YouTube TV Vs Hulu Live TV: Which Live Streaming TV Is Best?

Youtube-tv-vs-Hulu

The article you are reading right now “YouTube TV Vs Hulu Live TV: Which Live Streaming TV Is Best?” focuses on the factors which a winning service for our followers.

The balances are tilted to support YouTube TV, but Hulu could be a better option for everyone. Here is how cord-cutters get to choose between two quality live television alternatives.

We’re all watching more television, and with events such as March Madness and EPL soccer in full gear, it’s a fantastic time to investigate a live TV streaming service. YouTube TV and Hulu Live TV are our two top picks for cord-cutters willing to spend a bit more for a complete package of channels and features.

Premium membership allows you to cut the traditional Cable cord while making improvements such as a sophisticated DVR with a program guide and vast on-demand material.

Both services include a vast array of live channels, featuring TNT, ESPN, and CNN, in addition to Fox, CBS, ABC, NBC, and others. You may access them through video streamers like Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, your game console, or the smart TV itself.

In general, we prefer YouTube TV over Hulu because of its DVR and a few crucial channels, such as your local PBS station, that are absent from Hulu.

Nevertheless, Hulu is catching up to YouTube TV in terms of channel choices — adding NFL Network and RedZone for the 2021 season, for example — and it has a massive library of on-demand television shows and films. In addition, beginning April 13, Hulu will offer unlimited cloud DVR storage at no additional cost.


Principal Attributes

  • Starting Price: £54.28/month ($64.99/month)
  • Concurrent Streams provides: 3 connections or Unlimited (at home)
  • LIVE Streaming: Available
  • Original Shows & Series: No
  • Video – On – Demand: Available
  • Advertisement: Available
  • Anime: No
  • Offline Downloading Capability:  No
Pros

  • Excellent lineup of sports, news, and entertainment channels
  • Robust and easy-to-use DVR features
  • Intuitive interface
  • Supports three simultaneous streams per account by default
  • Excellent add-ons
  • No annual contract
  • Includes MLB, NBA, and NFL networks
  • Includes Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, and PBS
  • Includes unlimited cloud DVR storage space and rewind/fast-forward/pause functionality
  • 3 streams and 6 accounts per household
  • Excellent lineup of sports, news, and entertainment channels

Cons

  • Missing the majority of SportsNet and all Bally Sports RSNs
  • Limited parental control choices


DecisiveLine

YouTube TV provides a vast selection of channels, superior DVR capabilities, and exceptional performance. If you are ready to pay its expensive monthly fees, the service is an excellent option for cord-cutters who want to imitate the cable TV experience.


What’s YouTube TV?

YouTube TV is, in a nutshell, a live TV streaming service that is available in the United States and can be accessed from the UK, Canada, Australia, or any other region of the world.

It is a substitute for a satellite or cable subscription that is transmitted over the Web, accessible on TVs, tablets, phones, and internet browsers, and it allows you to watch TV as you always have, from anywhere with an internet connection, whether at home or on the move.

When it debuted in the United States in 2017, YouTube TV was accessible in a limited number of areas. This changed in 2019 when a significant expansion brought support to all 210 markets.

Additionally, its channel selection has grown substantially over time. YouTube TV currently offers almost 85+ channels, along with the four main major broadcasters CBS, NBC, ABC, and Fox that you can watch in UK.

YouTube TV is operated by Google as a separate entity from YouTube. There are, however, some instances where the two platforms overlap, such as with YouTube Originals, which means that you may find yourself watching some series on both platforms.

Nevertheless, YouTube TV is not YouTube, and you will need two apps on your streaming device in order to access both.

Its largest competition comes from choosing between YouTube TV Vs Hulu Live TV.


Company Overview and History:

Jawed Karim, Steve Chen, and Chad Hurley, three former PayPal workers, launched YouTube in San Bruno, California, in February 2005. Since Google’s November 2006 acquisition of the website for $1,650,000 billion, it has become one of the company’s subsidiaries.

YouTube enables uploading videos, viewing them, scoring them, sharing them, adding them to playlists, complaining about them, writing comments on them, and following other users.

The slogan “Broadcast Yourself” used for a few years and referring to user information page as “Channels” represent the platform’s underlying idea of enabling anyone to manage a personal broadcasting station similar to television with the addition of video on demand.

As a result, the site offers a vast array of user-generated and corporate media content. Available content consists of live streaming, movie trailers, short and documentary films, TV show clips, audio recordings, video clips, and music videos additional content includes educational videos, short original videos, and video blogging

In February of 2017, more than 400 hours of content were posted to YouTube every minute, and one billion hours of content were seen daily. According to Alexa Internet, as of October 2020, YouTube is the second-most visited website in the world, after Google.

As of May 2019, about 500 hours of video are posted to YouTube every minute.YouTube’s anticipated yearly revenues are $15 billion, based on disclosed quarterly advertising revenue.


Pricing

YouTube TV costs £54.28/month ($64.99 a month) and offers over 85 channels of your favorite live and local television Shows with the option to

  • Add additional Networks
  • Top entertainment, news, live sports, and more in English and Spanish
  • Unlimited DVR capacity
  • 6 accounts per household
  • Options to obtain additional Spanish content for an additional £12.50/month ($14.99/month)

What Do You Get With YouTube TV?

YouTube TV is not the same as YouTube, the free video site with more than 2 billion monthly subscribers. YouTube TV delivers a comparable experience to cable television, with live channels and on-demand programming accessible on several platforms.

It is compatible with Apple TV, Roku, Android TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, as well as a variety of smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, and web browsers.

There is a program guide, a digital video recorder (DVR), and dozens of channels, similar to the services offered by competitors. However, what distinguishes YouTube TV from other premium (£50.03 / $60 or more per month) providers like DirecTV Stream, Hulu Plus Live TV, and FuboTV UK? Let’s have a peek.

YouTube TV offers more channels from our list of the 100 best channels than any other competition, although Hulu is closing the gap quickly. However, more channels do not necessarily guarantee more of what you desire.

Some services, such as FuboTV, are largely reliant on sports, whilst others are expanding in scope. Check the list at the conclusion of this article, which compares individual channels between services, to ensure that you are receiving the channels you desire.

The Olympics in 4K may have concluded, but YouTube TV with £16.68 ($20) 4K add-on will continue to be available. The 4K Plus upgrade provides several advantages, including 4K sports, such as college football, and on-demand programming (more on that shortly).

Additionally, the surcharge boosts the number of simultaneous streams to an unlimited amount, which is advantageous for houses filled with football teams or anything. FuboTV, however, offers 4K at no additional cost.

The 4K Plus update also included 5.1 surround sound for all subscribers, although the majority of competitors only offer stereo audio. The second is that DVR recordings may now be searched for specific sports, which is particularly useful for occasions such as the Olympics, which are a veritable grab bag of events.

You might also see the difference between DirecTV vs. YouTube TV.


Principal Attributes

  • Starting Price: £57.54/month ($69.99/month)
  • Concurrent Streams provides: 3 connections or Unlimited (at home)
  • LIVE Streaming: Available
  • Original Shows & Series: Yes
  • Video – On – Demand: Available
  • Advertisement: Available
  • Anime: Yes
  • Offline Downloading Capability:  Yes
Pros

  • Excellent variety of TV series
  • Robust cloud DVR option
  • Accessible on practically any streaming gadget
  • Extensive live TV channel lineup
  • No annual contract
  • Includes unlimited cloud DVR storage space
  • Excellent variety of TV series

Cons

  • The base on-demand plan includes advertisements
  • The offline downloads feature requires a premium account
  • Fewer high-quality originals than competitors
  • Missing the majority of SportsNet and all Bally Sports RSNs
  • No league networks
  • Does not include PBS
  • 2 streams and 6 accounts per household



DecisiveLine

Hulu is a solid alternative for viewing new and vintage shows as well as live TV on practically all platforms. It is the premier option among video streaming services.


What is Hulu Live?

Hulu Live TV offers streaming live channels, including sports and major broadcast and cable networks. Additionally, it is compatible with numerous gadgets.

Hulu Live TV is distinguished by the fact that the basic Hulu streaming service is immediately included (at different price points depending on whether or not you want ads).

This means that in addition to live TV, you will have access to Hulu originals such as The Handmaid’s Tale and Only Murders in the Building, as well as all the third-party programs and films accessible to Hulu subscribers.


Company Overview and History

In 2007, Hulu was created as a streaming service. It was a partnership between The Walt Disney Company and News Corporation, NBC Universal, and Providence Equity Partners ultimately joined the business.

In 2008, the facility was officially introduced to the public. Hulu broadcasts live TV, provides premium cable channel add-ons, streams thousands of TV shows and movies, and produces original content such as the Emmy-winning series The Handmaid’s Tale and The Act.

In 2019, The Walt Disney assumed operational control of Hulu in its entirety. This acquisition has significantly facilitated Hulu’s expansion. After Disney took control of Hulu, Hulu has become the only service that allows viewers rapid access to current episodes from all of the major U.S. broadcast networks.”

The platform includes more than 40 million U.S. customers, 70,000 television episodes and films, and 75 live channels. Hulu operates from eight offices in the United States and Beijing.

The Hulu team is comprised of dedicated people from around the world. From creative and content teams to customer care and marketing, every department at Hulu contributes to its success.

As a predominantly web-based business, Hulu’s software development branch is one of its largest teams. Hulu provides post-graduate employment options in this field that enable advancement to roles like development engineers and data scientists.

Hulu’s staff are not only the finest in their respective industries, but they also collaborate to make the world a better place beyond the confines of television and film. The donation-matching program at Hulu has matched tens of thousands of donations in a single year alone.

Hulu workers volunteered over 2,700 hours. Employees participated in approximately 370 virtual volunteer activities even during the COVID-19 pandemic.


Pricing

Hulu Live TV begins at £54.19 ($64.99) monthly with:

  • Provides access to on-demand video and live TV
  • Over 50+ channels are available
  • Also includes cloud DVR and a Hulu subscription

What Do You Get With Hulu Live?

Hulu Plus Live TV enhances the on-demand service by adding more than 75 live channels, in addition to a cloud DVR and program guide. Live TV is accessible through Hulu’s regular application on all major platforms, including Hulu on Firestick, iOS, Android, PlayStation, Xbox, Roku, Apple TV, smart TVs and web browsers.

Hulu has a respectable number of channels, while YouTube TV offers a few more major cable networks. All of Hulu’s competitors provide the popular channels AMC and BBC America, yet the service lacks them. In addition, it lacks PBS local stations, MLB Network, and NBA TV, all of which are available on YouTube TV.

As a counterpoint, Hulu offers the History Channel, Lifetime, and A&E, whereas YouTube TV does not. With the December 2021 price increase to £58.37 ($70), Hulu Plus Live TV now includes Disney Plus and ESPN Plus, each of which is worth £11.67 ($14) on its own.

Similar to YouTube TV, Hulu has eliminated numerous regional sports networks; hence, DirecTV Stream’s £75.05 ($90) subscription is the best option for MLB regular season games. During the regular seasons of the NHL and NBA, the same holds true.

The recent arrival of NFL Network is, however, a bonus for football fans. Check the channel lineup at the end of this article or our baseball guide below to determine if Hulu Plus Live TV’s channel mix suits your needs.


Detailed Analysis of A Few Factors

Here are a few elements that we have picked to be examined. This will offer an indication to our users to select the better service of the two.


Feature and DVR

Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV both allow 1080p streaming at 60 frames per second on some devices. Hulu restricts playback to Fire TV Stick, Fire TV and Apple TV (4th generation or later) select Xbox One and Samsung TV models.

Hulu + Live TV provides 2.0 stereo audio, while certain on-demand content is accessible in 5.1 Surround Sound. The YouTube TV stream only supports conventional stereo audio at this time.

Hulu + Live TV permits two concurrent streams, although YouTube TV supports three. However, Hulu + Live TV’s Unlimited Screens add-on permits members to stream on an unlimited number of devices concurrently at home and up to three concurrent streams wherever else.

The DVR storage limit for Hulu + Live TV is 50 hours, but you may retain whatever you’ve stored as long as your subscription is active. Hulu also has the option to increase your DVR storage to 200 hours for an extra £8.33 ($9.99) per month.

DVR enthusiasts will appreciate that a YouTube TV subscription offers unlimited DVR storage, with each recording being accessible for up to nine months.


Accessible Add-Ons

Most live TV providers offer the option to add premium channels or genre-specific bundles in addition to the normal channels. Another advantage of subscribing to an add-on with a live TV service is that you do not have to manage numerous logins, billing statements, or interfaces.

Hulu + Live TV provides premium channel add-ons for Cinemax, Starz, HBO Max, and Showtime, as well as Espanol and Entertainment package add-ons. Included with the £6.66 ($7.99) per month Entertainment bundle are CNBC World, American Heroes Channel, DIY Network, Destination America, Discovery Life, FYI, Cooking Channel, Discovery Family, LMN, and Science.

The Español bundle costs £4.16 ($4.99) per month and contains, History Channel en Español, Discovery en Español, CNN en Español, ESPN Deportes, Discovery Familia and Universo.

Subscribers to YouTube TV may add, AMC Premiere, Cinemax, Acorn TV, EPIX, FOX Soccer Plus, CuriosityStream, NBA League Pass, HBO Max, Shudder, Showtime, Sundance Now, Starz, and UMC to their package.

YouTube TV has recently introduced a Sports Plus add-on plan, which includes NFL, FOX College Sports, RedZone, GOLTV, FOX Soccer Plus, Stadium, TVG, and MAVTV Motorsports Network

There are a number of YouTube TV updates that may be purchased as stand-alone services. Hulu + Live TV also provides a number of the most popular standalone services, but it’s Entertainment and Espanol bundles are likely more valuable because the featured channels are more difficult to obtain elsewhere.


On-Demand Content

The majority of live TV streaming providers offer on-demand programming from the networks included in their live TV roster. If a channel shows a TV episode or movie as part of its programming schedule, you can probably view it on-demand around the time it airs.

This on-demand content is available on both Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV. Examine the channel lineups to find which is best for your needs. If one has a movie channel that you enjoy and the other does not, you should choose the one with the movie channel.

As previously stated, a Hulu + Live TV subscription offers access to the service’s extensive library of on-demand television programs and motion pictures. With Disney holding the majority of Hulu’s stock, we anticipate that its content collection will continue to expand.

Currently, Animated shows are presently offered on-demand., the on-demand lineup features animated series (Futurama, Bob’s Burgers, and Adventure Time,), comedy shows  (Malcolm in the Middle, Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Broad City, and Scrubs), classical drama (The Good Wife, The X-Files, The Orville, and Killing Eve), and a hub for old and newer Fashion shows.

Hulu also creates original content, which is one of the greatest draws of on-demand services. Some Hulu originals, like The Handmaid’s Tale, Casual, Castle Rock, Harlots, Catch-22, Ramy, and Veronica Mars, are worth watching.


Costs Factor

Hulu + Live TV which combines ad-supported access to the Hulu on-demand library and the Hulu Live TV subscription, now costs £54.19 ($64.99) a month following a recent price increase. For £58.36 ($69.99) per month, Hulu also provides a subscription that combines the ad-free version of Hulu with the Live TV plan. YouTube TV costs £54.19 ($64.99) monthly as well.

In addition to web browsers, Hulu is accessible on mobile platforms (Android and iOS), media streaming devices (Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku), some smart TVs, and gaming consoles (such as Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and the Xbox One). However, YouTube TV does not have a Nintendo Switch app, which is a glaring omission.


Channel Lineup

We compare the programming schedules of Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV using a New York City zip code for this post. Depending on your area, the broadcast affiliates and regional sports networks (RSNs) available on the live TV provider you select may change somewhat.

At the time of publication, Hulu + Live TV in our test region delivers around 75 channels, whereas YouTube TV provides approximately 93 channels.


News

In terms of news coverage, Hulu + Live TV provides a total of 10 channels, including CNN International, CBSN, ABC News Live, HLN, CNBC, Cheddar, CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, and FOX Business.

With a total of fourteen stations, YouTube TV’s news schedule is outstanding. Besides CBSN and CNN International, the roster of YouTube TV is identical to that of Hulu. Additionally, the service adds BBC America, BBC World News, CNBC World, Local Now, Newsy, and TYT, which are not accessible on Hulu.


Networks

Both Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV provide access to all of the major broadcast networks, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and Telemundo. YouTube TV features PBS channels, a distinction that Hulu cannot make.


Lifestyle and Entertainment

Hulu + Live TV has 28 entertainment and lifestyle channels, which is less than YouTube TV’s 39 channels in this field.

Hulu + Live TV’s channel lineup consists of, Bravo, A&E, Discovery Channel, Cozi, FX, Food Network, FXX, FXM, History, HGTV, Life Time, ID, NASA, Motor Trend, National Geographic Wild, National Geographic, Pop, Oxygen, TBS, SYFY, TNT, TLC, truTV, Travel Channel, USA, Turner Classic Movies and Vice.

YouTube TV lacks, History, A&E, NASA, Lifetime, and Vice, but contains CMT, BET, AMC, Comedy Central, Comet TV, MTV, IFC, Paramount plus UK, OWN, Sundance TV, Start TV, TV Land, Tastemade, VH1, Universo, and WE TV, which are not accessible on Hulu.


Sports

Even while many sports are carried on television, non-primetime games, overflow coverage, and analysis programs may only be accessible on other channels. Our information on how to broadcast any sport will assist you to determine which channels and networks you have to stream your favorite teams and sports.

If you simply want to watch NFL games, go no further than our selection of the finest streaming services.

The number of sports channels offered by Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV is comparable; 18 and 17, respectively. Both offer access to BTN, ACC Network, ESPN, CBS Sports Network, ESP News, ESPN2, FS1, ESPN U, Golf Channel, FS2, Olympic Channel, NBC Sports Network, SNY and SEC Network,

Hulu also offers, YES, ESPN Bases Loaded, ESPN 3, ESPN Goal Line and ESPN College Extra, but YouTube TV distinguishes itself by offering NFL Network, MLB Network, NBA TV, and Tennis Channel. FOX-owned RSNs are absent from both Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV, although NBC-run RSNs are included.


Kids and Family

Family-friendly channels are supported by both Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV. Hulu has a total of nine channels, which include Boomerang, Animal Planet, Disney Channel, Cartoon

Network, Disney XD, Disney Junior, Smithsonian Channel, Freeform, and Universal Kids. Except for Boomerang, YouTube TV provides the same stations. This service has an edge due to the addition of Nick@Nite, Nickelodeon, and PBS’s Thirteen.


Frequently Asked Questions

The primary distinction between YouTube TV and Hulu is the kind of programming available on each platform.

In truth, it is difficult to compare Hulu to YouTube TV because the Disney-owned streaming service offers a vast library of back-catalogue shows and films, in addition to its own original programming.

In contrast, YouTube TV offers an alternative to cable, providing viewers with access to live channels over their internet connections. There is on-demand access to movies and television shows, but unlike Hulu, they are not included in a subscription. Pay-per-view events. YouTube TV focuses primarily on live TV, while some original content is also available.

Therefore, what are we comparing?

In short, the actual competition is between YouTube TV and Hulu Plus Live TV, leaving only two choices for those who want a streaming service that allows them to watch their favourite shows and live events as they air.


The following TV devices are supported by YouTube TV:

  • Apple TV (4th generation) and Apple TV 4K
  • Amazon Fire TV products
  • Android TV
  • Samsung and LG smart TVs
  • Vizio SmartCast televisions
  • Hisense TVs
  • Xbox: Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One X, and Xbox One S
  • PS5 and PS4
  • TiVo Stream 4K
  • Roku

The following TV-compatible devices are supported by Hulu + Live TV:

  • Android television (4th gen or later)
  • Chromecast with Google TV
  • Fire TV and Fire TV Stick
  • LG Televisions
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5
  • Roku and Roku Stick
  • Samsung Televisions
  • Xbox 360 and Xbox One

YouTube TV allows you to view live and local sports, news and shows from more than 85 networks, including  NBC, CBS, FOX, HGTV, ABC, ESPN, TNT, and more. Local and regional programming is also available through YouTube TV, which provides entire local network coverage to over 98 percent of US TV households.

There are more than seventy-five live and on-demand channels to pick from, including popular entertainment networks such as VH1, Bravo, E!, Comedy Central, Lifetime, Freeform,  OWN, MTV, TNT, TBS, and BET. The channels Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Universal Kids, and Boomerang.


More than seventy-five Live and On-Demand channels are available, featuring your favorite games on ESPN, CBS, FOX, FS1, NFL Network, NBCSN, and regional sports in many cities.

YouTube supports the following Sports channels: Billiard TV, GOL TV, MAVTV Motorsports Network, NFL RedZone, beIN SPORTS / beIN SPORTS XTRA Outside TV+, layers TV, Poker GO+, Sports Grid, Stadium, TVG / TVG2, Poker GO+, Fight Network, VSiN, Impact, and many others.



Conclusion

Comparing the two YouTube TV Vs Hulu Live TV,  to determine which is superior is challenging. Each is of high quality and simple to use. Each has an extensive channel selection.

YouTube TV features more optional premium add-ons, and options are always welcome. However, additional fees apply. Hulu With Live TV, on the other hand, includes the complete Hulu on-demand catalog and all of the material that comes with it.

Hulu With Live TV is also bundled with ESPN Plus and Disney Plus, giving you access to a plethora of more series and films at a reduced price. This is a significant benefit.

But this is where we believe you should pay the most attention — YouTube TV and Hulu provide different channel lineups. Yes, there is a substantial amount of overlap, but there are also a significant number of channels that are exclusive to one provider or the other.

Therefore, you must pick a choice. The great news? You are free to cancel either plan at any time and switch to the other without penalty. Therefore, there is little room for error.