So I've been a DIRECTV customer going on 13 years now. I've been such a fan and loyal customer that, years ago, they once sent representatives from the El Segundo headquarters a few miles away to my apartment to pick my brain on current and future features. I was able to convince the sales department to give me one of the first Genie boxes as a long-time customer - something they were only offering to new customers at the time - and after a lengthy back and forth, they decided I would be a good test case/"focus group" to get my thoughts on the Genie, as someone already familiar with the brand/experience. I spent an entire afternoon with two of the guys responsible for the UIX, answering every question they had, suggesting features, and learning all sorts of stuff, which, being a huge nerd about this kind of stuff, I found it incredibly fun and interesting.

In other words, I've always been a big DIRECTV guy through-and-through, but I'm leaving my apartment of 12 years and moving into a house next week, and decided it was finally time to cut the cord. The whole cable/satellite thing just feels so ancient at this point, and I'm beyond ready to literally cut the cords, drop the set-top boxes, and just have a single, simple Apple TV for each TV. I've really been looking forward to testing out a couple of streaming platforms, and streamline the entire TV-watching experience.

That is, until yesterday, when I spent a good chunk of the day signing up for and comparing both YouTube TV and Hulu Live TV. And man, am I disappointed. Nether Roku, Sling, nor Pluto TV offer all the channels/features I want, or seem very robust comparatively, so I ultimately narrowed my testing down to just YouTube TV and Hulu Plus Live TV. I'd heard only raves about YouTube TV, in particular, and while that's probably the one I'll end up going with, I'm kind of shocked so many people speak so highly of it. Hulu Live TV is slightly worse, IMO, though has a couple of minor advantages. So, for anyone in the same boat as me, here's what I've discovered, that I had no idea about previously...


YouTube TV
$64.99 per month

• Allows the user to customize the guide, select which channels they want to appear, in a desired order, etc. However, the fonts are GIANT and make the app look like something for children.
• Unlimited DVR space, but can't fast forward through commercials. (The article below says you CAN fast forward through commercials, but I recorded two shows as a test last night and couldn't fast forward through commercials for either.)
• This is a big one for me, but it doesn't allow recording of individual episodes. You can only "record" series titles, essentially, and it doesn't give you the option to record only new airings. It records *every* episode of whatever show you've chosen, and I don't think you can delete certain episodes after having been recorded, either. In fact, I don't even think it's truly "recording" anything, as it performs more like you're "favoriting" your top shows in an app.
• Apparently you CAN record individual sporting events. But when it comes to wanting to record, say, the Oscars - a live event that's not sports - I'm not sure. Anyone know the answer?
• Probably the better channel line-up between the two overall (but doesn't offer the History Channel, which I watch semi-regularly).

Hulu Plus Live TV
$54.99 per month

• If you want the maddening UIX of the primary Hulu app, except in live TV/guide form, this is the choice for you.
• Does not allow customization of the guide. I like the smaller font and layout of the guide better than YouTube TV, but no customization is nearly a deal breaker.
• Only 50 hours of DVR space. Though, for the life of me, I could not get anything to actually record. Time and again, I would set a show to record and it would never appear in the DVR list. I tried this multiple times, with multiple shows, and nothing ever stuck. And if I could have recorded anything, you can't fast forward through commercials regardless.
• Offers the History Channel, but doesn't offer NBA TV, which YouTube TV does (random example, but one that stuck out to me on first impression).

Overall, it's the DVR capabilities - or lack there of - that I really found disappointing, on both platforms. To the point where it seriously made me reconsider going through the whole DIRECTV rigamarole again; mounting a satellite on my roof, having cables run throughout the house, etc, which I really don't want to do. But man, am I going to miss its DVR capabilities, and the ease of use in that regard.

Again, I'll likely begrudgingly go with YouTube TV, and will just hope I can record certain live events that aren't sports, and buy individual episodes of anything I watch on History via Apple TV. But I really wish the app was better overall. Hopefully, there are certain points/features I'm missing, which is one of the reasons I wanted to post all this, so I (and others) can be enlightened.

Anyway, for a more comprehensive breakdown/comparison of the two services, check out the article below, along with this handy chart...

https://www.cnet.com/news/youtube-tv-vs-hulu-plus-live-tv-which-live-tv-streaming-service-is-best-for-you/

Another DIRECTV advantage I just remembered... Lakers/Raptors was on last night as I was testing all of this, and because of the Lakers TV deal in SoCal, the game was blacked out on ESPN - on both streaming platforms, the ESPN app, along with DIRECTV. However, on DIRECTV, I was able to get the game on 691 - the local Spectrum Sports channel - something I obviously couldn't do on the streaming platforms. So those of you whose regional teams have smilier TV deals, you'll likely still be able to get the games on DIRECTV, but *not* via the streaming services, which sucks.

Was a huge DTV loyalist and in the last 3 years I've done local cable for a small time, YTTV and Hulu TV.

YTTV is the best and I don't even think about the days of DTV. I have 5 tv's in the house and a roku on each.

The luxuries of DTV (mainly the dvr and issues you highlighted) just don't matter to me. If you record live shows or set them to record you aren't forced to watch commercials.

Ex: new Yellowstone tonight. I already have it set to record so when it does I watch commercial free. If I hadn't and tomorrow set it to record but wanted to watch the previous night's episode, there would be commercials until another broadcast of that show airs.

Guide isn't great or fluid, some things are clunky but for my money and viewing tastes it's by far the best option.

That's good to know, and a good distinction, re: the fast forwarding.

Also, have you been able to record live shows/events that aren't sports?

The customer service thing is 100% accurate. I've been on the phone with them the past couple days, and it's just horrible now. They used to be so good and accommodating, but the service - and even the call quality itself - is just pathetic. It was so muffled, I literally couldn't hear what the guy was saying on the other end of the line. He had to call me back, and it was still bad when he did. I've been on the phone a ton lately getting ready for this move, and no other calls I've made have been like that.

Ok, sweet. That's good to know. Thanks.

Yeah, that's what I'm going to do. I'm cancelling DIRECTV this week regardless. Then, if I absolutely want it at the new place after a month or so, I'll just order it again. But I have a feeling I'll get more and more used to YTTV, and just end up sticking with that.

Bunk Moreland said:

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Guide isn't great or fluid, some things are clunky but for my money and viewing tastes it's by far the best option.

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On my Frame tv, the guide is super smooth. On my older roku tv's its pretty clunky, so it really is just a tv/ smart device hardware thing I think.

As far as the individual episode thing, does that really matter? It kind of annoyed me at first, but then once I was used to having unlimited DVR, it doesn't bother me at all.

Youtube TV used to allow you to share with up to 5 other users for free, they didn't even have to live in your house. Do you know if they still do that, I haven't tried in a while.

I'm just curious if there is a reason you didn't test out fuboTV...

As soon as the new internet provider is available in my neighborhood, I am cutting suddenlink cable and internet and moving to streaming. Right now, my plan is to go with fubo...

Also on YTTV, for some shows like Yellowstone, even though it doesn't air on paramount until the top of the hour, I can start watching an hour early if I'm willing to deal with commercials...which I'm electing to do right now

lunchbox said:

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I'm just curious if there is a reason you didn't test out fuboTV...

As soon as the new internet provider is available in my neighborhood, I am cutting suddenlink cable and internet and moving to streaming. Right now, my plan is to go with fubo...

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Honestly, I just haven't heard as much about it compared to the others. Not as much chatter/discussion. But looking into now, it *does* seem pretty robust. I might give it a spin. That said, I have to admit, I'm getting more and more used to YouTube TV already...

Most of the streaming services have significantly increased their prices the last year or two. Those people raving about YouTube tv were probably doing so when the cost was 30%+ lower. Also streaming doesn't require equipment rental, paying 'extra' for HD or paying extra to use on multiple TVs which can add up depending on your particular setup

Yeah, when I was looking at DIRECTV prices again, the plan I have/would get again was like $60+, but then way lower on the page it said total cost was in the $80s. And with my other TVs/boxes, 4K, etc, I'm paying like $130 something right now. It's crazy.

Have to say - cut the cord completely 2 years ago and have never been happier about TV.

I have
Hulu+Live TV
Netflix
Amazon - free considering i had Prime anyway
HBO - free thru AT&T cell package
Apple TV+ - free cuz I bought a phone

and some free services that have occasional things I watch - Crackle, Stirr, Kanopy, Hoopla
I have done a free week or month of some others just to binge a show here or there - Disney+ and CBS AA.

Regarding some of your concerns.

I was concerned about DVR initially too but I've found that I almost never use it. Really consider what it is you are recording and most of the time now it isn't even necessary. I have recorded one network show in the last year. I always watch sports Live or I don't watch it. And pretty much everything else is streamable. I really don't watch traditional network or broadcast TV any more so your mileage may vary. I watch Live sports of streaming content. DVR is irrelevant. And I watch movies on Vudu that I own digitally or we rent.

Not sure about your concern on regional sports. I have not had blackout issues. If the game is on over the air it is on my Hulu channel for that game (FS SW here in Dallas for Stars, Mavs, Rangers).

The guide is not the greatest ever but it's functional. The Roku interface is simple and great one device controls everything. No changing inputs for example. So simple my wife adapted to it with no trouble and she is very very tech illiterate.

I literally don't have a single complaint and I was always complaining about DTV or AT&T Uverse or FIOS when I was with them at various times.

PS I would really recommend against Apple TV and I tried that too before I made the cut and switch to Roku. It's the one device where the apple interface is not intuitive my wife could never figure it out. And we are an Apple family with all macs, ipads iphones and watches being apple. But not TV. I still have my Apple TV but we never use it (currently not watching anything on HBO or I might have to because of the HBO/Roku spat).

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Probably the better channel line-up between the two overall (but doesn't offer the History Channel, which I watch semi-regularly).

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History channel is a constant for me too (along with Science Channel which YTTV also doesn't offer). I supplemented YTTV with Philo (has History, Science, and AXS tv) for $20 a month. YTTV + Philo was still lower than what I was paying ATT...........but then YTTV had to go up the price to $65.....ugh. So I may switch to Hulu + Philo.

As someone mentioned....that's the good thing about these services....switching around from month to month isn't a big deal. About the only thing I miss with the cord is being able to punch in a number and go directly to your channel. Obviously can't do that with streaming.

MSFC Aggie said:

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Probably the better channel line-up between the two overall (but doesn't offer the History Channel, which I watch semi-regularly).

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History channel is a constant for me too (along with Science Channel which YTTV also doesn't offer). I supplemented YTTV with Philo (has History, Science, and AXS tv) for $20 a month. YTTV + Philo was still lower than what I was paying ATT...........but then YTTV had to go up the price to $65.....ugh. So I may switch to Hulu + Philo.

As someone mentioned....that's the good thing about these services....switching around from month to month isn't a big deal. About the only thing I miss with the cord is being able to punch in a number and go directly to your channel. Obviously can't do that with streaming.

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Well it's easier - and cheaper than that on Hulu.

Hulu has the History Channel already and the Science Channel is part of a $7.99 per month entertainment bundle.

So if you are paying $65+20 = $85 now for YTTV+Philo you can do that on Hulu for $55+$8 = $63 on Hulu.

Entertainment bundle for $8 has:
American Heroes Channel
CNBC World
Cooking Channel
Destination America
Discovery Family
Discovery Life
DIY
FYI
Lifetime Movies
Science

But there is no option for AXS

The only channels I really wish I had are AMC and Paramount. So I've paid for a season of Better Call Saul and Yellowstone instead.

Zombie Jon Snow said:

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Have to say - cut the cord completely 2 years ago and have never been happier about TV.

I have
Hulu+Live TV
Netflix
Amazon - free considering i had Prime anyway
HBO - free thru AT&T cell package
Apple TV+ - free cuz I bought a phone

and some free services that have occasional things I watch - Crackle, Stirr, Kanopy, Hoopla
I have done a free week or month of some others just to binge a show here or there - Disney+ and CBS AA.

Regarding some of your concerns.

I was concerned about DVR initially too but I've found that I almost never use it. Really consider what it is you are recording and most of the time now it isn't even necessary. I have recorded one network show in the last year. I always watch sports Live or I don't watch it. And pretty much everything else is streamable. I really don't watch traditional network or broadcast TV any more so your mileage may vary. I watch Live sports of streaming content. DVR is irrelevant. And I watch movies on Vudu that I own digitally or we rent.

Not sure about your concern on regional sports. I have not had blackout issues. If the game is on over the air it is on my Hulu channel for that game (FS SW here in Dallas for Stars, Mavs, Rangers).

The guide is not the greatest ever but it's functional. The Roku interface is simple and great one device controls everything. No changing inputs for example. So simple my wife adapted to it with no trouble and she is very very tech illiterate.

I literally don't have a single complaint and I was always complaining about DTV or AT&T Uverse or FIOS when I was with them at various times.

PS I would really recommend against Apple TV and I tried that too before I made the cut and switch to Roku. It's the one device where the apple interface is not intuitive my wife could never figure it out. And we are an Apple family with all macs, ipads iphones and watches being apple. But not TV. I still have my Apple TV but we never use it (currently not watching anything on HBO or I might have to because of the HBO/Roku spat).

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• I only record what I can't get on the apps I pay for, and for episodes of shows I don't want to wait 24 hours to appear on the apps. I basically only record 60 Minutes, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and Saturday Night Live in terms of network shows. And then Real Time and Last Week Tonight on HBO, since those don't show up on the app until a few hours after they air (unlike their scripted stuff, which shows up simultaneously). And then with History, I record three or four shows as well.
• The Lakers deal is a Spectrum Sports exclusive to Southern California. Some national games air locally on ABC/ESPN/TNT, but most are exclusive to Spectrum Sports, which DIRECTV offers.
• Sorry, but I'm never dropping Apple TV. I'm a huge Apple guy as well, and love Apple TV so much. The ecosystem alone is worth it, with my iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV all being able to connect, communicate, and provide a seamless experience between devices. It's incredible. Never mind the user interface/experience, which I think is near perfect as well.

MSFC Aggie said:

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Probably the better channel line-up between the two overall (but doesn't offer the History Channel, which I watch semi-regularly).

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History channel is a constant for me too (along with Science Channel which YTTV also doesn't offer). I supplemented YTTV with Philo (has History, Science, and AXS tv) for $20 a month. YTTV + Philo was still lower than what I was paying ATT...........but then YTTV had to go up the price to $65.....ugh. So I may switch to Hulu + Philo.

As someone mentioned....that's the good thing about these services....switching around from month to month isn't a big deal. About the only thing I miss with the cord is being able to punch in a number and go directly to your channel. Obviously can't do that with streaming.

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I read about the Philo solve last night, and am definitely considering it. But even at just $20 per month, I think I'd end up paying less at $3 per episode per year for the History series I watch than I would by subscribing to Philo year round. I need to do the math, though. Why History is seemingly the one channel left out of YouTube TV's lineup is beyond me...

Not having AMC is a big strike against Hulu. I gotta have AMC (BCS).

And fubo doesn't have TBS or TNT.

And just like with the cord, 80% of the channels I'm getting...I don't give a crap about.

I'm really hoping for a la carte.....but I know that will never happen.

I still get all of those channels you guys are missing on AT&T Now, but I'm grandfathered in on the original plan. I think they might have changed the channel lineup, but if not then it's definitely an option worth considering. A lot of people complained about it initially, but it's literally the only option at this time that includes all the channels I watch (same as what's been pointed out by folks on this thread like history, amc, paramount, etc). Its DVR sucks, but I never use it. Just stream any shows I'd be using it for on the individual channel apps.

Been happy with it thus far after using it for the last few years. And since I travel all over for work, I bring it with me through my fire stick to watch everything I'd want in Airbnb's and hotels.

MSFC Aggie said:

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Not having AMC is a big strike against Hulu. I gotta have AMC (BCS).

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yeah i kinda thought the same thing when i moved and switched.

However in almost 2 years since S4 ended in late 2018 there have been a total of 10 episodes of BCS..... not worth paying $10 more per month so I could have it for the 2.5 months I needed it. I paid $19.99 instead for those 10 episodes. And right now it looks like it will be a while before S6 sometime in 2021 TBD.

I cut the cord two years ago and haven't missed regular tv at all. I use Hulu live during the football season and then go back to basic Hulu after the Super Bowl. I'll then rotate between HBO and Starz to catch up on any movies during the football off season. Add in Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+, which I would have anyway, and I don't feel like I'm really missing out on anything. The only show that I'm behind on is Better Call Saul because Hulu doesn't carry AMC, so I have to wait for the latest season to come out on Netflix.

The biggest upside is being able to add/delete or cancel with the click of a button. I'm no longer having to play the yearly cancel game on the phone to keep the prices down.

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That is, until yesterday, when I spent a good chunk of the day signing up for and comparing both YouTube TV and Hulu Live TV. And man, am I disappointed. Nether Roku, Sling, nor Pluto TV offer all the channels/features I want, or seem very robust comparatively, so I ultimately narrowed my testing down to just YouTube TV and Hulu Plus Live TV. I'd heard only raves about YouTube TV, in particular, and while that's probably the one I'll end up going with, I'm kind of shocked so many people speak so highly of it. Hulu Live TV is slightly worse, IMO, though has a couple of minor advantages. So, for anyone in the same boat as me, here's what I've discovered, that I had no idea about previously...

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i was an avid fan of PS Vue till they dropped it late last year or early this year. cant remember. i liked it more than YTTV or Hulu.

i just couldn't handle paying the extra $20 for local stations with Hulu and YTTV, so i went sling and bought a wall mounted antennae for $30 for local channels.

i'm just not hard up for 1 channel that i wanted to pay the extra money. between D+/hulu/espn bundle, Netflix, Prime, Sling, Pluto, and OTA TV, we've been good. for just about $70 month combined.

but to your OP, i agree that while you can get things for cheaper these days, there are elements missing from DTV or Dish that make the current choices lacking. We wanted a la carte and we got it, but it's far from perfect.

Even with the price increase (glad to have Yellowstone but not much extra content with the new channels) I still think YTTV is the best value.

I really like the ease of the app, I can search and add a show or movie very quickly to record.

The 2018 7OT LSU game completely sold me on the YTTV dvr and recording capabilities. It handles live sports really well. PS Vue and Sling had buffering issues but very rarely has YTTV buffered for live sports.

I like it more than satellite and cable. Even with a few hang-ups.

Gigem314 said:

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Even with the price increase (glad to have Yellowstone but not much extra content with the new channels) I still think YTTV is the best value.

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paramount network is free.

Bunk Moreland said:

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Best part about YTTV is you can try it out for a month or 2 and not be tied down. I'd recommend it for minimum 30 days and truly give it the full time without judging. Then at the end ask yourself how affected your habits really were.

I only speak for myself but I was pleasantly surprised.

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Tried for 30 minutes to try Youtube on free basis. Too complicated - cancelled without getting anything !

I know you are different being in the entertainment business and everyone is different, but I've tried the various live streaming services over the years and have found that I never really watched live TV.

My setup
Hulu+ This lets me watch network content the next day for the most part without commercials. $13
Netflix - Gets me AMC shows eventually, without commercials (getting S4 of BCS), plus a lot of other content. T Mobile pays for most of this, I think I pay $3
MLB TV - Can see Astros games since I am out of market. T Mobile pays for this
Disney+ because I have a 6 year old, and it's a must. Probably saves me money by not buying all the DVDs $7
Amazon Prime This is just a bonus for the shipping side of Amazon, so I don't count this.
AppleTV+ free with iPhone purchase that I would have bought anyway. I wouldn't pay for that service however

I use a OTA antenna for local and broadcast TV. I get most of the football games I want to see with that. I don't get all the Aggie games, but if there is one I absolutely want to see, I have been known to use a dummy account to sign up for a free trial.

xfinity internet for 29.99, this is is a must for daily life working from home.

All in I'm at $53, but for streaming I'm at $23. That is just a long way around of saying, there is so much content out there that I don't need to see things live anymore.