The streaming TV landscape just got a major shakeup. YouTube TV recently dropped Disney channels, Hulu faces an uncertain future as Disney plans to phase out its app, and prices keep climbing past $80 monthly. But live TV isn't dead - it's just wearing new clothes. After three weeks of testing every major streaming service, the winners might surprise you.
Live TV streaming just hit a turning point. After a decade of cord-cutting promises, the market's consolidating around a handful of winners - and the price wars are over. Hulu Live TV and YouTube TV now both charge around $83-90 monthly, while DirecTV stretches past $95. That's not far from cable anymore.
But the real story isn't pricing - it's the channel wars reshaping your viewing options. YouTube TV made headlines by dropping Disney properties entirely, cutting ESPN, ABC, and Disney Channel from its lineup. Meanwhile, Disney announced plans to phase out the Hulu app completely, integrating everything into Disney+. The implications for Live TV remain murky.
These moves reflect deeper tensions between streaming platforms and content owners. "Half of the battle with live TV streaming services is even understanding what you're getting," according to WIRED's comprehensive testing. Channel lineups shift overnight based on renewal negotiations, leaving subscribers scrambling.
Hulu Live TV emerges as the current leader despite its clunky interface. The service bundles ESPN Unlimited, Disney+, and Hulu's on-demand library with 71 of the top 100 channels. That's hard value to beat, especially when Google's YouTube TV costs similar money but includes zero extras. The interface frustration is real - Hulu's app still fights with itself, cramming live TV into an already cluttered streaming platform.
YouTube TV would be the obvious winner if not for the Disney debacle. The app remains lightning-fast with unlimited DVR, and it covers local channels in most areas. But losing ESPN and ABC creates major gaps for sports fans and network TV viewers. Google says these channels "may come back," but that seems increasingly unlikely as Disney fortifies its streaming empire.
The budget option tells a different story. Sling TV built its entire business model around modular pricing, splitting core channels between Orange ($46) and Blue ($46) plans. The combined Orange & Blue package hits $61 monthly - about $30 less than competitors. But you're making trade-offs. Sling only includes NBC, ABC, and Fox (no CBS) for local channels, and you'll need expensive add-ons for secondary networks.
