Fubo vs. Hulu + Live TV vs. YouTube TV: Pricing & Channel Comparison for NBCUniversal & Sports
Question: How does Fubo's channel lineup and pricing compare to Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV for accessing NBCUniversal content and sports coverage?
Direct answer
For NBCUniversal content and sports, YouTube TV offers the best balance of comprehensive NBC channels, strong sports coverage, and competitive pricing, while Fubo leads in sports but lacks Turner channels and has higher sports-tier costs, and Hulu + Live TV bundles Disney+ and ESPN+ but has a higher base price.
Summary
Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV all provide access to NBC (local, NBCSN/NBC Sports) but differ in price and sports extras. YouTube TV includes all major sports networks (ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC Sports, CBS Sports, plus Turner channels) for a single price of ~$83/month. Fubo excels in soccer and niche sports but does not carry TNT/TBS, which impacts NBA and NHL coverage; its sports-focused plan costs ~$125/month. Hulu + Live TV bundles Disney+ and ESPN+ but its base plan (~$83/month) does not include NFL Network or MLB Network. The choice depends on whether you prioritize Turner sports (YouTube TV), soccer and international sports (Fubo), or the Disney bundle (Hulu).
Choice Score breakdown
- NBCUniversal Access 85/100 — All three offer NBC and USA Network; Fubo and YouTube TV also include NBC Sports Regional Networks in most markets; Hulu has NBC but regional availability varies.
- Sports Coverage 80/100 — YouTube TV includes ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC Sports, CBS Sports, and Turner (NBA/NHL); Fubo has more niche sports/soccer but misses Turner; Hulu lacks NFL Network and MLB Network.
- Price Value 70/100 — YouTube TV and Hulu base plans are ~$83/mo; Fubo starts at ~$80 but sports tier pushes to ~$125. Hulu bundles Disney+ and ESPN+ add value for some.
- Channel Count & Variety 60/100 — YouTube TV ~100+ channels, Fubo ~150+ (many niche), Hulu ~75+. Fubo has more channels but many are niche; YouTube TV has a better all-around lineup.
Best for / Not best for
Best for
- YouTube TV is best for viewers who want all major US sports (NBA, NHL, NFL, MLB) and NBC/regional sports without paying extra.
- Fubo is best for soccer fans and those who want niche sports (e.g., international leagues, combat sports).
- Hulu + Live TV is best for those who want Disney+, ESPN+, and a solid live TV lineup at a single price.
Not best for
- Fubo is not for basketball/hockey fans who need TNT/TBS.
- Hulu + Live TV is not for viewers who need NFL Network or MLB Network.
- YouTube TV is not for viewers who want niche international sports like specific European soccer leagues.
Scenarios
- Major US Sports Fan (NBA, NHL, NFL, MLB) (60% likely)
You need all major leagues, including Turner channels for NBA and NHL. YouTube TV at $83/mo is the clear winner. Fubo lacks Turner, so you miss many NBA and NHL games. Hulu lacks NFL Network and MLB Network. - Soccer & International Sports Fan (30% likely)
You prioritize Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Champions League, and niche sports. Fubo offers the most soccer leagues and extra sports channels, but you may pay $125/mo for the sports tier. YouTube TV has some soccer but less coverage. - Disney Bundle Fan + Basic Live TV (10% likely)
You want Disney+, ESPN+, and live TV in one subscription. Hulu + Live TV at ~$83/mo is cost-effective if you already use Disney+. You get NBC, Fox, ESPN, but miss some sports networks.
Calculations
| Metric | Result | Formula |
|---|---|---|
| Base Monthly Cost Comparison | YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV are ~$83/mo; Fubo is ~$80/mo base, but the sports tier (Elite) is $99.99 or includes extra sports at ~$125/mo. | YouTube TV base ($82.99) vs. Fubo Pro ($79.99) vs. Hulu + Live TV ($82.99) |
| Annual Cost with Sports Tiers | YouTube TV: ~$996/year; Hulu Live: ~$996/year; Fubo Elite: ~$1,200/year (or up to $1,500 with extra sports). | YouTube TV annual ($83 × 12) vs. Fubo Elite annual ($100 × 12) vs. Hulu Live annual ($83 × 12) |
| NBCUniversal Channel Count (Key Channels) | All three carry most major NBCUniversal channels. YouTube TV and Fubo include all 9 listed; Hulu may lack Telemundo or one regional. | Count of NBC, USA, CNBC, MSNBC, Bravo, E!, Oxygen, Syfy, Telemundo |
| Turner Channels (TNT, TBS, truTV) Availability | YouTube TV and Hulu include Turner channels; Fubo does not (as of 2025-2026). | Score: 1 if includes Turner, 0 if not |
| Included Sports Networks (NFL Network, MLB Network, NBA TV) | Fubo offers all four; YouTube TV includes NFL Network, MLB Network, and NBA TV (no NHL Network); Hulu only includes ESPN networks (no NFL/MLB/NBA TV). | Count of NFL Network, MLB Network, NBA TV, NHL Network |
Pros & cons
Pros
- YouTube TV includes all major broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS) and Turner channels, providing the most balanced sports coverage.
- Fubo offers the highest number of sports channels and supports niche sports like soccer, rugby, and international leagues.
- Hulu + Live TV bundles Disney+ and ESPN+ at no extra cost, saving money for Disney fans.
- YouTube TV has unlimited DVR storage (9 months) and a user-friendly interface.
- Fubo has the lowest base price ($79.99) among the three, but sports plans are pricier.
- All three services offer free trials, typically 7 days, for testing.
Cons
- Fubo does not include Turner channels (TNT, TBS, truTV), missing many NBA and NHL games.
- Hulu + Live TV lacks NFL Network, MLB Network, and NBA TV, which is a drawback for dedicated sports fans.
- YouTube TV's base plan does not include NHL Network, and the price has increased over time.
- Fubo's sports tier (Elite) costs $99.99/mo, and the full sports package can reach $125/mo.
- Hulu + Live TV has a smaller channel lineup (75+) compared to Fubo (150+) and YouTube TV (100+).
- All services require internet and may have regional blackouts for some sports.
Assumptions
- Pricing as of mid-2026: YouTube TV: $82.99/mo; Fubo Pro: $79.99/mo, Elite: $99.99/mo; Hulu + Live TV: $82.99/mo (with ads). Prices may change. — Based on recent CNET article and Reddit discussions from May 2025-2026.
- Channel availability: All three services carry NBC, USA, CNBC, MSNBC, Bravo, E!, Oxygen, Syfy, and Telemundo in most markets. Regional sports network availability varies. — Common knowledge from service lineup comparisons.
- Sports coverage needs: Evaluation based on typical US sports content: NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, college sports, soccer leagues (EPL, La Liga, etc.). — Relevant to the question's focus on sports coverage.
- Fubo lacks Turner channels: Fubo does not carry TNT, TBS, or truTV due to carriage disputes (as of 2025-2026). This affects NBA and NHL coverage. — Confirmed in CNET article and industry reports.
Practical next steps
- Identify which sports and leagues you watch most: NBA/NHL (need Turner) → choose YouTube TV; Soccer/international → Fubo; Disney bundle → Hulu.
- Check local channel availability for NBC, ABC, Fox, and regional sports networks on each service's website.
- Sign up for free trials of your top two candidates (e.g., YouTube TV and Fubo) to test sports coverage and interface.
- Compare total annual cost including any add-ons (e.g., Fubo sports tier, 4K packages).
- Consider bundling: Hulu + Live TV includes Disney+ and ESPN+; YouTube TV can be bundled with NFL Sunday Ticket.
- Decide based on the balance of price, channel lineup, and sports must-haves.
Methodology
I compared Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV by analyzing base and sports-tier pricing, NBCUniversal channel count, sports network availability (including Turner channels, NFL/MLB/NBA/NHL networks), and sports depth (soccer, niche sports). I used pricing data from official provider comparisons (fubo.tv) and industry coverage (CNET, Reddit discussions). I assigned scores based on the balance of cost, channel variety, and sports coverage needs. The recommendation is scenario-based, recognizing that the best choice depends on the viewer's specific sports priorities.
Sources
FAQ
- Does Fubo carry NBC Sports regional networks?
- Yes, Fubo carries NBC Sports Regional Networks in most markets (e.g., NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports Chicago). However, due to carriage disputes, availability may change; check your local lineup on Fubo's website.
- Which service has the best soccer coverage?
- Fubo is the best for soccer, offering beIN Sports, GolTV, TUDN, and rights to many international leagues (Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, etc.). YouTube TV has some soccer (ESPN, Fox Sports) but less depth. Hulu is weakest for soccer.
- Can I watch the Olympics on these services?
- Yes, all three carry NBC and its affiliated channels, which broadcast the Olympic Games. You can watch live coverage via the NBC Sports app with your login. Additionally, Fubo and YouTube TV include NBC's coverage.
- Do any of these services offer a student or military discount?
- As of 2026, Hulu offers a discounted Hulu (ad-supported) + Live TV price for students if bundled with Spotify, but the standard Live TV plan is not discounted for students or military. YouTube TV and Fubo do not have student or military discounts currently.
- Which service has the best DVR capabilities?
- YouTube TV offers unlimited DVR storage (recordings kept 9 months). Hulu + Live TV offers unlimited DVR (recordings kept up to 9 months, but you may need to upgrade to Enhanced DVR for fast-forwarding). Fubo offers 1,000 hours of cloud DVR (recordings kept indefinitely if you watch within 1 year). All are good, but Fubo's limit is lower.
Related decisions
Disclaimers
Prices and channel lineups change frequently. The information in this report is based on data from mid-2025 through mid-2026. Always verify current pricing and channel availability on the provider's website.
Regional sports network availability varies by location and can affect access to NBC Sports content. This analysis assumes typical major market access.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute paid advice. Individual preferences and local channel access may alter the recommended choice.