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Channel Wars: YouTube TV, Fubo, Sling TV and More Compared – USA All Americans NEWS™
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Channel Wars: YouTube TV, Fubo, Sling TV and More Compared

If you want to cut the cord or just want to keep your regular TV plan, you’ve got a lot of choices, but live TV streaming services don’t require you to lock in to a pesky contract. They offer an assortment of channels, include DVR capabilities and offer the ability to stream sports and more. Most services also allow you to watch on your laptop or phone. 

James Martin/CNET

Hulu Plus Live TV, which includes access to Disney Plus and ESPN Plus, is one of the most expensive platforms, now at $90 a month for its base package. Its channel selection isn’t as robust as YouTube TV, but Hulu’s significant catalog of on-demand content sets it apart. Exclusive titles such as Shōgun, The Bear and Only Murders in the Building give it a content advantage.

Live TV subscribers also receive unlimited DVR that includes fast-forwarding and on-demand playback — at no additional cost. It’s a move that has aligned Hulu with its competitors in terms of features, but the channel lineup may still be a deciding factor. It’s pricier than YouTube TV, which has more channels, but the access to Disney Plus and ESPN may make it a more appealing choice for you. Read our Hulu Plus Live TV review.

James Martin/CNET

Apart from its current carriage dispute with Disney, YouTube has an excellent channel selection, easy-to-use interface and best-in-class cloud DVR. Typically, the $83-per-month service is one of the best cable TV replacements. It offers a 4K upgrade add-on for an additional price, but the downside is that there isn’t much to watch at present unless you watch select channels. If you don’t mind paying a bit more than the Sling TVs of the world, or want to watch live NBA games, YouTube TV offers a high standard of live TV streaming. Read our YouTube TV review.

Sarah Tew/CNET

If you want to save a little money and don’t mind missing out on local channels, Sling TV is the best of the budget services. Its Orange and Blue packages start at $46 per month, and you can combine them for a monthly rate of $61 ($66 in some regions). The Orange option nets you one stream, while Blue gives you three. It’s not as comprehensive or as easy to navigate as YouTube, but with a bit of work, including adding an antenna or an AirTV 2 DVR, it’s an unbeatable value. We’ll also add that the service offers local channels such as ABC and CBS in some regions where the monthly rate is $51. Read our Sling TV review.

Zooey Liao/CNET

DirecTV’s base signature streaming package costs more than all the other platforms on this list  except Hulu Plus Live TV, and its stiffest competition is still Hulu and YouTube TV. With its channel selection, it’s ideal for sports fans who want to watch local or national games. 

The service does have its benefits, though — for example, it includes the flipper-friendly ability to swipe left and right to change channels. Additionally, it includes some channels that some other services can’t, including nearly 250 PBS stations nationwide. The $90 Entertainment package may suit your needs with its 100-plus channels and the inclusion of ESPN Plus, Disney Plus and Hulu. But for cord-cutters who want to follow their local NBA or MLB team, DirecTV’s pricier Choice package is a more robust live TV streaming pick because it has access to more regional sports networks than the competition. Nonetheless, you’ll want to make sure your channel is included here and not available on one of our preferred picks before you pony up. Read our DirecTV streaming service review.

Ty Pendlebury/CNET

There’s a lot to like about Fubo — it offers a wide selection of channels and its sports focus makes it especially attractive to soccer fans or NBA, NHL and MLB fans who live in an area served by one of Fubo’s RSNs. It’s also a great choice for NFL fans because it’s one of three services, alongside YouTube TV and Hulu, that offer NFL Network and optional RedZone. As of February 2025, Fubo is charging more for its service and access to Bally Sports RSNs. The biggest hole in Fubo’s lineup is the lack of Warner Bros. Discovery networks, including Cartoon Network, CNN, Food Network, HGTV, TBS and TNT — especially as the latter two carry a lot of sports content, in particular MLB, NBA and NHL. Those missing channels, and the $85 price tag for the base plan, make it less attractive than YouTube TV for most viewers. Read our Fubo review.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Philo’s Core plan is now $33 and includes the AMC Plus bundle and HBO Max at no extra cost, and it’s still a cheap live TV streaming service with a variety of channels. But it lacks sports channels, local stations and big-name news networks — although BBC News and Cheddar are available. Philo offers bread-and-butter cable staples like Comedy Central, Hallmark Channel and Nickelodeon, and specializes in lifestyle and reality programming. It’s also one of the most affordable live services that streams Paramount, home of Yellowstone, and includes a cloud DVR, as well as optional add-ons from Hallmark Plus and Starz. We think most people are better off paying a few bucks more for Sling TV’s superior service, but if Philo has every channel you want, it’s a decent deal. Read our Philo review.

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