Sarah Tew / CNET
Live TV streaming services promise a Enjoy the cable cutter. They are usually cheaper than a cable TV subscription with similar channel coverage and do not have to sign a contract, so you can cancel at any time. Unfortunately, they also suffer from one of the biggest shortcomings of cable television: constant price increases. My previous favorite service and CNET’s Editors’ Choice, YouTube TV, just announced a 30% monthly increase from $ 50 to $ 65, which comes into force on July 31. During a normal year such a massive tip would be bad enough, but in the middle of one pandemicWith millions of Americans unemployed, it seems almost cruel.
Google, which owns YouTube TV, used the common statement today that “this new price reflects the rising cost of content.” YouTube TV earned my award by combining great features like an unlimited DVR with one excellent channel layout for the money. The price increase comes with a number of new ViacomCBS channels – BET, CMT, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, TV Land and VH1 are available now, while BET Her, MTV2, MTV Classic, Nick Jr., NickToons and TeenNick will be available later. (Editor’s note: CNET belongs to ViacomCBS.)
However, as the critical responses to YouTube TV’s tweets show, many subscribers don’t believe the new channels are worth the price hike. Personally, I like Comedy Central, but if I have a choice, I’d rather pay $ 50 a month and skip it. In short, YouTubeTV is not as much as it used to be.
Google is not the only one. Sport-oriented service FuboTV The defeat was torn from the jaws of victory when barely a week later a price jump to $ 60 was announced Finally add ABC and ESPN. FuboTV has never been the best or most recommended service in my book, and unfortunately this $ 5 price increase is simply a win.
I will update my reviews soon to reflect the price increases. In the meantime, I recommend YouTube TV and Fubo TV subscribers who no longer want to pay for live TV.
Jump ship to Sling TV or Hulu
If you still want to save money and stream live TV channels, there is hope in the form of two other services that I like: Sling TV and Hulu with Live TV. Here’s how they compare.
Sarah Tew / CNET
Sling TV is my current choice for editors. The company takes full advantage of the backlash against YouTube TV and announces a price guarantee for new and existing subscribers: the price will not go up for a whole year.
The Sling Blue package for $ 30 is currently the best deal on live television. Even the bundle with orange is not bad at $ 45. The Sling TV user interface isn’t as chic as that of YouTube TV or even Hulu, but Sling does offer at least many upgrade options for people who want to add more channels. The main disadvantage is the lack of local channels (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC) in most markets, which YouTube TV and Hulu offer.
To address this shortcoming, Sling will pass the AirTV 2 OTA tuner on to new users if you sign up for three months. If you connect an antenna, you can integrate local channel broadcasts into the Sling TV guide. Read our Sling TV test.
Sarah Tew / CNET
In terms of channel lineup, Hulu TV Plus Live TV YouTube TV is closer than any other for $ 10 less a month. Unlike Sling, you can use it to stream local channels, and the numerous other channels, including sports networks and special cable clips, that Sling TV lacks are top notch. In my review I thought it was great that the price also includes “regular” Hulu-On-Demand.
Hulu’s cloud DVR is nowhere near as good as YouTube TVs, mainly because you have to pay an additional $ 10 to skip advertising. And the user interface is not that simple – although a recent revision is helpful. And of course Disney, the parent company of Hulu, has not announced its own price freeze. In my opinion, it is not a question of whether Hulu increases the prices for live TV, but when. Read our Hulu With Live TV test.
Service comparison (after announced changes)
| Sling TV blue | Hulu with live TV | YouTube TV | FuboTV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $ 30 | $ 55 | $ 65 | $ 60 |
| Number of top 100 channels | 39 | 59 | 76 | 64 |
| ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC channels | No (Fox and NBC in selected markets) | Yes | Yes | CBS, Fox, and NBC Only (ABC Coming This Summer) |
| Cloud DVR | Yes (5 hours, $ 5 for 50 hours) | Yes (50 hours, 200 hours and commercial for $ 10 a month) | Yes (keep for 9 months) | Yes (30 hours, 500 hours for $ 10 a month |
How long can prices go up?
Price increases have been a key constant in the years since live TV streaming began. Until the services really start bleeding customers, this is a trend that is likely to continue.
As shown by services as shown AT&T TV or Xfinity FlexAt some point in the future, all of your “cable television” will be broadcast over an Internet line instead. It’s no longer about saving money – it’s exactly what you’ll do to get TV. The current live TV streaming is just a look at this future.
If you want to save money on cables, the answer is increasingly to not subscribe to any live TV streaming service at all. Get an antenna and a wireless DVR. There are also several free streaming services available, which gives you live TV (but little choice), including Roku Channel, Tubi TV and Crackle. As a supplement to basic hulu or Netflix these could serve quite well.
As a consumer, the choice is in our hands. At the moment, Sling TV is the best budget option (valid for at least 12 months) and Hulu Plus Live TV is the best step-up service. In addition, you can create the right on-demand streaming service bundle for you at any time – Hulu and HBO maxFor example – and complement this with a free TV streaming service and an antenna.