
Analysis: YouTube TV vs Hulu Live TV
YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV are the two most popular live TV streaming services (vMVPDs — virtual multichannel video programming distributors) in the United States, with combined subscriber counts representing the majority of the paid live streaming market.
YouTube TV, launched by Google in 2017, has approximately 8 million subscribers as of 2026 and costs $72.99/month. Its content lineup includes 100+ live channels covering all major broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS), major cable news (CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, CNBC), sports (ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2, NBCSN, Golf Channel, NBA TV, MLB Network), and entertainment (TBS, TNT, USA, Bravo, HGTV, Discovery, History). YouTube TV's signature feature is its unlimited cloud DVR storage — recordings never expire and aren't limited by storage cap, allowing subscribers to record any content and keep it for 9 months. Up to 3 simultaneous streams per account; up to 6 user accounts per household. YouTube TV's interface is deeply integrated with the YouTube app (browse, search, and switch between YouTube videos and live TV seamlessly), which is valuable for households that use YouTube extensively. 4K Plus add-on ($9.99/month) enables 4K streaming where available.
Hulu + Live TV ($82.99/month with Hulu on-demand and Disney Bundle included; $77.99/month without) is owned by Hulu, LLC (a Disney majority-owned entity, with Comcast's 33% stake being acquired by Disney in 2024). Its content lineup is similar to YouTube TV: 90+ live channels including broadcast networks, cable news, sports, and entertainment. Hulu + Live TV's key differentiation is its bundle value: the Disney Bundle (Disney+, Hulu on-demand, ESPN+ included) at comparable pricing makes it highly competitive for households that already subscribe to Disney+ separately ($7.99-$13.99/month) or ESPN+ ($10.99/month). Hulu's on-demand library — 100,000+ titles including next-day broadcast TV, FX originals, and a substantial movie catalog — is a genuine content advantage. DVR storage: 50 hours base, unlimited DVR upgrade ($9.99/month). 2 simultaneous streams base; 3-screen unlimited upgrade ($17.99/month).
Read 2 more paragraphsShow less
Head-to-head: YouTube TV's unlimited DVR is the better choice for heavy DVR users who record many shows — no storage anxiety, no paying extra for unlimited. Hulu + Live TV with Disney Bundle provides more streaming content value at comparable price for households that want live TV + on-demand + Disney+ + ESPN+ in a single subscription. The Disney Bundle value proposition improves the effective cost per service significantly.
Channel lineup overlap is approximately 80-90% — most users find both services cover their essential channels. The decision typically comes down to DVR preference, Disney Bundle value, and interface preference (YouTube's search/recommendation vs. Hulu's on-demand catalog browsing).
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