In today’s live TV streaming market, viewers are overwhelmed with options. Not just between independent cable alternatives, but cable companies themselves are entering the competition to be the primary option for cord-cutters. We’ve looked at all the options for live TV streaming previously in a side-by-side overview. This series now takes each service head-on against each other to help viewers make more direct comparisons.
In 2016, AT&T launched DirectTV Now as an alternative to its more traditional DirecTV cable service, allowing subscribers to stream cable channels without the commitment. With multiple package tiers, subscribers can choose access to anywhere from 45 to 125 channels available through online and mobile apps.
To compete with the growing demand for live streaming cable (and local) network options without the cable commitment, popular on-demand streaming service Hulu added Hulu Live TV in 2017. The expanded service option provides viewers with access to more than 65 cable channels and local network access, as well as cloud DVR capability.
Hulu Live TV vs. DirecTV Now
Overall Winner: Hulu
While certain combinations of channels or the familiar title of DirecTV might hold some sway, in almost every category the range of options and value for the money makes Hulu Live TV a more solid pick. In addition to their unique original programming, they have a better understanding of the streaming market. Meanwhile, DirecTV Now still seems to be thinking with the big price tag and complicated packages of the old cable model, if without the cord.
Price comparison
When it comes to price, Hulu Live TV is the better deal. Starting at $44.99 a month for standard Hulu + Live TV (or $50.99 for ads free on Hulu on-demand shows), with 65 base channels included, it offers more choices for less than DirecTV Now. It also includes a 7-day free trial.
DirectTV Now’s cheapest package starts at $50, after the same 7-day free trial period, but only has 45 channels in that package—although it does include HBO. For customers looking for more channel options, there are a total of six main packages, priced up to $135 a month for the Ultimate package, which includes over 125 channels.
Streaming and DVR features
DirectTV Now can’t quite keep up with Hulu Live TV when it comes to streaming features. Yes, both services come with the ability to stream to two screens simultaneously, and DirecTV Now is slightly cheaper to upgrade, offering an increase to three screens for $5 more a month. However, Hulu Live TV goes from two screens to unlimited for an additional $9.99 a month.
When it comes to DVR options, Hulu Live TV is well ahead of DirecTV Now, which only relatively recently added cloud DVR, and is currently limited to 20 hours of free storage (and only keeps recordings up to 30 days). Hulu Live TV offers a cloud DVR with up to 50 hours of recorded storage, which can be increased to 200 hours with the Enhanced Cloud DVR add on ($9.99). Or, for $14.99 a month, subscribers can combine the Enhanced Cloud DVR and the unlimited screen features.
Cable channel comparison
Upfront it looks like DirecTV Now has more cable channel options, with packages ranging from 45 to 125 channels. However, looking closely, the selection isn’t great. When comparing packages, the moderate-priced options, Plus and Max, don’t include many of the highly popular cable networks, including BBC America, AMC, A&E, History, and Food Network. Subscribers have to jump to the $93 package to get those. And the free bonus premiums that are part of the first two lower tiers are not included at the higher price points.
Meanwhile, while Hulu Live TV is missing a few of the more popular options—most notably BBC America, Comedy Central, and AMC—they have a much wider selection of networks in their base 65-channel package. While Hulu is missing roughly the same number of the leading basic cable networks, the overall quantity and quality for price balance are in Hulu’s favor.
Local TV
While regional access can vary, and it’s important to check your own area before making a final choice, and in theory, both Hulu Live TV and DirecTV Now offer local networks streaming live. Each site has a place to look up your region and see which of the major networks they carry. They both have partnerships with ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC, as well as CW in some regions. For example, you can get the big four on both services in Baltimore, Maryland, but not the CW with Hulu, which you can get with DirecTV Now.
However, Hulu appears to have a more solid and wider range of markets. It should be noted that as of this writing (July 2019), many ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC affiliate stations in select regions were recently made unavailable through DirectTV Now. The provider’s parent company AT&T and Nexstar telecommunications group, which distributes local networks in many regions, are undergoing fee disputes.
Premium channels and sports
With either service, access to premiums is mostly a la carte. DirecTV Now offers premiums included in their first two tiers, starting with HBO included with Plus ($50), and HBO and Cinemax on Max ($70). However, the higher tier packages with more basic cable channels don’t have built-in premiums, so you’re adding them on at $11 a month. Premiums that can be added (if not included) are HBO, Cinemax, Starz, and Showtime.
Hulu has the option to add on any of the same for premiums, although the pricing is more variable, along the lines of getting the services from the network directly: HBO is $14.99, Cinemax is $9.99, Starz is $8.99, and Showtime is $10.99.
Hulu Live TV has more sports options than DirecTV Now, with several more ESPN channels, FS2, Golf and Olympic channels, and more that aren’t part of the same-priced base tier of DirecTV Now.
Device compatibility and user interface
Here is a quick summary of all of the devices that are listed as compatible with each service, but overall, DirecTV Now is limited on its compatibility options:
Hulu:
- Mac & PC computers
- Roku (select models)*
- Apple TV (4th generation)*
- Apple/IOS devices
- Android phones and tablets
- Amazon Fire TV and stick
- Chromecast
- Xbox (One & 360)
- Samsung & LG smart TVs
- Nintendo switch
- Xiaomi Mi box
- Mac & PC computers – specifically Chrome and Safari browsers
- Roku (select models)*
- Apple TV (4th Generation or newer)
- Apple/IOS devices
- Android phones and tablets
- Amazon Fire TV and stick
- Chromecast
- Samsung Smart TVs
Whichever service you’re leaning towards, it is always best to look into the device model of your preferred streaming device and check the detailed compatibility specs. Many older model Rokus and Apple TVs, for example, aren’t compatible with all the newer streaming services.
Summary
While certain combinations of channels or the familiar title of DirecTV might hold some sway, in almost every category the range of options and value for the money makes Hulu Live TV a more solid pick. In addition to their unique original programming, they have a better understanding of the streaming market. Meanwhile, DirecTV Now still seems to be thinking with the big price tag and complicated packages of the old cable model, if without the cord.
