

YouTube TV doesn't have any additional channel packages, although you can add individual channels like Shudder and CuriosityStream for additional fees. One is an add-on for $8 per month with 17 channels including MTV Classic, CNBC World, the Cooking Channel and Science, and the other is a Spanish-language package with seven channels for $5. Premium channels like HBO, Starz and Showtime are also available for extra fees, and Hulu has two optional channel packages. Hulu users can sign up for a $10 package which includes NFL RedZone, Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel, MAVTV Motorsports Network, TVG and TVG2. You can pay another $11 to get the "Sports Plus" add-on that also includes Fox College Sports, GolTV, NFL RedZone and Fox Soccer Plus. Though YouTube TV used to have MLB Network as well, it dropped the channel earlier this year. Beyond RSNs, however, YouTube TV has an advantage in national sports networks, with NBA TV available as part of its base package. Neither service offers many regional sports networks after both YouTube TV and Hulu dropped them in 2020. Only YouTube TV carries PBS local stations you can't watch your local PBS affiliate live on Hulu. However, Hulu also has an excellent selection of channels and adds a gigantic catalog of on-demand shows and movies as well as the Disney Bundle - Disney Plus and ESPN Plus - included in the $70 price.īoth services offer all four of the major local channels - ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC - in most areas of the country, and both also carry local affiliates from The CW and MyTV. It's also $5 less expensive at $65 per month. In general, we like YouTube TV best, because of a handful of important channels that Hulu lacks, including your local PBS station. You can access them via media streamers such as Roku, Amazon Fire TV or Apple TV, your game console or your smart TV itself. Both services offer a large selection of live channels, such as CNN, ESPN and TNT, as well as local stations ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and more. A premium subscription lets you cut the cable TV cord while keeping features like an advanced DVR with program guide and extensive on-demand content. These two cost more than most streaming services but they're still cheaper than cable. At CNET we've tested six of the major services, and our two favorites for premium users - cord-cutters who don't mind paying a bit more for a full package of channels and features - are YouTube TV and Hulu Plus Live TV. We're all watching more TV, and with sports such as NBA basketball and NHL hockey getting to the sharp end of their seasons, it's a great time to consider a live TV streaming service.
