YouTube TV is a great streaming service. But it’s not the only one. Here are the best YouTube TV alternatives you should check out.
YouTube TV is among the most popular live TV streaming services in the U.S., with more than 8 million subscribers as of early 2024. That’s about a twice as many as Hulu With Live TV, and far more than that of Sling TV. But that doesn’t mean that you won’t at some point decide to test the waters elsewhere, especially given its March 2023 price increase. The good news about these streaming services is that it’s as easy to pause or cancel them as it is to sign up for them in the first place. The question is what to try next.
There’s a lot of overlap between the services, but not every service has the same channels or options as YouTube TV. Or maybe you’re looking to spend less, and pare things back accordingly. YouTube TV costs $73 a month, and some of its closest competitors also hit that price point. Others are less expensive. That’s not to say that you’ll be able to replace YouTube TV at the same price. And the list of YouTubeTV tips and tricks is a strong selling point. It’s hard to beat unlimited DVR, six profiles per account, and the ease of account management that comes with everything being tied into the Google ecosystem. You might have to pay more for the same channels. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take a look.
So what are the best YouTube TV alternatives for your needs and your budget? Let’s break ’em down.Hulu with Live TV
Hulu With Live TV actually is the most popular live TV streaming service in the United States, with 4 million paid subscribers as of July 2, 2022. It has a comparable number of channels to YouTube TV — basically bordering on 100 or so, with a number of add-ons available, too.
Hulu With Live TV also has a couple of advantages over every other competitor. First is the Hulu on-demand catalog. You’ll have access to thousands of shows and movies as part of your subscription. (Yes, you technically can get Hulu With Live TV without access to the on-demand library, but the savings is minimal.)
The big leg up for Hulu With Live TV is that it’s under the Disney umbrella. And that means it’s always in the same conversation as the Disney Bundle. On its own, the Disney Bundle gets you Disney+, ESPN+ and the basic Hulu on-demand service for just $14 a month. Bringing Hulu With Live TV into the fold brings the price to $73 a month — or just a few dollars more than Hulu With Live TV on its own. You’re basically getting a third streaming service for free at that point.
