Sarah Tew / CNET
Live TV streaming services promises a lace cutter delight. They are generally cheaper than a cable TV subscription with similar channel lineups, and you don’t need to sign a contract, so you can cancel at any time. Unfortunately, they also suffer from one of the main shortcomings of cable television: constant price increases. My old favorite service and CNET’s Editor’s Choice, YouTube TV, I just announced a 30% monthly increase, from $ 50 to $ 65, which takes effect on July 31. During a normal year such a massive peak would be pretty bad, but in the midst of a pandemicWith millions of Americans out of a job, it seems almost cruel.
Google, the owner of YouTube TV, used the standard explanation that “this new price reflects the increased cost of content.” YouTube TV earned me praise by combining great features like an unlimited DVR with a excellent channel alignment for the money. The price increase comes with a raft of new channels of ViacomCBS – BET, CMT, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, TV Land, and VH1 are available now, while BET Her, MTV2, MTV Classic, Nick Jr., NickToons, and TeenNick will be coming later. (Editor’s note: CNET is owned by ViacomCBS).
However, as vitriolic responses to YouTube TV tweets demonstrate, many subscribers don’t think the new channels are worth raising prices. Personally, I like Comedy Central, but given the option, I’d rather pay $ 50 a month and skip it. In short, YouTubeTV is no longer the big business it once was.
See this:
Ranking 101 streaming services in the US
13:05
Google is not alone. Service focused on sport FuboTV he snatched defeat from the jaws of victory by announcing his own price jump to $ 60 just a week later finally adding ABC and ESPN. FuboTV has never been the best or most recommended service in my book, and sadly this $ 5 price increase simply confirms it.
I’ll update my comments soon to reflect price increases, but in the meantime, here is my advice right now for YouTube TV and Fubo TV subscribers who don’t want to pay more for live TV.
Jump to Sling TV or Hulu
If you want to continue saving money and broadcasting live TV channels, there is hope in the form of two other services that I like: Sling TV and Hulu with Live TV. This is how they compare.
Sarah Tew / CNET
Sling TV is my other current publisher pick and the company is making the most of the backlash against YouTube TV, announcing a price guarantee to new and existing subscribers – the price will not go up for a full year.
The $ 30 Sling Blue package is the best deal on live TV right now. Even the Orange bundle isn’t as bad at $ 45. The Sling TV interface isn’t as fancy as YouTube TV or even Hulu, but Sling at least offers plenty of upgrade options for people looking to add more channels. The main drawback is the lack of local channels (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC) in most markets, something YouTube TV and Hulu offer.
To address that shortfall, Sling is giving away the AirTV 2 OTA tuner to new users if it registers for three months, allowing integration of local channel broadcasts into the Sling TV guide if you connect an antenna. Read our Sling TV review.
Sarah Tew / CNET
In terms of channel lineup, Hulu TV Plus Live TV comes closer to YouTube TV than any other, for $ 10 less per month. Unlike Sling, it allows you to stream local channels, and its variety of other channels, including sports networks and special cable staples missing from Sling TV, is top-notch. In my opinion, I loved that the price also includes Hulu “on demand” on demand.
Hulu’s Cloud DVR isn’t as good as YouTube TVs, especially since you’ll have to pay an additional $ 10 to skip commercials. And the interface is not that simple, although a recent renovation helps. And, of course, Disney, Hulu’s parent company, hasn’t announced its own price freeze. In my opinion, it’s not about when Hulu will raise live TV prices, but when. Read our Hulu With Live TV review.
Service comparison (after announced changes)
|
Sling TV Blue |
Hulu with live TV |
YouTube TV |
FuboTV |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Monthly price |
$ 30 |
$ 55 |
$ 65 |
$ 60 |
|
Top 100 channels number |
39 |
59 |
76 |
64 |
|
ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC channels |
No (Fox and NBC in select markets) |
yes |
yes |
Only CBS, Fox and NBC (ABC will arrive this summer) |
|
DVR in the cloud |
Yes (5 hours, $ 5 for 50 hours) |
Yes (50 hours, 200 hours and commercial breaks for $ 10 a month) |
Yes (keep for 9 months) |
Yes (30 hours, 500 hours for $ 10 a month |
How long can prices continue to rise?
In the years since the live TV broadcast began, price increases have been one of the main constants. Until services really start bleeding customers, this trend is likely to continue.
As evidenced by services like AT&T TV or Xfinity FlexAt some point in the future, all of your “cable” televisions will fall down an Internet pipeline. It will no longer be a matter of saving money, it is just what you will do to get television. Live TV broadcasting, as it is now, is just a glimpse into this future.
If you want to save money on cable, the answer is increasingly not subscribing to a live TV streaming service. Get yourself an antenna and a DVR over the air. In addition there are several free streaming services available that will give you some live TV (but little choice), including Roku Channel, Tubi TV, and Crackle. As a complement to Basic hulu or Netflix These could serve quite well.
As consumers, the choice is in our hands. At the moment, Sling TV is the best budget option (valid for at least 12 months), and Hulu Plus Live TV is the best upgrade service. Beyond that, you can always create the streaming service package on demand for you: Hulu and HBO MaxFor example, and complement that with a free TV streaming service and antenna.
