In light of the present economic climate, streaming services have become a popular alternative to costly cable TV subscriptions. However, many people still feel skeptical since they worry about missing out on their favorite live TV channels, but with viable live TV streaming platforms, you don’t have to worry about trimming your channels while scaling your expenses.
So if you are looking for an appropriate live TV streaming service, this DirecTV Stream vs Hulu Live faceoff will compare the two most prominent names in the market. Both streaming services are an excellent option for content-loving households looking for a TV-like experience by offering a broader selection of popular and premium channels. So without further ado, let’s dive deeper into the essential details of the DIRECTV Stream vs Hulu Live comparison to see which option is better.
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.
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However, it presents remarkable benefits to the cord-cutters with a robust channel lineup of up to 150+ networks. You get an unlimited number of streams, a vast collection of On-Demand titles, and regional sports networks. Plus, it does not require standard TV equipment since it is an app-based service, making it easier for you to watch your favorite shows on the go.
Pros
- Multiple plans
- 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
- Limited plans
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. (standalone) | $75.99 – $89.99/mo. |
| $84.98 to $169.98/mo. (bundled) | ||
| Live TV Channels Range | 90 – 185+ | 95+ |
| On-Demand Titles | 60,000 – 90,000+ | 10,000+ |
| Free Trial | Yes (5 days) | Yes (7 days) |
| Premium Channels | Yes | Yes |
| Cloud DVR Storage | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Simultaneous streams per account | At home: Unlimited | Generally: 2 |
| On the go: 3 | Add-on: Unlimited | |
| User Profiles | No | Yes (7 user profiles) |
| Learn More | Call Now! | Call Now! |
DIRECTV Stream and Hulu Live are two of the most popular live TV streaming services with outstanding features and unique offerings. But which one is more suited for your content-hungry household? The decision can depend on your favorite networks and requirements. Therefore it is essential to understand the key features that set them apart.
This Hulu Live vs. DIRECTV Stream comparison examines the two well-known live TV streaming services in terms of their plans, costs, channel lineups, device compatibility, and other factors. Continue reading to find the service that fulfills all your entertainment demands.
Pricing & Plans – Hulu Live vs DirecTV Stream
Although the initial prices for both streaming services are the same, Hulu + Live TV will cost extra if you want an ad-free experience. DIRECTV Stream also gets a nod for providing more options, allowing you to select the package with your preferred networks. Here is how the monthly subscriptions of these services compare.
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV offers the same plan with two choices – you can either pay $69.99 per month to enjoy your favorite content across more than 85 channels with advertisements or pay $82.99 for an ad-free experience. Either way, you get unlimited cloud DVR storage, On-Demand selections, and Disney+ and ESPN+ original programming.
The platform also provides a Live TV Only option for $68.99 a month, which grants you access to only live programming and excludes content from Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+.
| Plan | Starting Price | Live TV Channels | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live TV Only | $75.99/mo. | 95+ | Call Now |
| Hulu (With Ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (With Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads) | $76.99/mo. | 95+ | Call Now |
| Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (No Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads)* | $89.99/mo. | 95+ | Call Now |
| Hulu (With Ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (No Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads) | $81.99/mo.* | 95+ | Call Now |
**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 a robust channel lineup across four plans. Starting at $70, the price of DIRECTV Stream increases as you move down the list. However, the streaming branch of DIRECTV replicates the cable-like TV experience by allowing you to watch major cable networks. It also provides access to a sizable On-Demand library and includes an outstanding selection of local sports channels.
The only downside? The 20 hours of included cloud DVR storage is barely enough to keep up with all the channels, and you’ll have to pay an additional $10 to upgrade it. Here is a brief overview of all the DIRECTV Stream plans.
| Plan | Promotional Price | Live TV Channels | Contact DIRECTV |
| ENTERTAINMENT + Sports Pack | $84.98/mo. + tax for 3 mos. | 90+ | Call Now |
| CHOICE™ + Sports Pack | $98.99/mo. + tax for 1 mo. | 125+ | Call Now |
| ULTIMATE + Sports Pack | $109.99/mo. + tax for 1 mo. | 160+ | Call Now |
| PREMIER + Sports Pack | $169.98/mo. + tax for 3 mos. | 185+ | Call Now |
**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 85 channels, you get four different channel counts with DIRECTV Stream at distinct price points. Let’s explore how Hulu Live vs DirecTV Stream compare in terms of famous networks.
Both DIRECTV Stream and Hulu + Live TV offer local networks like ABC, CBS, FOX, and others in the channel lists. The following table highlights the availability of popular local channels in their lineup.
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 gets an edge 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 them in its channel lineup.
On the other hand, Hulu + Live TV offers most of these channels as add-ons. However, it does not include EPIX 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 ULTIMATE and PREMIER plans of DIRECTV Stream allow you access to all the major sports networks. You can also follow your preferred local teams, thanks to a great assortment of regional sports networks.
| 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 the new trend to cut back your monthly expenses. But you don’t have to miss out on your favorite networks thanks to the increasing number of live TV streaming services. The Hulu Live vs DIRECTV Stream debate eventually comes down to the value, but we prefer DIRECTV Stream because of its vast channel lineup, exclusive deals on premium networks, and outstanding collection of regional networks.
