Best Hulu + Live TV Alternatives (2026)
YouTube TV is the closest like-for-like swap at a lower price; Fubo and DIRECTV STREAM add regional sports; Sling cuts cost most.
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Hulu + Live TV vs. four alternatives, feature by feature
Hulu + Live TV is the baseline column. Lowest recurring monthly rate verified Oct 12, 2026.
| Feature | Hulu + Live TV | YouTube TV | Sling TV | Fubo | DIRECTV STREAM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $99.99/mo | $82.99/mo | $45.99/mo | $55.99/mo | $74.99/mo |
| Simultaneous streams | 2 (add-on for unlimited) | 3 | 1 (Orange), 3 (Blue), 4 (both) | Up to 10 at home | Unlimited at home |
| Cloud DVR | Unlimited, 9 months | Unlimited, 9 months | 50 hours | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Local channels | All four, most markets | All four, most markets | ABC, FOX, NBC on Blue, select markets; no CBS | All four, select markets | All four, most markets |
| ESPN | Yes | Yes | Orange plan | Pro and Sports plans | Yes |
| TNT | Yes | Yes | Both plans | No | Yes |
| Regional sports networks | Limited | NBC Sports RSNs only | None | Most, select markets (fee) | Choice and up (fee) |
| On-demand bundle | Hulu, Disney+, ESPN Select | Network on-demand | Limited | Network on-demand | Network on-demand |
| Free trial | Varies (short) | Varies by promotion | None | Usually 5 to 7 days | 5 days |
| Contract | None | None | None | None | None |
Channel facts from docs/research/channel-sports-availability.md; plan facts from our evidence store. Local availability depends on ZIP code for every service.
The alternatives, ranked
Order follows our editorial score. Hulu + Live TV is not listed because this page is about replacing it.
-
The best all-around cable replacement
- 100+ channels incl. ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, ESPN
- Unlimited cloud DVR, 3 streams
- Intro offer: $59.99/mo for 2 months
$82.99/mo after the intro period
- Live TV
- Sports
- DVR
- Free Trial
- No Contract
From$82.99/moBase Plan; promo $59.99 for 2 months for new members
Best live TV overall
Editorial scoreExcellent8.0/10Verified Oct 12, 2026
-
Live TV for less, if you can skip CBS
- Lowest-priced major live TV service
- Orange: ESPN, TNT; Blue: FS1, NFL Network
- No contract; cheap add-on packs
No CBS; 1 stream on Orange; 50-hour DVR
- Live TV
- Sports
- DVR
- No Contract
From$45.99/moOrange or Blue; $60.99 for both
Best budget live TV
Editorial scoreVery good7.1/10Verified Oct 12, 2026
-
Built for fans who need their regional sports network
- Most regional sports networks of any streamer
- Up to 10 streams, unlimited DVR, 4K events
- Free trial usually offered
No TNT or TBS; regional sports fee extra
- Live TV
- Sports
- DVR
- 4K
- Free Trial
From$55.99/moSports tier; Pro $88.99 plus regional sports fee
Best for regional sports networks and soccer
Editorial scoreGood6.7/10Verified Oct 12, 2026
-
Nearly every channel, at a cable-like price
- Deepest channel lineup, up to 185+
- Regional sports plus ESPN and TNT
- 5-day free trial, unlimited at-home streams
Highest price; regional sports fee up to $19.99
- Live TV
- Sports
- DVR
- Free Trial
- No Contract
From$74.99/moMySports genre pack; ENTERTAINMENT $89.99
Best cable-like channel lineup
Editorial scoreGood6.7/10Verified Oct 12, 2026
Why people leave Hulu + Live TV, and the quick fixes
- Price ($99.99/mo and up): YouTube TV and Sling start lower.
- Two streams: YouTube TV has three; Fubo and DIRECTV STREAM far more.
- Few RSNs: Fubo and DIRECTV STREAM (Choice and up), with a fee.
- NBA TV, MLB Network, NHL Network unconfirmed on the 2026 lineup.
- App merging into Disney+; hulu.com redirects to disneyplus.com.
- Leaving loses Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Select, and the 47 ESPN+ NHL games.
Why consider an alternative to Hulu + Live TV
- Price: among the most expensive plans we rank, and the October 2026 Disney increase moved it higher; unused Hulu or Disney+ libraries are wasted money.
- Two streams: lifting the limit at home needs the unlimited screens add-on.
- Limited RSNs: most, including FanDuel Sports Networks, are not carried, so local MLB, NBA, NHL games are often unavailable.
- Unconfirmed league channels and 4K: NBA TV, MLB Network, NHL Network, and 4K live TV could not be confirmed in our research.
- A changing app: Hulu is being folded into Disney+. If the bundle is what you want, the Hulu guide makes the case for staying.
Pricing differences
- Three of four alternatives start lower. Sling is the deepest cut but a different product; ESPN plus locals needs both plans.
- YouTube TV's Base Plan undercuts Hulu + Live TV while matching locals, ESPN, TNT, and unlimited DVR, and adds a third stream; genre plans go lower.
- Fubo's entry price is a sports plan; Pro plus the regional sports fee lands close to Hulu + Live TV. DIRECTV STREAM's MySports pack is the entry; full packages cost more, and Choice adds a fee.
- Fair accounting credits the included libraries: YouTube TV plus a separate Disney+ and Hulu bundle ends up near the same total. See the household cost guide.
Channel availability
- YouTube TV and DIRECTV STREAM match the broadcast and cable core (four locals, ESPN, TNT) in most markets; YouTube TV lacks MLB Network and NHL Network; DIRECTV STREAM adds the most RSNs on Choice.
- Fubo keeps locals and ESPN and adds the most RSNs but drops TNT, TBS, truTV: no NBA playoffs on TNT, NHL games including the 2027 Stanley Cup Final, MLB on TBS, or the French Open.
- Sling keeps ESPN and TNT on Orange and FS1 and NFL Network on Blue, but drops CBS everywhere and most locals.
- Reason to stay: Hulu + Live TV is the only live TV service that carries the 47 streaming-exclusive NHL games. See the channel guides and sports pages.
Contract and cancellation policies
- No contracts. Hulu + Live TV cancels through the Disney account page, which has confused some subscribers mid-migration.
- YouTube TV offers a six-month pause. DIRECTV STREAM and Fubo trials need a card and bill automatically unless canceled. Sling's discounted first month reverts to the regular price.
- All five raised prices within the past two years and none locks a rate. See the cancellation and billing guide.
Pros and cons of each alternative
- YouTube TV. Pros: unlimited DVR (nine months); three streams, six profiles; four locals plus ESPN and TNT; six-month pause; multiview and Sunday Ticket. Cons: $82.99/mo after intro; 4K extra; few RSNs. Review
- Sling TV. Pros: lowest price of any major live TV service; Orange for ESPN and TNT or Blue for FS1, NFL Network, locals; cheap add-ons, Day Pass, free Freestream. Cons: one stream on Orange; no CBS, locals select markets; 50 hours DVR. Review
- Fubo. Pros: most RSNs; up to ten home streams, unlimited DVR; select 4K; strong soccer; trial usually available. Cons: no TNT, TBS, truTV; regional sports fee; repeated plan changes. Review
- DIRECTV STREAM. Pros: most RSNs plus ESPN and TNT; unlimited home streams and DVR; cable-level depth; five-day trial. Cons: most expensive with the fee; June 2026 increase; limited 4K. Review
Editorial recommendation by use case
Picks follow the weighted criteria in How We Rank.
- Cheapest: Sling TV at $45.99/mo without CBS and most locals; like-for-like at a lower price, YouTube TV. See cheapest live TV.
- Most channels: DIRECTV STREAM's upper tiers.
- Best for sports: DIRECTV STREAM for RSNs plus TNT; Fubo for RSNs and soccer when TNT does not matter; YouTube TV for national sports and Sunday Ticket. See the sports ranking.
- Best bundle: no direct substitute; closest is YouTube TV plus a separate Disney+ and Hulu bundle, described in the Disney+ guide.
Hulu + Live TV alternatives FAQ
Which alternative is most like Hulu + Live TV?
YouTube TV: same locals, ESPN, TNT, and unlimited DVR, a third stream, lower price, but no Hulu or Disney+.
Will I lose Disney+ if I switch?
Yes, unless you subscribe separately. No other live TV service bundles Disney+ or Hulu.
Which alternative allows the most streams?
DIRECTV STREAM (unlimited at home) and Fubo (up to ten). YouTube TV allows three; Sling one to four by plan.
Is there an alternative with more regional sports networks?
Fubo and DIRECTV STREAM carry far more RSNs, with a regional sports fee in RSN markets.
Do I lose the ESPN+ NHL games if I leave?
Yes. The 47 exclusives are on ESPN+, Hulu, and Disney+ only; other subscribers need the ESPN app or Disney+. See the NHL page.
Sources
Plan, price, stream, DVR, and trial facts come from our evidence store, verified Oct 12, 2026; channel facts from docs/research/channel-sports-availability.md.
- https://www.disneyplus.com/hulu
- https://techcrunch.com/2025/10/29/its-official-fubo-is-combining-with-hulu-live-tv
- https://www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/disney-plus/disney-confirms-another-price-hike-heres-how-much-youll-pay-now
Accessed Oct 12, 2026. See the editorial policy for how we verify facts.
We are an independent publisher and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Hulu, Disney, or any service listed. Editorial policy.
We may earn commissions from providers featured here. Compensation can affect placement. Affiliate Disclosure