When choosing a Live TV streaming service, there are a lot of factors to keep track of. Beyond pricing and channel availability, you also need to think about picture quality, ease of use and on-demand content. And that’s just the start. With so many aspects to consider, making the best decision can be challenging.
This article comparing DIRECTV and Hulu + Live TV will help you confidently choose the best TV streaming service for your needs.
Let’s get started.
DIRECTV vs. Hulu + Live TV Comparison
Keep reading to see how DIRECTV packages matchup against Hulu + Live TV plans across a variety of categories. Or skip around to the factors that are most important to you!
- Ways to Connect
- Package Options & Pricing
- Channel Availability
- Premium Channels & Add Ons
- Entertainment Experience
Ways to Connect
First and foremost, you want a live TV provider that lets you connect the way you want. But what does that really mean? When signing up with DIRECTV, you have a choice of whether you want to get service via satellite or via internet.
Depending on your home’s location, access to quality internet and a variety of other factors, one option may be better than the other. For a streaming service like Hulu, however, the only way to get access is through your existing internet connection.
Related Resource: How to Watch DIRECTV
This article will focus on DIRECTV plans and packages associated with DIRECTV via internet contracts. For more information on DIRECTV with a satellite, check out the related resource above.
Package Options & Pricing
Once you know how you want to connect, another of the key factors to consider is the package options and pricing. See how DIRECTV and Hulu + Live TV compare below.
DIRECTV has four base packages to choose from (ENTERTAINMENT, CHOICE™, ULTIMATE and PREMIER) with several different ways to customize your experience, plus one Spanish-language plan. Hulu + Live TV, on the other hand, has fewer options, with two base plans and no Spanish-specific package.
Here we will compare the two most popular DIRECTV tiers against Hulu + Live TV.
|
Package |
ENTERTAINMENT via Internet |
CHOICE™ via Internet |
Hulu + Live TV Base Plan |
|
Price |
$74.99/mo.* for 24 months + taxes & fees ($89.99/mo. total w/ req’d $15/mo. ARS fee) w/24-mo. agreement |
$79.99/mo.* for 24 months + taxes & fees ($112.98/mo. w/ req’d $15/mo. ARS fee & Regional Sports Fee of $17.99/mo.) w/24-mo. agreement
|
$76.99/mo. |
|
Intro Offer |
3-months included**: Max, SHOWTIME, STARZ, MGM+, Cinemax*** |
$10 off for 24 months 3-months included**: Max, SHOWTIME, STARZ, MGM+, Cinemax*** |
3-day free trial Includes: Hulu w/ ads, Disney+ w/ ads, ESPN+ w/ ads |
|
Package Specs |
90+ channels Local channels included, where available Unlimited Cloud DVR recording |
125+ channels Local channels included, where available Regional & Specialty sports networks Unlimited Cloud DVR recording |
95+ channels Local channels Specialty sports networks Unlimited cloud DVR |
*Pricing as of July 2024; offers subject to change at any time
**Must select offers. Max, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, STARZ, MGM+ and Cinemax are included for first 3 months and auto-renew monthly thereafter at then-prevailing rates (currently $15.99/mo. for Max, $11.99/mo. for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, $10.99/mo. each for STARZ and Cinemax, and $5.99/mo. for MGM+), unless cancelled. See [insert location] for details.
***Access Max only through Max app or max.com. Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscription includes access to the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME streaming plan, available via the Paramount+ app or paramountplus.com/link. Online account registration may be required. Offer not available to DIRECTV and U-verse TV customers switching to DIRECTV via Internet. Cancel online or by phone. Offer subj. to change.
For more information into all four DIRECTV packages, check this out!
While Hulu doesn’t have a full-fledged Spanish-language package, they do have a Spanish-language add-on, of which DIRECTV has two for internet-connected customers. Here’s a look at them side by side.
| DIRECTV ÓPTIMO MÁS™ | DIRECTV DEPORTES |
DIRECTV EN ESPAÑOL
|
Español Hulu | |
| Type | Base package | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on |
| Cost |
$74.99/mo. for 24 months + taxes & fees ($89.99/mo. w/req’d $15/mo. ARS fee) w/ 24-mo. agmt. |
$4.99/mo. + tax | $14.99/mo. + tax | $4.99/mo. |
| Number of Channels | Up to 80+ Spanish channels; 125+ English channels | 5 | 60+ | 9 |
| Package Highlights | Local channels included, where available Sports Channels: FS1, FS2, ESPN, FOX Deportes, ESPN Deportes, etc. Entertainment Channels: A&E, Food Network, Discovery, E!, History en Espanol, etc. News Channels: CNN/CNN International, Telemundo, Univision, etc. |
ESPN Deportes FOX Deportes GolTV TUDN TYC Sports |
Everything included in DEPORTES, MÉXICO PLUS, AMÉRICAS PLUS & more! | CNN en Español Discovery en Español Discovery Familia ESPN Deportes FOX Deportes History Channel en Español Hogar de HGTV NBC Universo The Weather Channel en Español |
Channel Availability
In the Packages & Pricing section we went over the number of channels available and the monthly costs for both DIRECTV and Hulu + Live TV. But it’s also important to look at the individual channels to ensure the streaming service you choose has the channels you’re interested in.
Get an overview of both providers’ channel availability here.
| Package | ENTERTAINMENT | CHOICE™ | HULU + LIVE TV Base Plan |
| Number of Channels | 90+ | 125+ | 95+ |
| Popular Channels |
ESPN ESPN 2 FX Disney Channel CNN HGTV FOX News |
Featured ENTERTAINMENT Channels +
MLB NETWORK NBA TV NFL Network Cooking Channel Bally Sports NBC Sports |
ESPN ESPN 2 FX Disney Channel CNN HGTV FOX News NFL Network NBC Sports |
| Local Channels | Yes, where available (including PBS) | Yes, where available (including PBS) | Yes, where available |
| Local Regional Sports Networks | No |
Yes* *Not all RSNs avail in all areas. Limited by zip code |
Limited availability (7) |
| Regional Sports Networks | Yes, 30+ channels w/ Sports Pack for $14.99/mo. + taxes & fees | Yes, 30+ channels w/ Sports Pack for $14.99/mo. + taxes & fees | Limited Availability |
There are a few key channels Hulu + Live TV doesn’t have that are available on DIRECTV. So, if you’re looking to watch any of these, DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT or CHOICE™ TV packages will be your best bet. These are:
- AccuWeather
- AMC
- AXS TV
- BBC America
- BBC World News*
- CLEO TV
- CNBC World*
- Cooking Channel*
- Fuse*
- Great American Family*
- IFC
- MLB Network*
- NBA TV*
- NHL Network
- Sundance TV
- Tastemade
- Tennis Channel
- WE TV
- Newsmax
*Requires the CHOICE™ Package
For a full list of DIRECTV channels, check out the Channel Lineup!
Regional Sports Networks Comparison
As mentioned above, DIRECTV provides customers 30+ in market regional sports networks (RSNs), while Hulu + Live TV only has a handful. The table below compares regional networks:
|
DIRECTV RSNs Available with PREMIER package and DIRECTV Sports Pack Add-on |
Hulu + Live TV RSNs |
| Altitude Sports | |
| FanDuel Sports Network Cincinnati | |
| FanDuel Sports Network Detroit | |
| FanDuel Sports Network Florida | |
| FanDuel Sports Network Great Lakes | |
| FanDuel Sports Network Midwest | |
| FanDuel Sports Network North | |
| FanDuel Sports Network Ohio | |
| FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma | |
| FanDuel Sports Network SoCal | |
| FanDuel Sports Network Southeast | |
| FanDuel Sports Network South | |
| FanDuel Sports Network Southwest | |
| FanDuel Sports Network Sun | |
| FanDuel Sports Network West | |
| FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin | |
| Madison Square Garden | |
| Marquee Sports Network | |
| Mid Atlantic Sports Net | |
| Monumental Sports Network | |
| MSG Sportsnet | |
| NBC Sports Bay Area Plus | NBC Sports Bay Area Plus |
| NBC Sports Boston | NBC Sports Boston |
| NBC Sports California | NBC Sports California |
| NBC Sports Chicago | NBC Sports Chicago |
| NBC Sports Philadelphia | |
| NBC Sports Washington | |
| NESN+ | |
| ROOT Sports Northwest | |
| Space City Home Network | |
| Spectrum SportsNet | |
| Spectrum SportsNet LA | |
| SNY | SNY |
| SportsNet Pittsburgh | |
| YES Network |
Premium Channels & Add-Ons
Depending on your needs, there are countless premium channels for entertainment and sports you may be interested in. Let’s look at how premium channels compare between DIRECTV and Hulu + Live TV.
Entertainment Add-Ons
When it comes to specialty channels, there are some live TV providers that are better than others. Check out Hulu + Live TV’s Entertainment Add-ons here:
These are networks that customers can add to their base TV package for an extra cost.
| Channel | DIRECTV | HULU + LIVE TV |
| Max | 3 months included then $15.99/mo. | $16.99/mo. |
| PARAMOUNT+ WITH SHOWTIME | 3 months included then $11.99/mo. | 7-day free trial then $12.99/mo. |
| STARZ | 3 months included $10.99/mo. | 7-day free trial then $9.99/mo. |
| MGM+ | 3 months included then $5.99/mo. | Not available |
| Cinemax | 3 months included then $10.99/mo. | 7-day free trial then $9.99/mo. |
| AMC+ includes access to Shudder, Sundance Now, IFC Films Unlimited |
$8.99/mo. + tax & $2 off monthly DIRECTV bill | Not available |
| discovery+ includes HGTV, Food Network, TLC, ID, Animal Planet, Discovery Channel |
$4.99/mo. + tax & $2 off monthly DIRECTV bill | Not available |
| ALLBLK | $5.99/mo. + tax | Not available |
| ACORN TV | $7.99/mo. + tax | Not available |
| FOX Nation | $5.99/mo. + tax | Not available |
| History Vault | $4.99/mo. + tax | Not available |
| Movies Extra Pack Includes: Crime+Investigation; Hallmark Drama; Hallmark Movies & Mysteries; HDNet Movies; INSP HD; MTV Live; ShortsTV; Smithsonian Channel; Sony Movies |
$4.99/mo. +tax | Not available |
| Lifetime Movie Club* | $4.99/mo. + tax | Not available |
| Peacock* | $4.99/mo. + tax | Not available |
| A&E Crime Central* | $4.99/mo. + tax | Not available |
| Hallmark Movies Now* | $5.99/mo. + tax | Not available |
| UP Faith & Family* | $5.99/mo. + tax | Not available |
*May only be accessed on internet-connected HD DVR/Gemini and the DIRECTV app. Subscription not valid for streaming using the provider app or website.
While Hulu + Live TV has far fewer premium add-ons compared to DIRECTV, the platform does have an Entertainment Add-on that provides customers with some additional channels, for an extra $7.99/mo., which includes the following channels:
- American Heroes Channel
- BET Her
- Boomerang Channel
- CNBC World
- Cooking Channel
- Crime + Investigation
- Destination America
- Discovery Family
- Discovery Life
- Hallmark Drama
- Nicktoons
- MTV2
- MTV Classic
- Science
- TeenNick
Premium Sports Channels
For sports fans, it’s important to have access to most networks so you can watch the most games. But these days, with broadcast rights for sports spanning networks and streaming services, it can be difficult.
Let’s look at the different sports packages available to customers for DIRECTV and Hulu + Live TV.
| DIRECTV Sports Pack | Hulu + Live TV Sports Plus Bundle | |
| Cost | $14.99/mo. + tax | $9.99/mo. + tax |
| Number of Channels | 22 additional channels for ENTERTAINMENT customers); 12 additional channels for CHOICE™ customers | 8 channels |
| Channel List |
ACC Network; Big Ten Network; CBS Sports Network; ESPNEWS; ESPNU; FanDuel TV; FOX Sports 2; Golf Channel; MLB Network; MLB Strike Zone; NBA TV; Next Level Sports; NFL Network; NFL RedZone; NHL Network; Outdoor Channel; SEC Network; Sportsman Channel; Tennis Channel; TUDN; Willow HD; Willow Xtra &… 30+ Regional Sports Networks (also included in PREMIER package) |
FanDuel TV; FanDuel Racing; MAVTV; MLB Strike Zone; NFL RedZone; Sportsman Channel; Outdoor Channel; Tennis Channel*
ACC Network, Big Ten Network, SEC Network included in base package |
Additional Sports Add-Ons
Depending on the sports you watch, either of these add-on packages could work. But for fans of specific sports, you’ll have to be careful to make sure the provider has what you need to watch your teams live.
DIRECTV is a better option for fans of the following sports:
- Hockey (NHL)
- Baseball (MLB)
- Basketball (NBA)
- Cricket
For NHL coverage, DIRECTV offers internet-connected customers NHL Network. MLB is covered too, with MLB Network®.
DIRECTV also allows customers to purchase premium sports add-ons like NBA League Pass. Plus, DIRECTV is one of the few providers with access to Willow TV, the exclusive cricket broadcast network in the US.
Entertainment Experience
You deserve a relaxing, uncomplicated entertainment experience, where you get the best content of the highest quality in a way that works best for you. Below are some considerations to think about before choosing a live TV service.
Content Aggregation
With so many disparate entertainment apps and networks these days, it can be difficult to stay organized. DIRECTV gives customers the opportunity to house all their video streaming services on the DIRECTV interface, so you never have to switch inputs again.
This is not the case for Hulu + Live TV, making it an important factor to consider when choosing a streaming option.
*Req’s separate paid subscriptions for 3rd party apps. Internet-connected Gemini device required.
Picture Quality & 4K Content
DIRECTV provides exclusively 4K Ultra HD channels to internet or stream customers for watching TV series, movies, live sports and more for no additional cost to customers*. The following three channels are always playing great content in the best quality.
- 104 (DTV4K) – 24/7 channel featuring shows, original series and documentaries
- 105 (LIVE4K) – occasional live sporting events
- 106 (LIVE4K2) – occasional live sporting events
Hulu + Live TV also has a limited selection of content in 4K, which can be distinguished by a 4K badge on the screen.
*4K TV required
Simultaneous Streams
Within the home, DIRECTV allows for unlimited devices to stream at the same time. Out of the home, three devices are permitted for use at the same time**.
For Hulu + Live TV, two simultaneous streams are permitted. Customers that purchase the Unlimited Screens Add-on for $9.99/mo. can stream on as many devices connected to your home network as you’d like. Outside the home, customers can stream on up to three devices.
DIRECTV comes out on top here, as there is no additional fee to be able to have unlimited streams at home, as there is with Hulu + Live TV.
**Minimum internet speed of 8Mbps per stream recommended for optimal viewing. All DIRECTV streams must be on the same home network and a compatible router is required. Certain channels are excluded. Limit 3 concurrent out-of-home DIRECTV streams. Restrictions apply. See directv.com/unlimitedstreams for details.
Compare DIRECTV with Hulu + Live TV
With all the information above, you should be able to make a smart choice about the live TV provider that’s right for you. If you’re also looking to compare DIRECTV to other competitors, we’ve got you covered there, too!
Check out our DIRECTV vs. the Competition to find out what other competitors DIRECTV beats out.
Or, if you’re ready to start watching, sign up today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors should I consider when choosing a live TV provider?
When choosing the best live TV provider for you, it's necessary to consider channel availability, pricing, introduction offers, flexibility & more.
How do DIRECTV and Hulu + Live TV compare?
While both DIRECTV and Hulu + Live TV provide customers with the top live channels, there are a few key differences when it comes to sports availability, premium add-ons and package flexibility.
Does DIRECTV or Hulu + Live TV have more Regional Sports Networks?
DIRECTV has 30+ out-of-market RSNs available for customers with DIRECTV Sports Pack or the PREMIER package. Hulu + Live TV only carries 7 regional sports channels.
DIRECTV Insider brings you our views on what’s happening in streaming, t.v., movies and sports. Companies and persons mentioned are not necessarily associated with and do not necessarily endorse DIRECTV. We will disclose sponsored content on our site when we show it to you, and some of the links on the site may be ads or affiliate links which means DIRECTV may earn compensation from your purchases.
