Hulu + Live TV vs. YouTube TV: Comprehensive Comparison 2025

Hulu + Live TV vs. YouTube TV : Explore an in-depth comparison between Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV, covering channels, pricing, features, and recent industry developments to help you choose the best streaming service in 2025.

Hulu + Live TV vs. YouTube TV

Overview of Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV

Both Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV have established themselves as leading live TV streaming services, offering extensive channel lineups, on-demand content, and user-friendly features. Understanding their offerings is crucial for selecting the service that best aligns with your entertainment needs.

Hulu + Live TV

Hulu + Live TV combines live television with Hulu’s extensive on-demand library, providing subscribers with access to over 85 live channels alongside popular streaming content. The service also includes subscriptions to Disney+ and ESPN+, enhancing its value proposition.

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YouTube TV

YouTube TV offers a robust selection of over 100 live channels, featuring a wide array of entertainment, news, and sports networks. Known for its user-friendly interface and unlimited cloud DVR storage, YouTube TV caters to viewers seeking a comprehensive live TV experience.

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Channel Lineup and Content Offerings

The variety and quality of channels are pivotal factors when choosing a live TV streaming service. Below is a comparison of the channel offerings from both platforms.

YouTube TV Channel Lineup

YouTube TV provides access to over 100 live channels, including major networks such as ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox. The service also features popular cable channels like ESPN, CNN, and TNT. Notably, YouTube TV includes NBA TV in its base plan, appealing to sports enthusiasts. However, it lacks channels such as A&E, History, and Lifetime.

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Hulu + Live TV Channel Lineup

Hulu + Live TV offers over 85 live channels, covering major networks and a selection of cable channels. Subscribers also gain access to Hulu’s extensive on-demand library, Disney+, and ESPN+. However, the service does not include channels like AMC, PBS, and Univision.

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Content Comparison

While both services offer a substantial number of channels, YouTube TV provides a broader selection, particularly in sports content with the inclusion of NBA TV in its base plan. Hulu + Live TV compensates with its bundled streaming services, offering a diverse range of on-demand content through Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+.

Pricing and Plans

Understanding the pricing structures and available plans is essential for determining which service offers the best value for your investment.

YouTube TV Pricing

As of January 13, 2025, YouTube TV has increased its subscription price to $82.99 per month, citing rising content costs. This marks a significant rise from its initial launch price of $35 per month in 2017. The base plan includes over 100 channels and unlimited DVR storage. Additionally, YouTube TV offers a Spanish Plan for $24.99 per month, featuring over 30 Spanish-language networks.

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Hulu + Live TV Pricing

Hulu + Live TV’s base plan is priced at $69.99 per month, providing access to over 85 live channels, along with subscriptions to Hulu (with ads), Disney+ (with ads), and ESPN+ (with ads). For an ad-free experience on Hulu, the plan is available at $82.99 per month.

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Value Proposition

While YouTube TV offers a larger channel lineup, its recent price increase to $82.99 per month makes it comparable to Hulu + Live TV’s ad-free plan. Hulu’s inclusion of additional streaming services (Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+) in its base plan at $69.99 per month presents a compelling value for subscribers seeking a combination of live and on-demand content.

Features and User Experience

The functionality and user experience of a streaming service significantly impact viewer satisfaction. Below is an analysis of the key features offered by both platforms.

Cloud DVR Storage

Both YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV offer unlimited cloud DVR storage, allowing subscribers to record their favorite shows and events without worrying about space limitations. Recordings on both platforms are stored for up to nine months.

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Simultaneous Streams

YouTube TV allows up to three simultaneous streams per account, accommodating multiple users within a household. Similarly, Hulu + Live TV permits streaming on two devices simultaneously, with an option to upgrade to unlimited screens for an additional fee.

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User Profiles

YouTube TV supports up to six user profiles per account, enabling personalized viewing experiences for each household member. Hulu + Live TV also offers multiple user profiles, allowing individualized content recommendations and watchlists.

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Sports Features

YouTube TV provides sports-specific features such as Key Plays View and the ability to watch multiple games simultaneously with its multiview option. Hulu + Live TV offers access to ESPN+ content, catering to sports fans with a variety of live sports and original programming.

YouTube TV

Device Compatibility

Both services are compatible with a wide range of devices, ensuring flexibility in how and where you watch content.

YouTube TV Device Compatibility

YouTube TV is accessible on various devices, including:

  • Smart TVs:

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