Hulu Live and YouTube TV vs Fubo, Sling, DIRECTV Stream, and Philo: 2026 Comparison
All 6 Services at a Glance
| Service | Price/mo | Channels | DVR | Streams | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hulu + Live TV | $82.99 | 95+ | Unlimited | 2 | Disney+ & ESPN+ bundled |
| YouTube TV | $44.99-$82.99 | 100+ | Unlimited (9mo) | 3 | Genre plans, Multiview, NFL Sunday Ticket |
| Fubo | $79.99-$99.99 | 180+ | 1000 hours | 2-10 | Most channels, international soccer |
| Sling TV | $40.00-$60.99 | 30-50 | 50-200 hours | 1-4 | Cheapest option with sports |
| DIRECTV Stream | $79.99-$159.99 | 75-150+ | Unlimited (9mo) | 3-unlimited | RSNs (regional sports networks) |
| Philo | $28.00 | 70+ | Unlimited (1yr) | 3 | Cheapest, no sports or news |
When to Consider Alternatives
Fubo
Consider if: International soccer fans, households wanting 180+ channels
Caveat: Lost NBC channels in 2026. No longer carries Sunday Night Football, Bravo, USA Network, or MSNBC. This is a major drawback for most households.
Sling TV
Consider if: Budget viewers who watch fewer than 50 channels
Caveat: Significantly fewer channels than Hulu or YouTube TV. Limited DVR (50-200 hours). YouTube TV's Entertainment plan ($44.99) offers more for $5 more.
DIRECTV Stream
Consider if: Viewers who need regional sports networks (RSNs)
Caveat: The most expensive option ($79.99-$159.99/mo). Only worth it if you need Bally Sports or other RSNs. Otherwise, Hulu or YouTube TV is better value.
Philo
Consider if: Viewers who only watch entertainment and lifestyle channels
Caveat: No sports and no news at all. At $28/mo it is the cheapest, but YouTube TV Entertainment ($44.99) offers more channels including local broadcast stations.
Why Hulu and YouTube TV Are the Top Two
At the $83 price point, Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV offer the most complete channel lineups. Both carry all major broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC), all major sports networks (ESPN, Fox Sports, CBS Sports, NFL Network, TNT), all major news networks (CNN, Fox News, MSNBC), and most popular cable channels. Both provide unlimited DVR.
Fubo's NBC channel loss in 2026 moved it behind both services for most households. Sling TV's limited channel count and DVR make it inferior except for extreme budget scenarios. DIRECTV Stream's pricing ($80-$160/mo) makes it a niche product for RSN access. Philo's lack of sports and news limits its audience.
With YouTube TV's new genre plans starting at $44.99, it now covers the budget market that Sling TV previously dominated, while maintaining the full channel option at $82.99. This makes Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV the two services that work for the widest range of households.
Service Comparison FAQ
Which live TV streaming service is the best overall?
What happened to Fubo and NBC channels in 2026?
Is Sling TV worth considering as a budget option?
Which service has regional sports networks (RSNs)?
Updated 9 April 2026.