Hulu + Live TV vs YouTube TV: Which one is right for you?

Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV compared

Hulu + Live TV vs YouTube TV content

Hulu + Live TV is one of the best live TV streaming services on the market. The streamer offers 95-plus channels, including local channels ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC. There's a wealth of news, entertainment and sports programming across multiple other channels like MSNBC, HGTV, Hallmark Channel, TLC, TNT, Telemundo, TBS, History, Discovery Channel and Food Network. The on-demand library features many of the most popular series, like "Abbott Elementary," "Only Murders in the Building," "The Bear" and "The Kardashians," or fan favorites like "The Golden Girls." 

The Disney Plus and ESPN Plus are valuable additions to the package. Subscribers can enjoy classic animated films, musicals, concerts and the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe catalog. Sports fans can access ESPN Plus' original shows and the celebrated "30 for 30" sports documentaries like the Academy Award-winning "O.J.: Made in America."

YouTube TV is no slouch, either. NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox, Fox News Channel, ESPN, Univision, MSNBC, HGTV, Hallmark Channel, TLC, TNT, Telemundo, TBS, Discovery Channel, Food Network, USA Network, CNN, Bravo and The C.W. are just a few of the over 100 channels. YouTube TV features key channels Hulu + Live TV omits, like Univision, AMC Network, Ion, BBC America, BBC World News and Sundance. You can also add premium channels like Cinemax and STARZ.

Hulu + Live TV vs YouTube TV DVR

Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV offer unlimited DVR storage. But just because it’s unlimited doesn’t mean your programming will last forever. Both live TV streaming services only allow subscribers to keep recordings for up to nine months before they automatically delete. If you’ve recorded shows from Hulu + Live TV’s ad-supported plan, you can fast forward through commercials. You have the choice to record new shows and reruns or solely new shows. 

YouTube TV also lets you set up recurring recordings of your favorite shows and team games. Even If you didn’t hit record and a program has already started, you can start watching from the beginning. Go to the guide and select the watch from the beginning option.

Hulu + Live TV vs YouTube TV personalization and user experience

Hulu + Live TV allows users to create up to seven profiles, meaning families with large households can comfortably customize their streaming experience. A tastepicker helps curate your profile by collecting information about your preferred genres of movies and television shows. Like and dislike buttons are another feature for providing feedback to the streamer. 

You can also remove shows from your watch history to discourage similar suggestions. Hulu + Live TV only offers two simultaneous streams, so depending on the number of people at home at any given time, someone could miss out while others enjoy their programming. There are also other limitations. The Kids profile doesn’t allow for regulating maturity levels. The family-friendly content is tailor-made for toddlers and older kids but less appropriate for tweens. 

YouTube TV lets subscribers create up to six profiles, but more importantly, each profile comes equipped with DVR storage. And with unlimited DVR storage, users can record and save programs to their heart’s content. For a more personalized experience, you can tweak your channel lineup and search history. YouTube TV one-ups Hulu + Live TV with three simultaneous streams. 

The service also boasts some unique features for sports fans. Fantasy football enthusiasts can link their team account to the mobile app for live in-game updates. Stats View provides up-to-the-minute info on both individual and team statistics. Key Plays zeroes in on the most critical parts of the game. YouTube TV also allows more flexibility in its parental controls. Subscribers can moderate based on show ratings and set password prompts to restrict inappropriate content.

Hulu + Live TV vs YouTube TV for sports fans

Let’s start with the pros. Hulu + Live TV offers over a dozen sports-centric channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, Big Ten Network, ACC Network, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, the Golf Channel, NFL Network and SEC Network. Where the service falls short is NBA coverage. 

You can catch the nationally televised games on ABC, ESPN and TNT, but the lineup doesn’t include NBA TV, nor can you purchase NBA League Pass as an add-on. Hulu + Live TV also offers no regional sports networks (RSNs), meaning no access to local sports programming. But if you’re into March Madness, you can follow along on TBS, CBS, TNT and TruTV. You can supplement your package with a sports add-on that unlocks NFL RedZone, FanDuel TV, FanDuel Racing, MAVTV, Outdoor Channel and Sportsman Channel.

YouTube TV doesn’t include RSNs, either. But there is still a lot to look forward to. It’s the home of the super popular NFL Sunday Ticket add-on, which provides access to out-of-market games. The platform’s 100-plus channels feature some of the most watched local and sports networks like ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2, Golf Channel, NBA TV, NBC Sports Network, NFL Network and SEC Network. 

With these channels, you can enjoy the Super Bowl, College Football Playoffs, the World Series and more. Where YouTube TV truly outpaces Hulu + Live TV are its add-ons. YouTube TV more than doubles Hulu’s offering with a 14-channel package. This extra adds beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS XTRA, Billiard TV, FOX Soccer Plus, MAVTV Motorsports Network, NFL RedZone, Outside, PlayersTV, PokerGO+, SportsGrid, Stadium, Tennis Channel, FanDuel TV, VSiN, Fight Network and Impact Wrestling.

What does the online community have to say?

Online forums make these points about Hulu + Live TV:

• Good picture quality with support for 1080p and Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 sound
• Large on-demand catalog, including Hulu originals and FX content
• Includes regional sports networks (RSNs)
• DVR is unreliable and users are forced to watch commercials on DVR recordings
• User interface (UI) is difficult to navigate
• Some users reported frequent buffering and lagging during live events

Online forums make these points about YouTube TV:

• Reliable DVR functionality
• Intuitive and customizable UI
• Reliable for out-of-home viewing
• Minimal buffering and lagging during playback. Particularly during live events
• Offers local channels depnding on region
• On-demand catalog is updated frequently

FAQ

Should I switch from Hulu to YouTube TV?

This depends on your viewing needs. If you’re looking for robust sports content or are an NBA superfan, YouTube TV is your best bet. But if you’re drawn to the idea of three streaming services rolled into one, Hulu + Live TV is a value-packed option. 

Is Hulu + Live TV the best option?

Hulu + Live TV is a fantastic three-in-one deal with a content library filled with quality programming. 

Is YouTube TV the best option?

YouTube TV offers over 100 channels spanning a range of diverse channels and tons of sports programming.