YouTube TV vs. Hulu Stay vs. DirecTV and Extra

YouTube TV vs. Hulu Stay vs. DirecTV and Extra Leave a comment


Making the swap from cable to streaming might really feel complicated or like a chore, nevertheless it is perhaps precisely what you are on the lookout for. As TV prices improve, there are many alternate options you may think about, akin to reside TV streaming providers and reasonably priced skinny bundles. Twine-free reside providers include perks like a broad mixture of channels, DVR and no long-term commitments. You may stream sports activities and extra, and these providers provide wider channel choices than antennas but additionally allow you to watch in your laptop computer or cellphone.

Selecting a service will be tough due to pricing and regional sports activities networks, however there are six predominant platforms to contemplate (we’re not together with smaller ones): Sling TVDirecTVYouTube TVHulu Plus Stay TVFubo and Philo

It actually boils all the way down to the channels, proper? We have checked out who carries the highest 100 channels of their predominant lineups that can assist you resolve which one may very well be the most effective to your family.

Learn extra: Finest Sports activities Streaming Service for 2025

The Massive Chart: High 100 channels in contrast (up to date June 2025)

The principle distinction between the providers is their channel choice. All of them provide totally different lineups of channels for numerous costs. 

Under, you may discover a chart that reveals the highest 100 channels throughout all six providers. Word that not each service has a worthy 100. There are literally seven listed as a result of Sling TV has two “base” tiers, Orange and Blue. And should you’re questioning, I selected which “prime” channels made the lower. Sorry, AXS TV, Discovery Life, GSN and Common HD.

DirecTV lower “Stream” from its identify, however its streaming choices stay. Its fundamental plan begins at $87 a month, whereas YouTube TV, Sling, Fubo and Hulu Plus Stay TV’s plans all price extra now, affecting the worth of those providers based mostly on their channel lineups. Do not forget Fubo’s massive lack of Warner Bros. Discovery channels akin to Animal Planet, Cartoon Community, Discovery Channel, Meals Community, HGTV, Magnolia Community OWN and TLC, which can make it much less interesting.

Nevertheless, there are quite a few reside TV streaming decisions obtainable. Sling TV’s fundamental month-to-month packages are $46 in most cities and Philo gives a small roster however packages AMC Plus entry with it. However prices proceed to go up and people modifications are mirrored within the chart beneath the place relevant. 

Some extra stuff to know in regards to the chart: 

  • Sure = The channel is offered on the most affordable pricing tier. That value is listed subsequent to the service’s identify.
  • No = The channel is not obtainable in any respect on that service. 
  • $ = The channel is offered for an additional payment, both a la carte or as a part of a dearer package deal or add-on.
  • Regional sports activities networks — native channels dedicated to displaying regular-season video games of explicit professional baseball, basketball and hockey groups — are usually not listed. DirecTV Stream’s $130 tier has probably the most RSNs by far however just a few can be found on different providers. You can even try its MySports package deal for $70 and Xfinity’s sports activities and information providing.
  • Native ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, MyNetworkTV and The CW networks are usually not obtainable in each metropolis. As a result of the provision of those channels varies, you may need to verify the service’s web site to confirm that it carries your native community.
  • Native PBS stations are solely at present obtainable on DirecTV Stream, Hulu Stay and YouTube TV. Once more, you may need to verify native availability.
  • Sling Blue subscribers in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York Metropolis should now pay $51 per thirty days, however have entry to native ABC, Fox and NBC channels. Clients in Houston, Fresno, California, and Raleigh, North Carolina, now have 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 web 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 price. Verify availability to your state.
  • The chart columns are organized so as of value, so if you cannot see all the pieces you need, strive scrolling proper.
  • Overwhelmed? A neater-to-understand Google Spreadsheet is right here.

Philo vs. Sling TV vs. Fubo vs. YouTube TV vs. DirecTV vs. Hulu: High 100 channels in contrast

Channel Philo ($28) Sling Orange ($46) Sling Blue ($46) YouTube TV ($83) Hulu with Stay TV ($83) Fubo ($85) DirecTV ($87)
Whole channels: 42 24 35 78 75 46 55
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 No Sure
CW No No No Sure Sure Sure Sure (restricted)
MyNetworkTV No No No Sure Sure No Sure
Channel Philo ($28) Sling Orange ($46) Sling Blue ($46) YouTube TV ($83) Hulu with Stay TV ($83) Fubo ($85) DirecTV ($87)
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 No Sure
Animal Planet Sure No No Sure Sure No Sure
BBC America Sure Sure Sure Sure No No Sure
BBC World Information Sure $ $ Sure No No $
BET Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure
Massive Ten Community No No $ Sure Sure Sure $
Bloomberg TV No Sure Sure No Sure Sure Sure
Boomerang No $ $ No $ No Sure
Bravo No No Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure
Channel Philo ($28) Sling Orange ($46) Sling Blue ($46) YouTube TV ($83) Hulu with Stay TV ($83) Fubo ($85) DirecTV ($87)
Cartoon Community No Sure Sure Sure Sure No Sure
CBS Sports activities Community No No No Sure Sure Sure $
Cheddar Sure No No Sure 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 No Sure
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 No Sure
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 $ $
ESPNU No $ No Sure Sure $ $
Channel Philo ($28) Sling Orange ($46) Sling Blue ($46) YouTube TV ($83) Hulu with Stay TV ($83) Fubo ($85) DirecTV ($87)
Meals Community Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure No Sure
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 Films No No $ 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 No Sure
Historical past Sure Sure Sure No Sure No $
HLN No $ Sure Sure Sure No Sure
IFC Sure Sure Sure Sure No No Sure
Investigation Discovery Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure No Sure
Lifetime Sure Sure Sure No Sure No $
Lifetime Film Community Sure $ $ No Sure No $
Channel Philo ($28) Sling Orange ($46) Sling Blue ($46) YouTube TV ($83) Hulu with Stay TV ($83) FuboTV ($85) DirecTV ($87)
Magnolia Community Sure $ $ Sure Sure No $
MGM+ $ $ $ $ No No $
MLB Community No $ $ No Sure $ $
Motor Development Sure Sure No Sure Sure No Sure
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 No
Nat Geo Wild No No $ Sure Sure $ $
NBA TV No $ $ Sure No $ $
NFL Community No No Sure Sure Sure Sure $
NFL Pink 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 ($46) Sling Blue ($46) YouTube TV ($83) Hulu with Stay TV ($83) FuboTV ($85) DirecTV ($87)
SEC Community No $ No Sure Sure $ $
Showtime No $ $ $ $ $ $
Smithsonian Sure No No Sure Sure Sure $
Starz $ $ $ $ $ $ $
Sundance TV Sure $ $ Sure No No Sure
Syfy No No Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure
Tastemade Sure $ $ Sure No Sure $
TBS No Sure Sure Sure Sure No Sure
TCM No $ $ 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 No Sure
TNT No Sure Sure Sure Sure No Sure
Journey Channel Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure No $
TruTV No $ 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 No Sure
Channel Philo ($28) Sling Orange ($46) Sling Blue ($46) YouTube TV ($83) Hulu with Stay TV ($83) FuboTV ($85) DirecTV ($87)

James Martin/CNET

Hulu Plus Stay TV, which incorporates entry to Disney Plus and ESPN Plus, now prices $83 a month for its base package deal. Its channel choice is not as sturdy as YouTube TV, but Hulu’s vital catalog of on-demand content material units it aside. Unique titles akin to Shōgun, The Bear and Solely Murders within the Constructing give it a content material benefit no different service can match. 

Stay TV subscribers additionally obtain limitless DVR that features fast-forwarding and on-demand playback — at no further price. It is a transfer that has aligned Hulu with its opponents when it comes to options, however the channel lineup should still be a deciding issue. It is the identical value as YouTube TV, which has extra channels, however the entry to Disney Plus and ESPN Plus might make it a extra interesting selection for you. Learn our Hulu Plus Stay TV evaluate.

James Martin/CNET

With a wonderful channel choice, easy-to-use interface and best-in-class cloud DVR, the $83 per thirty days YouTube TV is among the greatest cable TV replacements. It gives a 4K improve add-on for a further value, however the draw back is there is not a lot to look at at current until you watch choose channels. In case you do not thoughts paying a bit greater than the Sling TVs of the world, or need to watch reside NBA video games, YouTube TV gives a excessive normal of reside TV streaming. Learn our YouTube TV evaluate.

Sarah Tew/CNET

If you wish to save just a little cash and do not thoughts lacking out on native channels, Sling TV is the most effective of the finances providers. Its Orange and Blue packages begin at $46 per thirty days, and you’ll mix them for a month-to-month fee of $61 ($66 in some areas). The Orange choice nets you one stream, whereas Blue offers you three. It isn’t as complete or as simple 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 akin to ABC and CBS in some areas the place the month-to-month fee is $51. Learn our Sling TV evaluate.

Sarah Tew/CNET

DirecTV’s base streaming package deal prices greater than all the opposite platforms on this listing and its stiffest competitors remains to be Hulu Plus Stay TV and YouTube TV. With its channel choice, it is excellent for sports activities followers who need to watch native or nationwide video games. 

The service does have its pluses, although — for instance, it contains the flipper-friendly capability to swipe left and proper to alter channels. Moreover, it contains some channels another providers cannot, together with practically 250 PBS stations nationwide. The $87 Leisure with sports activities package deal might fit your wants with its 75-plus channels. However for cord-cutters who need to comply with their native NBA or MLB crew, DirecTV Stream’s $115 Selection package deal is a extra sturdy reside TV streaming choose as a result of it has entry to extra regional sports activities networks than the competitors. Nonetheless, you may need to be sure that your channel is included right here, and never obtainable on one among our most popular picks, earlier than you pony up. Learn our DirecTV streaming service evaluate.

Ty Pendlebury/CNET

There’s so much to love about Fubo — it gives a big selection of channels and its sports activities focus makes it particularly enticing to soccer followers or NBA, NHL and MLB followers who reside in an space served by one among Fubo’s RSNs. It is also a fantastic selection for NFL followers as a result of it is one among three providers, alongside YouTube TV and Hulu, that supply NFL Community and optionally available RedZone. As of February 2025, Fubo is charging extra for its service and entry to Bally Sports activities RSNs. The largest gap in Fubo’s lineup is the dearth of Warner Bros. Discovery networks, together with Cartoon Community, CNN, Meals Community, HGTV, TBS and TNT — particularly because the latter two carry quite a lot of sports activities content material, specifically MLB, NBA and NHL. These lacking channels, and the $85 price ticket for the bottom plan, make it much less enticing than YouTube TV for many viewers. Learn our Fubo evaluate.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Philo raised its value from $25 to $28 for brand new subscribers and added an AMC Plus bundle, and it is nonetheless an inexpensive reside TV streaming service with quite a lot of channels. But it surely lacks sports activities channels, native stations and big-name information networks — though BBC information and Cheddar can be found. Philo gives bread-and-butter cable staples like Comedy Channel, Magnolia Community and Nickelodeon and focuses on life-style and actuality programming. It is also one of many least expensive reside providers that streams Paramount, dwelling of Yellowstone, and it features a cloud DVR and optionally available add-ons from Epix and Starz. We predict most individuals are higher off paying a couple of dollars extra for Sling TV’s superior service, but when Philo has each channel you need, it is a respectable deal. Learn our Philo evaluate.



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