Hulu vs. YouTube TV vs. Sling TV vs. DirecTV Stream channels
With soccer season right here, you may be making an attempt to navigate the way to stream the NFL without cable. Even if you happen to aren’t into sports activities, a live TV streaming service could possibly be the reply to your cord-cutting wants. Contract-free pricing, huge channel alternatives and the power to observe on a number of gadgets are all components that may make these companies aggressive in comparison with conventional TV or cable. You’ll be able to stream sports activities, premium channels or prime-time TV, and never solely do these platforms provide a broader lineup of channels in contrast with antennas, however in addition they present the comfort of watching in your laptop or cellular machine.
There are six main companies to choose from (we’re not together with smaller ones): YouTube TV, Hulu Plus Live TV, Sling TV, DirecTV Stream, Fubo and Philo. DirecTV and Disney have settled their carriage dispute, so channels like ESPN, FX and ABC have been restored.
What actually counts is the number of channels these platforms provide, proper? We have analyzed their main channel lineups that can assist you determine which one might suit your wants.
Learn extra: Best Sports Streaming Service for 2024
The Huge Chart: High 100 channels in contrast (up to date Sept. 2024)
The principle distinction between the companies is their channel choice. All of them provide completely different lineups of channels for numerous costs.
Under you may discover a chart that reveals the highest 100 channels throughout all six companies, however be aware that not each service has a worthy 100. There are literally seven listed as a result of Sling TV has two completely different “base” tiers, Orange and Blue. And if you happen to’re questioning, I selected which “prime” channels made the minimize. Sorry, AXS TV, Discovery Life, GSN and Common HD.
Fubo now gives the YES Community at no further cost for baseball. And Hulu’s stay TV providing now consists of the MLB Community. We’ll additionally be aware Fubo’s big loss of Warner Bros. Discovery channels similar to Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, HGTV, Meals Community, OWN, TLC, Magnolia Community and Cartoon Community might make it much less interesting.
However if you wish to eliminate cable, there are quite a few stay TV streaming decisions accessible. Sling TV’s basic packages are $40 in most cities. However prices proceed to go up. Fubo’s value for its fundamental plan is $80, which is similar value as DirecTV Stream’s base plan. YouTube TV prices $73 monthly, and Hulu’s stay providing is at present $77. Beware that Hulu plus Dwell TV will go up in value in October, making its fundamental package deal the most costly at $83 monthly. These modifications are mirrored within the chart under the place relevant.
Some extra stuff to know in regards to the chart:
- Sure = The channel is accessible on the most affordable pricing tier. That value is listed subsequent to the service’s identify.
- No = The channel is not accessible in any respect on that service.
- $ = The channel is accessible for an additional price, both a la carte or as a part of a dearer package deal or add-on.
- Regional sports activities networks — native channels dedicated to exhibiting regular-season video games of specific professional baseball, basketball and hockey groups — usually are not listed. DirecTV Stream’s $120 tier has probably the most RSNs by far, however just a few can be found on different companies. See our NBA and NHL streaming guides for particulars.
- Native ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, MyNetworkTV and The CW networks usually are not accessible in each metropolis. Since availability of those channels varies, you may wish to verify the service’s web site to confirm that it carries your native community.
- Native PBS stations are solely at present accessible on YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream, and Hulu Dwell. Once more, you may wish to verify native availability.
- Sling Blue subscribers in cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Metropolis, Philadelphia and San Francisco should now pay $45 monthly, however have entry to native ABC, Fox and NBC channels. Clients in Fresno, Houston and Raleigh now have each ABC and Fox on their Blue or Orange-and-Blue subscriptions at no further cost. This isn’t mirrored within the chart. Verify Sling’s site to see which native channels can be found in your space.
- Fubo subscribers might discover that the ACC Community and SEC Community are included with their package deal at no further value. Verify availability to your state.
- The chart columns are organized so as of value, so if you cannot see every thing you need, attempt scrolling proper.
- Overwhelmed? An easier-to-understand Google Spreadsheet is here.
Philo vs. Sling TV vs. Fubo vs. YouTube TV vs. DirecTV Stream vs. Hulu: High 100 channels in contrast
Channel | Philo ($28) | Sling Orange ($40) | Sling Blue ($40) | YouTube TV ($73) | Hulu with Dwell TV ($77) | DirecTV Stream ($80) | Fubo ($80) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Complete channels: | 42 | 24 | 35 | 78 | 75 | 61 | 46 |
ABC | No | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
CBS | No | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
Fox | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
NBC | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
PBS | No | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | No |
CW | No | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure (restricted) | Sure |
MyNetworkTV | No | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | No |
Channel | Philo ($28) | Sling Orange ($40) | Sling Blue ($40) | YouTube TV ($73) | Hulu with Dwell TV ($77) | DirecTV Stream ($80) | Fubo ($80) |
A&E | Sure | Sure | Sure | No | Sure | $ | No |
ACC Community | No | $ | No | Sure | Sure | $ | Sure |
Accuweather | Sure | No | No | No | No | Sure | Sure |
AMC | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | No | Sure | No |
Animal Planet | Sure | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | No |
BBC America | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | No | Sure | No |
BBC World Information | Sure | $ | $ | Sure | No | $ | No |
BET | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
Huge Ten Community | No | No | $ | Sure | Sure | $ | Sure |
Bloomberg TV | No | Sure | Sure | No | Sure | Sure | Sure |
Boomerang | No | $ | $ | No | $ | Sure | No |
Bravo | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
Channel | Philo ($28) | Sling Orange ($40) | Sling Blue ($40) | YouTube TV ($73) | Hulu with Dwell TV ($77) | DirecTV Stream ($80) | Fubo ($80) |
Cartoon Community | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | No |
CBS Sports activities Community | No | No | No | Sure | Sure | $ | Sure |
Cheddar | Sure | No | No | Sure | Sure | $ | Sure |
Cinemax | No | No | No | $ | $ | $ | No |
CMT | Sure | $ | $ | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
CNBC | No | No | $ | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
CNN | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | No |
Comedy Central | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
Cooking Channel | Sure | $ | $ | No | $ | $ | $ |
Vacation spot America | Sure | $ | $ | No | $ | $ | $ |
Discovery Channel | Sure | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | No |
Disney Channel | No | Sure | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
Disney Junior | No | $ | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
Disney XD | No | $ | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
E! | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
ESPN | No | Sure | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
ESPN 2 | No | Sure | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
ESPNEWS | No | $ | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | $ |
ESPNU | No | $ | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | $ |
Channel | Philo ($28) | Sling Orange ($40) | Sling Blue ($40) | YouTube TV ($73) | Hulu with Dwell TV ($77) | DirecTV Stream ($80) | Fubo ($80) |
Meals Community | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | No |
Fox Enterprise | No | No | $ | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
Fox Information | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
FS1 | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
FS2 | No | No | $ | Sure | Sure | $ | Sure |
Freeform | No | Sure | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
FX | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
FX Motion pictures | No | No | $ | Sure | Sure | Sure | $ |
FXX | No | No | $ | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
FYI | Sure | $ | $ | No | Sure | $ | No |
Golf Channel | No | No | $ | Sure | Sure | $ | Sure |
Hallmark | Sure | $ | $ | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
HBO/Max | No | No | No | $ | $ | $ | No |
HGTV | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | No |
Historical past | Sure | Sure | Sure | No | Sure | $ | No |
HLN | No | $ | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | No |
IFC | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | No | Sure | No |
Investigation Discovery | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | No |
Lifetime | Sure | Sure | Sure | No | Sure | $ | No |
Lifetime Film Community | Sure | $ | $ | No | Sure | $ | No |
Channel | Philo ($28) | Sling Orange ($40) | Sling Blue ($40) | YouTube TV ($73) | Hulu with Dwell TV ($77) | DirecTV Stream ($80) | FuboTV ($80) |
Magnolia Community | Sure | $ | $ | Sure | Sure | $ | No |
MGM+ | $ | $ | $ | $ | No | $ | No |
MLB Community | No | $ | $ | No | Sure | $ | $ |
Motor Pattern | Sure | Sure | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | No |
MSNBC | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
MTV | Sure | $ | $ | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
MTV2 | Sure | $ | $ | Sure | $ | Sure | $ |
Nationwide Geographic | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
Nat Geo Wild | No | No | $ | Sure | Sure | Sure | $ |
NBA TV | No | $ | $ | Sure | No | $ | $ |
NFL Community | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | $ | Sure |
NFL Purple Zone | No | No | $ | $ | $ | No | $ |
NHL Community | No | $ | $ | No | No | $ | $ |
Nickelodeon | Sure | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
Nick Jr. | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | $ | Sure |
Nicktoons | Sure | $ | $ | Sure | $ | $ | $ |
OWN | Sure | No | No | Sure | Sure | $ | No |
Oxygen | No | No | $ | Sure | Sure | $ | Sure |
Paramount Community | Sure | $ | $ | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
Science | Sure | $ | $ | No | $ | $ | $ |
Channel | Philo ($28) | Sling Orange ($40) | Sling Blue ($40) | YouTube TV ($73) | Hulu with Dwell TV ($77) | DirecTV Stream ($80) | FuboTV ($80) |
SEC Community | No | $ | No | Sure | Sure | $ | $ |
Showtime | No | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Smithsonian | Sure | No | No | Sure | Sure | $ | Sure |
Starz | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Sundance TV | Sure | $ | $ | Sure | No | Sure | No |
Syfy | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
Tastemade | Sure | $ | $ | Sure | No | $ | Sure |
TBS | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | No |
TCM | No | $ | $ | Sure | Sure | Sure | No |
TeenNick | Sure | $ | $ | Sure | $ | Sure | $ |
Telemundo | No | No | No | Sure | Sure | $ | Sure |
Tennis Channel | No | $ | $ | No | No | $ | $ |
TLC | Sure | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | No |
TNT | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | No |
Journey Channel | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | $ | No |
TruTV | No | $ | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | No |
TV Land | Sure | $ | $ | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
USA Community | No | No | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
VH1 | Sure | $ | $ | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
Vice | Sure | Sure | Sure | No | Sure | $ | No |
WE television | Sure | $ | $ | Sure | No | Sure | No |
Channel | Philo ($28) | Sling Orange ($40) | Sling Blue ($40) | YouTube TV ($73) | Hulu with Dwell TV ($77) | DirecTV Stream ($80) | FuboTV ($80) |
A series of price hikes has introduced various extra channels to Hulu, together with PBS and entry to Disney Plus and ESPN Plus, at a $77 price ticket. Its channel choice is not as strong as YouTube TV, but it is Hulu’s significant catalog of on-demand content material which units it aside. Unique titles similar to Shōgun, The Bear and Only Murders in the Building give it a content material benefit no different service can match.
Dwell TV subscribers additionally obtain limitless DVR that features fast-forwarding and on-demand playback — at no extra value. It is a transfer that has aligned Hulu with its rivals by way of options, however the channel lineup should be a deciding issue. It is $4 greater than YouTube TV which has extra channels, however the entry to Disney Plus and ESPN Plus might make it a extra interesting alternative for you. Read our Hulu Plus Live TV review.
With a superb channel choice, easy-to-use interface and best-in-class cloud DVR, the $73 monthly YouTube TV is without doubt one of the finest cable TV replacements. It gives a $20 4K improve, however the draw back is there is not a lot to observe at current until you watch choose channels. For those who do not thoughts paying a bit greater than the Sling TVs of the world, or wish to watch stay NBA video games, YouTube TV gives a excessive normal of stay TV streaming. Read our YouTube TV review.
If you wish to save somewhat cash and do not thoughts lacking out on native channels, Sling TV is the perfect of the price range companies. Its Orange and Blue packages begin at $40 monthly, and you may mix them for a month-to-month charge of $55 ($60 in some areas). The Orange possibility nets you one stream, whereas Blue provides you three. It is not as complete or as straightforward to navigate as YouTube, however with a bit of labor, together with including an antenna or an AirTV 2 DVR, it is an unbeatable worth. We’ll additionally add that the service gives native channels similar to ABC and CBS in some areas the place the month-to-month charge is $45. Read our Sling TV review.
DirecTV Stream is tied with Fubo as the most costly, and its stiffest competitors remains to be Hulu Plus Dwell TV and YouTube TV. With its channel choice, it is splendid for sports activities followers who wish to watch native or nationwide video games.
The service does have its pluses, although — for instance, it consists of the flipper-friendly skill to swipe left and proper to alter channels. Moreover, it consists of some channels another companies cannot, together with almost 250 PBS stations nationwide. The $80 Leisure package deal might fit your wants with its 75-plus channels. However for cord-cutters who wish to comply with their native NBA or MLB staff, DirecTV Stream’s $109 Selection package deal is our stay TV streaming choose as a result of it has entry to extra regional sports activities networks than the competitors. Nonetheless, you may wish to be certain your channel is included right here, and never accessible on one in every of our most popular picks, earlier than you pony up. Read our DirecTV Stream review.
There’s quite a bit to love about Fubo — it gives a big selection of channels and its sports activities focus makes it particularly engaging to soccer followers or NBA, NHL and MLB followers who stay in an space served by one in every of Fubo’s RSNs. It is also an incredible alternative for NFL followers, because it’s one in every of three companies, alongside YouTube TV and Hulu, that supply NFL Community and elective RedZone. As of February 2024, Fubo is charging extra for its service and entry to Bally Sports activities RSNs. The largest gap in Fubo’s lineup is the shortage of Warner Bros. Discovery networks, together with HGTV, Meals Community, Cartoon Community, CNN, TNT and TBS — particularly because the latter two carry quite a lot of sports activities content material, specifically NBA, NHL and MLB. These lacking channels, and the $80 price ticket, makes it much less engaging than YouTube TV for many viewers. Read our Fubo review.
Philo raised its price from $25 to $28 for brand spanking new subscribers and added an AMC Plus bundle, and it is nonetheless an inexpensive stay TV streaming service with quite a lot of channels. Nevertheless it lacks sports activities channels, native stations and big-name information networks — though Cheddar and BBC information can be found. Philo gives bread-and-butter cable staples like Comedy Channel, Nickelodeon and Magnolia Community, and focuses on way of life and actuality programming. It is also one of many most cost-effective stay companies that streams Paramount, dwelling of Yellowstone, and it features a cloud DVR and elective add-ons from Epix and Starz. We expect most individuals are higher off paying one other $12 for Sling TV’s superior service, but when Philo has each channel you need, it is a first rate deal. Read our Philo review.