Cutting Cable TV in 2026: YouTube TV vs. Hulu + Live TV vs. DirecTV Stream vs. Sling vs. Fubo
You've decided to drop cable TV but you still want live local channels, your news, and your sports. That's what live TV streaming services are for. This is the plain English breakdown of what each one costs in 2026, what you get, and which one fits your household.
Disclosure: Household Advocate is an independent bill review service and is not affiliated with any internet, cable, or phone provider mentioned in this post. We do not receive compensation from any provider. Our only goal is to help you find savings.
First, an important distinction, because it trips a lot of people up. There are two completely different kinds of streaming:
- On-demand streaming (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Max) — shows and movies you watch whenever you want. We covered which of those to keep in a separate post.
- Live TV streaming (YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream, Sling, Fubo) — the live channels that replace your cable box. Local news, ESPN, CNN, live sports, all streaming over your internet.
This post is about the second kind — the services that take the place of your cable TV package. Here's how they stack up in 2026.
The Quick Comparison
| Service | Monthly Price | Channels | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV | $82.99 | 100+ | Most households — the all-arounder |
| Hulu + Live TV | $89.99 | 100+ | Disney+ and ESPN included |
| DirecTV Stream | $86.99+ | 90+ | Cable-style experience, regional sports |
| Fubo | $84.99+ | 200+ | Serious sports fans |
| Sling TV | $45.99+ | 30-50+ | Cutting cost, don't need all locals |
Prices are regular rates as of 2026 and don't include promotional discounts, which most services offer to new customers. Remember: all of these require a home internet connection, so factor that into your total.
YouTube TV — The All-Arounder ($82.99/month)
For most households, YouTube TV is the default recommendation. It carries the Philadelphia local channels (6abc, CBS3, NBC10, FOX29, PBS), all the major cable networks, ESPN, and the news channels — over 100 in total.
Its standout feature is unlimited DVR storage (recordings kept for nine months), which none of the others match. The interface is clean and it works on every device.
New in 2026: YouTube TV launched cheaper genre-based plans for people who don't need all 100+ channels:
- Entertainment Plan — $54.99/month (drama, lifestyle, comedy — no live sports)
- Sports Plan — $64.99/month (all the ESPNs, FS1, broadcast networks)
- Sports + News Plan — $71.99/month
If you watch a specific slice of TV, those tiers can save you $10-30 a month over the base plan.
Best for: the household that wants one service to replace cable and not think about it.
Hulu + Live TV — Two Services in One ($89.99/month)
Hulu + Live TV is priced higher, but the number is a little deceiving: it now includes Disney+ and ESPN bundled in. So if you were already paying for those separately, the real cost is lower than it looks.
You get 100+ live channels plus Hulu's enormous on-demand library. For a family that wants live TV and a deep catalog of shows and movies in one bill, it's strong value.
Best for: families who'd be paying for Disney+ and Hulu anyway.
DirecTV Stream — The Most Cable-Like ($86.99+/month)
DirecTV Stream feels the most like traditional cable — the channel guide, the layout, the heavy lineup. Its base Entertainment plan starts at $86.99, and it climbs from there (Choice and Ultimate plans run $94.99-$124.99).
Its real advantage is regional sports networks — important if you want to watch the Phillies, Sixers, or Flyers, which the cheaper services often don't carry. Note that regional sports can add a fee on top of the base price.
DirecTV also offers cheaper genre packs (MyEntertainment at $34.99, MySports at $69.99) if you want a narrower lineup.
Best for: former cable customers who want the familiar experience and regional sports.
Fubo — Built for Sports Fans ($84.99+/month)
Fubo started as a sports-first service and it shows — 200+ channels with deep sports coverage and lots of 4K. The Pro plan is $84.99, Elite is $94.99.
The catch for some: Fubo lacks the Warner-owned channels (TNT, TBS), which carry a chunk of NBA and MLB playoff coverage. And like DirecTV, regional sports fees can add to the bill.
Best for: households where live sports is the whole point.
Sling TV — The Budget Option ($45.99+/month)
Sling is the cheapest way into live cable channels. It splits into two packages:
- Sling Orange ($45.99) — ESPN and Disney-family channels
- Sling Blue ($45.99) — FOX, NBC, and news/entertainment channels
- Orange + Blue ($60.99) — both combined
The trade-off: limited local channel coverage. Sling carries locals only in select markets, and its channel count is lower across the board. But here's the smart move — pair Sling with a free over-the-air antenna (see our antenna guide) and you get your local channels for free plus Sling's cable channels for $45. That combination is one of the cheapest real cable replacements available.
Best for: cost-cutters who'll add an antenna for locals.
Which One Should You Pick?
| If you want... | Choose |
|---|---|
| One service that just replaces cable | YouTube TV |
| Disney+ and ESPN included | Hulu + Live TV |
| Regional sports (Phillies/Sixers/Flyers) and a cable feel | DirecTV Stream |
| Maximum live sports | Fubo |
| The lowest price (and you'll add an antenna) | Sling TV |
The One Thing Everyone Forgets
Every one of these runs over your home internet — so you still need a solid internet plan. The good news: dropping your cable TV package and keeping internet-only often saves $50-80 a month even after you add a streaming service. And if you buy your own modem and add an antenna for locals, the savings stack even higher.
The mistake people make is signing up for the most expensive service ($90/month) when a $45 Sling-plus-antenna setup would have covered everything they actually watch.
Not Sure Which Setup Fits Your Household?
The honest answer depends on what you watch, which teams you follow, and what's available at your address. That's exactly what Household Advocate sorts out for you. We review your current TV and internet bills, look at what you actually watch, and give you a plain English recommendation — which service, which plan, and how to set it up — so you replace cable without overpaying for channels you'll never turn on.
