Streaming Service Channel Comparison Review

Sling TV vs. DIRECTV NOW vs. fuboTV vs. PlayStation Vue vs. Hulu with Live TV vs. YouTube TV—Channel Comparison

We know that picking the best TV streaming service option can be hard—like, Bachelor-finale-who-will-he-give-the-rose-to hard. So we’ve compiled an updated overview of the various channels, premium packages, and add-ons that Sling TV, DIRECTV NOW, PlayStation Vue, Hulu with Live TV, and YouTube TV offer.

If you’re trying to decide between The Walking Dead and Iron Chef, or between watching your favorite sports team play live and getting your Kardashian fix (it’s a thing), we have the lowdown on which TV service you should choose.

If you want to jump to a specific channel, try typing CTRL + F and using the search field in your browser.

Sling TV packages, pricing, and channels

If you’re not picky about missing traditional cable, Sling TV’s affordable packages can save you dough on subscription TV.

Here’s the deal: between commercials and subpar local channel offerings, Sling TV’s plans aren’t perfect. But with an updated cloud DVR service and a variety of add-ons, we can’t help but like it—especially with how good the prices are.

One thing to note, though: Sling TV splits up the most desirable channels between two base packages (Sling Orange and Sling Blue). Because of this, if you’re torn between, say, ESPN and National Geographic, you’d have to get the most expensive package (Sling Orange+Blue) to get the best of both worlds.

Sling TV channels and packages

DIRECTV NOW packages, pricing, and channels

Nationwide coverage, solid channel selections, and decent on-demand options done right.

DIRECTV NOW’s streaming quality is so-so, as is its DVR, but it has tons of channels like ABC and ESPN even in its most basic package— and we think it’s decently priced.

Also, it’s worth mentioning that DIRECTV NOW offers premium channels add-ons like HBO for as little as $5 a month—a steal if we’ve ever seen one.

DIRECTV NOW channels and packages

fuboTV packages, pricing, and channels

If you’re a big international soccer fan or are into niche sports, fuboTV is your plug for watching sports online.

fuboTV’s DVR capabilities and niche sports programming take the cake but be warned that it strangely doesn’t have ESPN, and you have to be cautious of misleading fees.

For example, the introductory rate for both packages is $19.99 for the first month, but then they’ll spike up to their original prices after the month is up.

fuboTV channels and packages

PlayStation Vue packages, pricing, and channels

PlayStation Vue has steep rates, but its noteworthy streaming quality and DVR make it worth the bill.

You don’t actually have to own a PlayStation 3 (PS3) or a PlayStation 4 (PS4) to reap the benefits of PlayStation Vue’s high channel count and awesome playback features.

PlayStation Vue’s top-notch streaming quality, flexibility with add-ons, and a strong DVR to boot can make the moola worth it.

PlayStation Vue channels and packages

Hulu with Live TV packages, pricing, and channels

Hulu with Live TV gets you access to the largest volume of local channels nationwide and the original Hulu streaming library.

If you’re already a heavy Hulu user and love nostalgic throwbacks like Seinfeld, look no further. Adding Hulu with Live TV to Hulu’s already solid original content gives it an edge over competitors like YouTube TV, whose original content is, let’s be honest, only subpar.

Keep in mind, though, Hulu with Live TV comes with a frustrating user interface to navigate, and its add-on and DVR upgrade costs rack up fast.

See which local channels are available in your ZIP code here.

Hulu with Live TV channels and packages

YouTube TV packages, pricing, and channels

YouTube TV is the best in the game for DVR, and its local channels are pretty brag-worthy, too.

Not only is it available in 85 markets nationwide, YouTube TV has unlimited DVR that lets you save recordings for up to nine months (it’s the only service that offers this, btw), and it’s more accommodating for multiple-home families.

Unlike other TV streaming services, YouTube TV allows you to create multiple profiles outside your home network. Plus, YouTube TV is killing it on the local channel front, so unless you live in the boonies, you should all be good to go.

YouTube TV channels and packages

What now?

With all the options, it can be hard to choose.

If only one streaming TV service has your must-have channel, then your decision is already made for you. But if you still want to explore your options, we recommend signing up for a free trial—we did it, and it took all of two seconds.

Sling TV, DIRECTV NOW, fuboTV, Hulu with Live TV,  and YouTube TV offer seven-day trials, while PlayStation Vue offers a fourteen-day trial (excluding the Ultra Package). Pay attention to those end dates, though, as some of the services will charge you the minute you extend over.

Get a free trial before you buy

Add-ons, premium channels, and DVR options

Getting a few add-ons can enhance your entire streaming experience. 

Want to know which of the six TV streaming services get premium channels, and for what price? We got you.

Premium channel add-ons for top TV streaming service providers

Just so you know

Overall, we recommend DIRECTV NOW as the best for streaming movies. It has an awesome selection, and HBO or CINEMAX for only $5/mo.? Take that, Subway.

• DIRECTV NOW’s SHOWTIME channel is actually SHOWTIME East, meaning broadcasts for the eastern time zone. SHOWTIME West is the same channel—it’s just time-delayed three hours to match Pacific time.
• You can pair CINEMAX with HBO in PlayStation Vue’s in Max Pack for $21.99/mo. (versus paying $30/mo. for both).
• Save $15 by coupling PlayStation Vue’s EPIX HITS package with SHOWTIME in the Premium Pack for $13.99/mo.

Customize those add-ons

Do you enjoy watching TV in a different language? Do you love to watch a specific sport? Add-ons can help you customize your plan.

DVR features

We’ve briefly touched on DVR features, but we wanted to give you an overall breakdown for each streaming service too.

Sling TV

• DVR option: Only if you upgrade
• Upgrade cost: $5/mo. for fifty hours
• Time available: 0 hours

DIRECTV NOW

• DVR option: Yes
• Upgrade cost: N/A
• Hours available: 20 hours

fuboTV

• DVR option: Yes, but average
• Upgrade cost: $9.99/mo. for 500 hours
• Time available: 30 hours

PlayStation Vue

• DVR option: Unlimited
• Upgrade cost: N/A
• Time available: 28 days

Hulu with Live TV

• DVR option: Yes
• Upgrade cost: $14.99/mo. for 200 hours
• Time available: 50 hours

YouTube TV

• DVR option: Unlimited
• Upgrade cost: N/A
• Time available: 9 months

We can’t stress enough how good YouTube TV’s DVR is. It’s the best TV streaming service for DVR capabilities, and its “Recommended for You” section uses Google’s tracking algorithm, so it’s crazy accurate.

If you have any lingering questions, let us know in the comments.