About to cut the cord but not sure which Live TV streaming service is right for you? Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV are two of the most popular cable TV alternatives available right now.
They offer an extensive selection of channels and interesting features that are worth checking out. However, they have some key differences.
But which one is the best? And is there even a clear winner? In this post, we’ll take a look at YouTube TV vs. Hulu Live to see which one comes out on top. Spoiler alert: it’s not always clear cut!
YouTube TV vs. Hulu Live: Feature-by-Feature Comparison
In this section, we’ll take a close look at what each one has to offer. Going through the breakdown of their features will help you decide which one is best for you.
Price
First of all, neither one comes cheap. The base price of YouTube TV is 65.99$ per month, while the Hulu + Live TV will set you back by 69.99$.
The price may seem a bit high compared to Sling TV and Philo, but you need to consider that it’s for everything included in the package. You won’t be forced to pick and choose among the channels.
There’s no annual contract, and you can cancel anytime without any penalty. But keep in mind that you may have to pay sales tax depending upon which state you live in.
Both have add-on features allowing you to enjoy additional channels and exclusive benefits. We’ll cover them in the later sections of this article.
Selection of Channels
Before cutting the cord, it’s natural to wonder if you are going to be missing out on some of your favorite live TV channels. If you get either YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV, there’s no need to be concerned.
Hulu + Live TV comes with around 75 channels, while YouTube TV lets you stream more than 80 channels. Yes, they have all the popular channels you’re going to want to watch at your home.
You won’t be missing out on any major broadcasting networks as they have CBS, Fox, ABC, Telemundo channels, and NBC included in their channel lineups. However, YouTube has a slight edge here as PBS channels can only be streamed on YouTube TV.
Also, the two video streaming services provide a variety of local channels, so you’ll never miss out on what’s happening in your community.
- News
If you love keeping up with what’s happening around the world, neither live TV services will disappoint you. They have all the cable TV favorites for news coverage such as CBSN, CNN, Fox News Channel, ABC News Live, MSNBC, etc.
In addition, YouTube TV offers BBC World News, BBC America, TYT, Local Now, CNBC World, and Newsy. So, the news lineup of Youtube TV is a bit better than the Hulu + Live TV.
- Sports
You can catch a good amount of sports on broadcast networks. But for analysis, vintage clips, and other exclusive stuff, you will need sports channels. And if you enjoy following local sports teams, you’ll need access to regional sports networks.
Both live streaming services are neck-to-neck in terms of game day broadcasts and cover all the important sports channels. Their channel lineups include ESPN, ESPN News, ESPN2, ESPN U, Olympic Channel, CBS Sports Network, SEC Network, Fox Sports channels, ACC Network, SNY, and BTN.
In addition to all that, YouTube has exclusive channels for avid sports fans such as NFL Network, Tennis Channel, NBA TV, and MLB Network. Meanwhile, Hulu stands out with ESPN College Extra, ESPN 3, and ESPN Goal Line.
- Entertainment
Entertainment channels like HBO, Comedy Central, and AMC help you relax and unwind after a long day of work. And both YouTube and Hulu have an impressive line of entertainment channels.
Whether you’re looking for funny shows, interesting documentaries, or thrilling dramas to keep you hooked for hours on end, you will get them from their collection of channels.
Hulu + Live TV has as many as 28 entertainment channels, including:
Bravo, TBS, Cozi, E!, NASA, Food Network, Turner Classic Movies, National Geographic, FX, FXX, Vice, HGTV, truTV, History, ID, LifeTime, Discovery Channel, TLC, A&E, National Geographic Wild, Oxygen, Pop, SYFY, FXM, TNT, Travel Channel, MotorTrend, and the USA.
YouTube TV has all of them except LifeTime, A&E, Nasa, Vice, and History.
In addition, YouTube TV exclusively offers BET, CMT, Start TV, MTV, Comet TV, Comedy Central, TV Land, WE TV, IFC, MTV, Paramount, AMC, Sundance TV, Tastemade, OWN, Universo, and VH1.
- Kids
Kids represent a huge chunk of the TV audience, and it’s important to serve them quality children’s shows.
Both streaming services know that and have a good collection of Kid’s channels.
Hulu’s list of kid’s channels includes Disney Channel, Boomerang, Cartoon Network, Freeform, Disney XD, Universal Kids, Animal Planet, Disney Junior, Smithsonian Channel, and Cartoon Network.
With the exception of Boomerang, YouTube TV has all these channels. In addition, YouTube TV distinguishes itself from the competitors with PBS’s Thirteen, [email protected], and Nickelodeon.
Interface
Interface-wise, both are distinctively different, but nothing complex.
Maybe YouTube TV is a bit easier to navigate as its site structure helps you browse easily.
However, if you consider the look, the new design of Hulu + Live TV is sleek and eye-pleasing.
Add-on Channels
With add-ons, both these services allow you to include premium channels and other special features into your package. And the add-ons have been a huge success as they helped these services to meet the specific viewing needs of the consumers.
As a YouTube TV user, you can watch your favorite shows and movies on the go by adding channels like HBO Max, Cinemax, EPIX, Sundance Now, CuriosityStream, Acorn TV, EPIX, FOX Soccer Plus, Showtime, Shudder, NBA League Pass, UMC, AMC Premiere, Starz, and FOX Soccer Plus.
Also, they’ve added a new package to their lineup named Sports Plus to help you catch the sporting events all around the country. FOX Soccer Plus, MAVTV Motorsports Network, NFL RedZone, TVG, GOLTV, Stadium, and FOX College Sports.
YouTube TV users can get these channels and package for a variety of prices.
Hulu + Live TV also has the same premium channels as add-ons such as Showtime, Cinemax, Starz, and HBO Max. Furthermore, they also offer 2 add-on packages named Espa~nol and entertainment.
You can get the Espa~nol package for an additional fee of $4.99 which will include History Channel en Espa~nol, Discovery Familia, CNN en Espa~nol, ESPN Deportes, Universo, and Discovery en Espa~nol.
The entertainment package will cost you an extra $7.99, which will include CNBC World, Discovery Family, American Heroes Channel, Destination America, Science Channel, DIY Network, Cooking Channel, FYI, LMN, and Discovery Life.
Multiple Streams
You can watch Hulu + Live TV on 2 screens simultaneously. However, for only $9.99 per month, you can stream on unlimited devices at home with friends or family members without any interference. But only 3 devices are allowed outside the home.
YouTube TV has an advantage here as it allows for 3 simultaneous streams. You can stream on unlimited screens connected to your home wi-fi with an extra charge of $19.99 per month.
Supported Devices
You can just download the apps and start streaming if you have a smart TV. However, if you don’t own a smart TV, you can use a portable streaming device like Apple TV and connect it to the TV’s HDMI port to steam either of these services.
Though initially, YouTube TV wasn’t supported on many devices, it’s not the case now. You can now watch YouTube TV on almost any device. It’s supported by Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Xbox One, Android mobile devices, Android TV, Apple devices, Smart TVs, and Roku boxes.
You may have heard about the issue between Roku and YouTube TV that prevented viewers from streaming the service on Roku boxes. It has been solved now and shouldn’t be an issue anymore.
Hulu + Live TV is supported by all the devices mentioned above as well. But it’s the only live TV streaming service available on Nintendo consoles. So, if you’re a Nintendo user, you know which one to pick.
On-Demand Content
The on-demand content of streaming services mostly comes from the channels available within the package. If a channel is airing a new show, you can watch it on an on-demand content library later. Apart from that, they also offer movies, TV shows, and other content to keep the viewers engaged.
Now, the on-demand content library of YouTube TV is good, and the size is expanding continuously. True that you can’t compare the library with Netflix or Amazon Prime, but it still is good enough to cater to a wide range of audiences.
We can’t tell you the exact number of movies, documentaries, and TV shows available on YouTube TV, but it’s certainly more than 2000.
Some of their popular movies and shows include 22 Jump Street, A Wedding, and a Murder, American Hustle, Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, Bad Boys, Collateral, Dark Web Exposed, Fantastic Four, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, etc.
Since Disney is a major shareholder in Hulu + Live TV, they have a huge advantage here as Disney can use their considerable power and influence to contribute to the addition of amazing films and shows to the existing library.
The brilliant shows and movies on Hulu’s on demand library include Broad City, Bob’s Burgers, Good Wife, The X-Files, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Adventure Time, Recreation, etc. Moreover, Hulu is known for producing some highly-acclaimed original shows such as The Handmade’s Tale, The Great, Dopesick, Blood Moon, etc.
Free Trial
Hulu + Live TV lets you have a trial run for 7 days, while the trial period for YouTube TV is 14 days. I recommend trying them both before making any decision. That way, you’ll know if the service meets your requirements before making any commitment.
DVR Service
Here, YouTube TV not only beats Hulu but leaves all its competitors far behind. Their cloud-based DVR service offers you an unlimited amount of storage so that you’ll never run out of space to store all your favorite shows and movies again!
In comparison, Hulu + Live TV only offers you 50 hours of storage. However, you can upgrade it to 200 hours with an additional charge of $9.99. So, YouTube TV is the clear winner here with its unlimited DVR storage.
4K Support
Live tv subscribers can activate the 4K option of YouTube TV for $19.99 on top of its base price. Though it adds to the experience and feels good to have that option, the 4K contents available at the moment is very limited. So, I’m not sure if it’s worth the extra 20 bucks.
You cannot watch 4K content on Hulu + Live TV as they stream their content in HD.
YouTube TV Pros
- More than 80 channels are available
- Unlimited Cloud DVR storage allows you to save your favorite shows for 90 days
- Easy-to-use interface
- Allows you to stream on 3 devices at the same time
- Supports 4k contents
YouTube TV Cons
- The parental options could have been better
- It does not include the Bally Sports RSNs
Hulu + Live TV Pros
- An extensive selection of channels consisting of all the major broadcast networks
- The on-demand content library is one of the best on the market
- Only live TV streaming service to be available on Nintendo
- Excellent add-on options
Hulu + Live TV Cons
- Need to pay extra to remove ads
- Bally Sports RSNs aren’t available
Conclusion
In the end, it boils down to personal preference and what you want from your live TV streaming service.
However, if we have to choose a winner in this YouTube TV vs. Hulu Live debate, we must go with YouTube TV as its bigger channel lineup, 4K content support, and unlimited DVR gives it an edge over the Hulu + Live TV.
However, if the on-demand content library is your priority, you should go with Hulu + Live TV.
We hope you enjoyed our article.
I have amazon witch I pay for. I have amazon prime witch I pay for. so why when we watch a movie on prime do they charge us $6.89 for the movie?