Ditch your costly cable TV plan for a more convenient live TV streaming platform. Among the growing number of choices, DIRECTV Stream and Hulu + Live TV are compelling options for watching live sports, events, primetime soaps, and blockbuster movies.
Both live TV streaming services offer a variety of monthly plans with impressive channel lineups and extensive On-Demand libraries. The price is on the higher end, but you don’t have to sign a contract. So, what are you waiting for? Read this DIRECTV Stream vs Hulu Live comparison to explore which option provides a better cable-like experience at a reasonable price.
DirecTV Stream
DIRECTV Stream is a streaming branch of the popular satellite TV provider, DIRECTV. Previously known as AT&T TV, DIRECTV Stream delivers a cable-like user experience with an on-par channel lineup, but unfortunately, this also makes it one of the most expensive streaming services.
However, it offers remarkable benefits to cord-cutters, offering them more than 185 popular networks, 90,000 On-Demand titles, and unlimited Cloud DVR storage to record their favorite shows. Plus, DIRECTV Stream caters to all types of sports fans by offering an impressive range of regional sports networks. Moreover, this app-based service frees you from restrictive contracts and recurring monthly equipment rental charges, making it easier to watch your favorite content.
Pros
- Unlimited Cloud DVR storage
- Best sports streaming service
- Special offers on premium channels
- Robust channel lineup
- Impressive regional sports networks
- No contract
Cons
- Expensive plans
Hulu Live
Hulu, launched in 2007, is an American On-Demand streaming service now owned by The Walt Disney Company. Founded by News Corporation and NBCUniversal, the platform initially started as a rival to the famous streaming platform Netflix. However, it now also provides a live TV option for cord-cutters.
Hulu + Live TV allows viewers to enjoy all the networks that were once only available on traditional TV services. In contrast to many other live TV streaming services, Hulu + Live TV offers free Disney+ and ESPN+ services along with the top cable networks, allowing you to enjoy original content from multiple libraries.
Pros
- Free Disney+ & ESPN+ services with the base plan
- Compatible with more devices
- Includes Hulu’s extensive On-Demand library
Cons
- Small channel lineup
- Ads disrupt streaming experience on the base plan
Streaming Services Comparison – DirecTV vs Hulu Live
| Features | DirecTV Stream | Hulu Live TV |
|---|---|---|
| No. of Plans | 4 | 4 |
| Starting Price Range | $79.99 to $164.99/mo. | $75.99 – $89.99/mo. |
| Live TV Channels Range | 90 – 185+ | 95+ |
| On-Demand Titles | 60,000 – 90,000+ | 10,000+ |
| Free Trial | 5 days | 7 days |
| Premium Channels | Yes | Yes |
| Cloud DVR Storage | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Simultaneous streams (at home) | Unlimited | 2 per account |
| Simultaneous streams (on the go) | 3 per account | Unlimited |
| User Profiles | No | 7 user profiles |
DIRECTV Stream and Hulu Live are two of the most popular live TV streaming services with no hidden charges or contracts, extensive channel lineups, and On-Demand libraries. But to pick the most suitable option, let’s compare their plans, prices, channels, and other key features.
Pricing & Plans – Hulu Live vs DirecTV Stream
Although DIRECTV Stream’s basic subscription is pricier than Hulu + Live TV, Hulu + Live TV will cost extra if you want an ad-free experience. Moreover, you don’t get as many options as DIRECTV Stream with Hulu Live. Here is how the monthly subscriptions of these services compare.
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV offers the same number of channels but with different choices – you can either pay $75.99 per month to enjoy live content only or pay one dollar more to access ad-supported On-Demand content from your favorite channels and Disney+ and ESPN+. For ad-free Hulu and Disney+ content, you’ll have to pay $13 more each month.
Hulu also has a fourth plan, giving you access to ad-free content from Disney+ and ad-supported content from its library and ESPN+, but it is only available to existing customers. No matter which plan you choose, With Hulu + Live TV, you can watch your favorite shows at home or on the go without the additional expenses and restrictions often associated with cable TV.
| Plan | Starting Price | Live TV Channels |
|---|---|---|
| Live TV Only | $75.99/mo. | 95+ |
| Hulu (With Ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (With Ads) & ESPN+ (With Ads) | $76.99/mo. | 95+ |
| Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (No Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads)* | $89.99/mo. | 95+ |
| Hulu (With Ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (No Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads) | $81.99/mo.* | 95+ |
**Disney+ and ESPN+ are unavailable for customers who are billed by T-Mobile.
***Price is subject to change
DIRECTV Stream
In contrast, DIRECTV Stream offers four different channel lineups. With monthly subscriptions starting from $79.99, this streaming service is slightly pricier than Hulu + Live TV, but it gives you access to more channels and On-Demand titles. Moreover, it has better promotional deals, allowing new customers to enjoy free premium networks and save up to $30 in the first three months.
You can even enjoy exclusive sports content by pairing your DIRECTV Stream plan with the provider’s Sports Pack. This bundling offer is more valuable for customers who are interested in DIRECTV Stream’s Choice and Ultimate packages, allowing you to watch your favorite local and international teams for a month at no additional cost.
| Plan | Promotional Price | Live TV Channels |
|---|---|---|
| ENTERTAINMENT + Sports Pack | $84.98/mo. + tax for 3 mos. | 90+ |
| CHOICE™ + Sports Pack | $98.99/mo. + tax for 1 mo. | 125+ |
| ULTIMATE + Sports Pack | $109.99/mo. + tax for 1 mo. | 160+ |
| PREMIER + Sports Pack | $169.98/mo. + tax for 3 mos. | 185+ |
**Entertainment subscribers must add the DIRECTV Sports Pack to get the promo discount.
***Sports Pack is included for 1 month on Choice and Ultimate packages for free, after which a monthly fee of $14.99 will apply.
Compatible Devices – DirecTV Stream vs Hulu Live
Both DIRECTV Stream and Hulu + Live TV don’t require any specialized hardware to give access to your preferred networks; all you need is a compatible device to see your favorite shows. So which service works on more gadgets?
DIRECTV Stream can function on most devices, but Hulu + Live TV is a clear winner here since it is accessible through more devices, including PS4, Echo Show, and even Xbox One. But for a more detailed overview, here is how DIRECTV Stream and Hulu Live compare in terms of device compatibility.
| Devices | DIRECTV Stream | Hulu + Live TV |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Fire Cube, Stick, TV | ✔ | ✔ |
| Android phones, tablets | ✔ | ✔ |
| Android TV | ✔ | ✔ |
| Apple TV | ✔ | ✔ |
| Chromecast | ✔ | ✔ |
| Echo Show | ╳ | ✔ |
| iOS | ✔ | ✔ |
| LG Smart TVs | ╳ | ✔ |
| Nintendo Switch | ╳ | ✔ |
| PlayStation 4 | ╳ | ✔ |
| Roku | ✔ | ✔ |
| Samsung TV (select models) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Xbox One | ╳ | ✔ |
Streaming Quality – DIRECTV vs Hulu Live
While the streaming resolution for both services is the same (up to 720p for live TV programs and 1080p for on-demand programs), some of Hulu’s on-demand titles are available in 4K UHD. On the other hand, DIRECTV Stream does not support 4K streaming at all.
Channels Comparison
The main difference between DIRECTV Stream and Hulu + Live TV is their channel count. While Hulu Live only offers over 95 channels in every package, you get four different channel lineups with DIRECTV Stream at different monthly prices. Let’s explore how Hulu Live vs DirecTV Stream compare in terms of famous networks.
Local Channels
Hulu + Live TV is your best choice for broadcasting networks like ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and The CW, giving you live updates of your area, weather, and forecasts. On the other hand, DIRECTV Stream only offers local networks at certain locations, and there is no guarantee that you might also receive them.
| Local Channels | DIRECTV Stream | Hulu + Live TV |
|---|---|---|
| ABC | No | Yes |
| CBS | No | Yes |
| FOX | No | Yes |
| NBC | No | Yes |
| PBS | No | Yes |
| The CW | No | Yes |
**DIRECTV Stream only offers local networks at certain locations.
Live Channels
Your preferred live TV streaming service should have all your favorite channels. Therefore, we have created a list of top cable networks so you can see which channels you’ll get with DIRECTV Stream and Hulu + Live TV.
| Live TV Channels | DIRECTV Stream | Hulu + Live TV |
|---|---|---|
| A&E | ✔ | ✔ |
| ACC Network | ✔ | ✔ |
| AccuWeather | ✔ | ✗ |
| AMC | ✔ | ✗ |
| Animal Planet | ✔ | ✔ |
| AXS TV | ✔ | ✗ |
| BabyFirst | ✔ | ✗ |
| BBC America | ✔ | ✗ |
| BBC News | ✔ | ✗ |
| BET | ✔ | ✔ |
| BET Her | ✔ | ✗ |
| Big Ten Network | ✔ | ✔ |
| Bloomberg TV | ✔ | ✔ |
| Boomerang | ✔ | ✗ |
| Bravo | ✔ | ✔ |
| Cartoon Network | ✔ | ✔ |
| CBS Sports Network | ✔ | ✔ |
| Cheddar News | ✔ | ✔ |
| CMT | ✔ | ✔ |
| CNBC | ✔ | ✔ |
| CNN | ✔ | ✔ |
| CNNi | ✔ | ✔ |
| Comedy Central | ✔ | ✔ |
| Comedy TV | ✔ | ✔ |
| Cooking Channel | ✔ | ✗ |
| Cozi TV | ✔ | ✔ |
| C-SPAN | ✔ | ✗ |
| C-SPAN2 | ✔ | ✗ |
| Daystar | ✔ | ✗ |
| Destination America | ✔ | ✗ |
| Discovery Channel | ✔ | ✔ |
| Disney Channel | ✔ | ✔ |
| Disney Junior | ✔ | ✔ |
| Disney XD | ✔ | ✔ |
| E! | ✔ | ✔ |
| ESPN | ✔ | ✔ |
| ESPN2 | ✔ | ✔ |
| ESPNews | ✔ | ✔ |
| ESPNU | ✔ | ✔ |
| FMC | ✔ | ✗ |
| FanDuel TV | ✔ | ✗ |
| Food Network | ✔ | ✔ |
| FOX Business Network | ✔ | ✔ |
| Fox News Channel | ✔ | ✔ |
| FS1 | ✔ | ✔ |
| FS2 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Freeform | ✔ | ✔ |
| Fuse | ✔ | ✗ |
| FX | ✔ | ✔ |
| FXM | ✔ | ✔ |
| FXX | ✔ | ✔ |
| fyi, | ✔ | ✔ |
| Galavisión | ✔ | ✗ |
| Game Show Network | ✔ | ✔ |
| GET | ✔ | ✔ |
| Golf Channel | ✔ | ✔ |
| Great American Family | ✔ | ✔ |
| Hallmark Channel | ✔ | ✔ |
| Hallmark Mystery | ✔ | ✔ |
| HGTV | ✔ | ✔ |
| HLN | ✔ | ✔ |
| HSN | ✔ | ✗ |
| IFC | ✔ | ✗ |
| Investigation Discovery | ✔ | ✔ |
| ION | ✔ | ✗ |
| Jewelry TV | ✔ | ✗ |
| Justice Central | ✔ | ✔ |
| Lifetime | ✔ | ✔ |
| LMN | ✔ | ✔ |
| Magnolia Network | ✔ | ✔ |
| MLB Network | ✔ | ✔ |
| MotorTrend | ✔ | ✔ |
| MSNBC | ✔ | ✔ |
| MTV | ✔ | ✔ |
| MTV2 | ✔ | ✗ |
| MTV Classic | ✔ | ✗ |
| National Geographic Channel | ✔ | ✔ |
| Nat Geo WILD | ✔ | ✔ |
| NBA TV | ✔ | ✗ |
| Newsmax | ✔ | ✗ |
| NewsNation | ✔ | ✔ |
| NFL Network | ✔ | ✔ |
| NHL Network | ✔ | ✗ |
| Nickelodeon | ✔ | ✔ |
| Nick Jr. | ✔ | ✔ |
| Nicktoons | ✔ | ✗ |
| OWN | ✔ | ✔ |
| Oxygen True Crime | ✔ | ✔ |
| Paramount Network | ✔ | ✔ |
| Pop | ✔ | ✔ |
| Pursuit Channel | ✔ | ✗ |
| QVC | ✔ | ✔ |
| QVC2 | ✔ | ✗ |
| QVC3 | ✔ | ✗ |
| Reelz | ✔ | ✗ |
| Revolt | ✔ | ✗ |
| RFD-TV | ✔ | ✗ |
| Science | ✔ | ✗ |
| Scientology Network | ✔ | ✗ |
| SEC Network | ✔ | ✔ |
| Smithsonian Channel | ✔ | ✔ |
| Sportsman Channel | ✔ | ✗ |
| SundanceTV | ✔ | ✗ |
| Syfy | ✔ | ✔ |
| Tastemade | ✔ | ✗ |
| TBS | ✔ | ✔ |
| TCM | ✔ | ✔ |
| TeenNick | ✔ | ✗ |
| Telemundo | ✗ | ✔ |
| Tennis Channel | ✔ | ✗ |
| The HISTORY Channel | ✔ | ✔ |
| TLC | ✔ | ✔ |
| TNT | ✔ | ✔ |
| Travel Channel | ✔ | ✔ |
| TruTV | ✔ | ✔ |
| TV Land | ✔ | ✔ |
| Univision | ✔ | ✗ |
| USA Network | ✔ | ✔ |
| VH1 | ✔ | ✔ |
| VICE | ✔ | ✔ |
| WEtv | ✔ | ✗ |
| Weather Channel | ✔ | ✔ |
| Yahoo Finance | ✔ | ✗ |
The channel lineup may seem somewhat similar, but you get more popular cable networks with Hulu + Live TV than DIRECTV Stream’s base plan. On the other hand, DIRECTV Stream offers more sports channels and special offers on premium networks.
Premium Channels
Both DIRECTV Stream and Hulu + Live TV give you a selection of premium channels. However, DIRECTV Streams has an edge over Hulu because it has exclusive offers on these channels. While all three DIRECTV Stream plans offer free access to them for the first three months, the Premier plan includes all of them, except MGM+, in its channel lineup.
On the other hand, Hulu + Live TV offers most of these channels as add-ons. However, it does not include MGM+ in its premium channel add-ons.
| Premium Channels | DIRECTV Stream | Hulu + Live TV | |
| ENTERTAINMENT, CHOICE & ULTIMATE | PREMIER | ||
| Max | $0 for 3 mos., then $15.99/mo. | Included | $15.99/mo. |
| CINEMAX® | $0 for 3 mos., then $10.99/mo. | Included | $9.99/mo. |
| Paramount+ with SHOWTIME | $0 for 3 mos., then $11.99/mo. | Included | $11.99/mo. |
| STARZ® | $0 for 3 mos., then $10.99/mo. | Included | $9.99/mo. |
| MGM+™ | $0 for 3 mos., then $5.99/mo. | $0 for 3 mos., then $5.99/mo. | ✗ |
Sports Channels
Sports networks are where Hulu Live and DIRECTV Stream differ the most. Hulu + Live TV offers a good selection of sports channels, but the Choice, Ultimate, and Premier plans of DIRECTV Stream give you access to all the major sports networks. Therefore, you can easily keep up with your preferred local teams and watch your favorite players in action.
| Sports Channels | DIRECTV Stream | Hulu + Live TV |
|---|---|---|
| ACC Network | ✔ | ✔ |
| Big Ten Network | ✔ | ✔ |
| CBS Sports Network | ✔ | ✔ |
| ESPN | ✔ | ✔ |
| ESPN2 | ✔ | ✔ |
| ESPNews | ✔ | ✔ |
| ESPNU | ✔ | ✔ |
| FanDuel TV | ✔ | ✗ |
| FS1 | ✔ | ✔ |
| FS2 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Golf Channel | ✔ | ✔ |
| MLB Network | ✔ | ✔ |
| NBA TV | ✔ | ✗ |
| NFL Network | ✔ | ✔ |
| NHL Network | ✔ | ✗ |
| SEC Network | ✔ | ✔ |
| SportsGrid | ✔ | ✗ |
| Sportsman Channel | ✔ | ✗ |
| Tennis Channel | ✔ | ✗ |
| TUDN | ✔ | ✗ |
Final Verdict
Cord-cutting is a trending solution to cut back your monthly expenses. But you don’t have to miss out on your favorite networks due to the increasing number of live TV streaming services. The Hulu Live vs DIRECTV Stream debate eventually comes down to your personal preferences, but we recommend DIRECTV Stream because of its vast channel lineup, exclusive deals on premium networks, and outstanding collection of regional networks.
