DIRECTV vs Hulu + Live TV: Every Plan Compared
By The Spool Editors · Published June 16, 2026 · Updated June 16, 2026
DIRECTV and Hulu + Live TV both sit around $83 for a full live lineup, but they chase different buyers. Hulu wraps live TV around a streaming library and the Disney bundle. DIRECTV is a truer cable replacement with deeper sports. Here is every plan, side by side.
At a Glance
| DIRECTV | Hulu + Live TV | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $59.99/mo | $82.99/mo |
| Most channels | 185+ | 90+ |
| Streams at once | 20 | 2 |
| Local channels | ✓ | ✓ |
| Regional sports free | ✗ | ✗ |
| Unlimited DVR | ✓ | ✓ |
| Disney+ & ESPN+ included | ✗ | ✓ |
| Cheap mini plans | ✓ | ✗ |
| Free trial | ✓ | ✓ |
Which One Is Right for You
The Plans That Actually Compete
DIRECTV sells tiers and genre packs; Hulu + Live TV sells one base plan plus add-ons. Here is every plan on each side, with what it really costs.
DIRECTV
Hulu + Live TV
Price Breakdown & Hike History
DIRECTV starts at $59.99/mo and Hulu + Live TV at $82.99/mo, but the sticker price is the trap. With DIRECTV, the regional sports fee can add up to $19.99 on the Choice tier and up. With Hulu + Live TV, the base price is flat but extras stack on top.
DIRECTV: DIRECTV is raising its genre packs on June 25, 2026, with MyEntertainment going from $35 to $43 a month.
Hulu + Live TV: Hulu + Live TV has climbed from $39.99 at launch in 2017 to $82.99 in 2026.
Channel Lineups Head-to-Head
Hulu + Live TV runs one lineup of 90+ channels with locals and RSNs folded in where they exist. DIRECTV scales from a 90+ channel base up to 185+ on Premier, so the channel count depends entirely on which tier you buy. For most households the question isn't the raw number, it's whether your specific channels are in the plan, which is what the next section is for.
Your Local Channels & Your Team's RSN
This is where the decision usually gets made. Both services carry local stations in most markets, but coverage and regional sports vary city by city and team by team.
- Check exactly which service carries your city's ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox with our local channels guide.
- See whether your team's games are on a regional sports network, and who carries it, in our sports streaming guides.
The Features That Decide It
| Feature | DIRECTV | Hulu + Live TV |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $59.99/mo | $82.99/mo |
| Free trial | 5 days | Occasional (3 days) |
| Cloud DVR | Unlimited Cloud DVR | Unlimited Cloud DVR |
| Simultaneous streams | 20 at home, 3 on the go | 2 (unlimited home add-on) |
| Accounts / profiles | Multiple profiles | 6 profiles |
| 4K | Limited 4K via Sports Pack add-on | Limited 4K |
| Regional sports (RSNs) | Extra fee (up to $19.99) on Choice, Ultimate, Premier | Limited regional sports |
| Local channels | Included where available | Included in most markets |
Add-Ons & Hidden Costs
DIRECTV add-ons: Max, Paramount+, STARZ, AMC+, Discovery+, Hallmark+, Peacock, NBA League Pass, DirecTV Sports Pack, and International packs. The big hidden cost is the RSN fee on Choice and up.
Hulu + Live TV add-ons: Max, Paramount+ with Showtime, STARZ, Cinemax, Unlimited Screens, and Spanish add-on. The hidden cost here is that 4K, extra Spanish channels and more sports each cost extra on top of the base plan.
How to Try Each One Free
DIRECTV runs a 5 days free trial fairly consistently. Hulu + Live TV offers one occasional (3 days). With either, the move is the same: start the trial, watch what you need, and cancel before the first charge. For one-off live events, that trial window is often all you need.
The Cheapest Way to Get What You Want
Work backward from your must-haves. If you only need entertainment and news, DIRECTV Entertainment at $59.99 undercuts everything. If you need regional sports, compare DIRECTV Choice plus its RSN fee against Hulu + Live TV's flat $82.99, and the gap narrows fast. If you want simple and done, Hulu + Live TV's single plan is the least to think about.
DIRECTV vs Hulu + Live TV FAQ
- Is DIRECTV or Hulu + Live TV cheaper?
- DIRECTV's Entertainment tier is cheaper at $59.99, but it has no regional sports. At a matching channel level the two land around the same $83, and Hulu includes Disney+ and ESPN+ in that price.
- Does Hulu + Live TV include Disney+ and ESPN+?
- Yes. Every Hulu + Live TV plan bundles Disney+ and ESPN+ along with the full Hulu on-demand library, which is the single biggest reason to pick it.
- Which has more live channels?
- DIRECTV, at the top end, climbing to 185+ on Premier versus Hulu's 90+. But Hulu's lineup covers what most households watch, plus the streaming bundle.
- Which is better for regional sports?
- DIRECTV. It carries more regional sports networks than Hulu, which only offers them in some markets. If your team is on an RSN, check coverage before you choose.
DIRECTV vs Hulu + Live TV: The Verdict
These two land at almost the same price, so it comes down to what's bundled. Hulu + Live TV is $82.99 and throws in Disney+, ESPN+ and the full Hulu library, which is unbeatable if you want on-demand and live in one bill. DIRECTV starts cheaper at $59.99 and goes deeper on regional sports, but the RSN fee and the climb up its tiers close the gap fast. Pick Hulu if you want streaming and live TV in a single package. Pick DIRECTV if regional sports or sheer channel count matter more than the Disney bundle.
Last updated: June 16, 2026