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YouTube TV vs Hulu + Live TV

Quick answer

YouTube TV is the cleaner, more reliable pick for sports and news junkies, while Hulu + Live TV wins if you also want an on-demand library and Disney bundle baked right in.

Our pick

YouTube TV

Simple, clean live TV with unlimited DVR and zero drama.

4.2★

Hulu + Live TV

Live TV meets a massive on-demand vault — plus Disney and ESPN+ thrown in.

4.1★

Monthly Price

$72.99/mo

$82.99/mo (includes Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+)

Channel Count

~100 channels

~95 channels

DVR Storage

Unlimited

Unlimited (with base plan)

DVR Skip Ads

Yes (most content)

Limited — some content locked

Simultaneous Streams

3 (unlimited add-on ~$22.99/mo)

Unlimited screens at home, 2 outside

On-Demand Library

Limited (YouTube originals + network catch-up)

Hulu's full ~95,000-title on-demand vault

Disney Bundle Included

Yes — Disney+ and ESPN+ included

4K Streaming

Yes (4K Plus add-on ~$9.99/mo)

Yes (add-on ~$9.99/mo)

Local Channels

ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX in most markets

Regional Sports Networks

No RSNs

Limited RSN availability

Free Trial

None currently

3 days

Interface Quality

Clean, fast, Google-polished UI

Decent but can feel cluttered

YouTube TV

DVR Storage★★★★★

Ease of Use★★★★½

Channel Count★★★★½

Device Support★★★★½

Sports Coverage★★★★½

Value for Money★★★½☆

On-Demand Library★★★☆☆

Hulu + Live TV

DVR Storage★★★★☆

Ease of Use★★★½☆

Channel Count★★★★☆

Device Support★★★★½

Sports Coverage★★★★☆

Value for Money★★★★☆

On-Demand Library★★★★★

Worth knowing

YouTube TV launched in 2017 and now has over 6 million subscribers.
Hulu + Live TV's base price jumped significantly after bundling Disney+ and ESPN+ became mandatory in 2023.
YouTube TV's unlimited DVR holds recordings for 9 months — Hulu's holds them for only 9 months too, but with more playback restrictions.
Neither service currently carries regional sports networks, a sore spot for local team fans.
YouTube TV requires a $22.99/mo add-on just to get unlimited concurrent streams outside the home.

Hulu's name comes from a Mandarin phrase meaning 'gourd' — so you're essentially watching live football inside a vegetable.

If you want

You want the best DVR experience and a clean interface

YouTube TV's unlimited, ad-skippable DVR is the gold standard in the category.

→ Pick YouTube TV

If you want

You want live TV AND a huge on-demand library with Disney+ and ESPN+

Hulu + Live TV bundles three major services in one price — serious bang for the buck.

→ Pick Hulu + Live TV

If you want

You have a large household that streams simultaneously

Unlimited in-home streams beats YouTube TV's 3-stream default without paying extra.