Top YouTube TV Alternatives: In this article, I’ll explore the best YouTube TV alternatives for streaming live TV channels across various categories like sports, news, kids’ shows, movies, and more. I’ll cover both paid and free options for you to consider. Let’s dive in.
Best YouTube TV Alternatives 2025
From time to time, YouTube TV removes popular channels from its lineup, and in response, they offer discounts on monthly subscriptions as compensation. However, that doesn’t always help when your favorite channels like NBC or Disney are suddenly gone, especially if they were the primary reason you subscribed in the first place. Fortunately, YouTube TV isn’t the only option for watching live TV and sports without a cable subscription. Based on your specific needs, you can easily find an alternative from the list below.
Why Should You Consider YouTube TV Alternatives?
The need for YouTube TV alternatives became apparent after a series of ongoing issues. The trouble began in September when NBC threatened to remove its channels from YouTube TV, although a last-minute deal was struck to keep them on the platform. Things took another turn when Disney decided to pull all its channels from YouTube TV, only to have Google restore them within 24 hours after a brief standoff.
As a consumer, this kind of unpredictability can be frustrating. You signed up for a service that promised over 85 channels, only to have your favorite ones disappear at a moment’s notice due to disagreements between YouTube and the content providers. This inconsistency can leave you feeling uncertain about the future of your subscription.
Moreover, YouTube TV isn’t exactly a budget option, with its $72.99 monthly fee. For this price, you’d expect a reliable and stable service, but these frequent disputes could make you think twice about staying with them.
Why Did NBC and Disney Dispute with YouTube TV?
The core issue between NBC, Disney, and YouTube TV revolves around money. Both NBC and Disney believe that YouTube TV should pay more during their contract renewals, while YouTube TV is pushing for the terms to remain the same. NBC and Disney understand the massive reach Google has and how aggressively YouTube TV is marketed in the U.S. With millions of subscribers, they don’t want to miss out on that potential revenue.
On the flip side, YouTube TV cannot afford to lose these channels. If NBC or Disney pulls their content, it could lead to a wave of cancellations, hurting the company’s growth prospects.
Imagine the chaos if YouTube TV loses ESPN right before a popular Monday Night Football game or NBC removes its channels right before the Super Bowl. That would undoubtedly upset millions of subscribers. As a cord-cutter, you don’t have to deal with this drama. Instead, you can explore the alternatives listed below.
Best YouTube TV Alternatives
Let’s begin with YouTube TV’s biggest competitor: Hulu.
1 Hulu: Hulu stands out as one of the top YouTube TV alternatives. The Disney-owned service provides over 75 live TV channels, an ESPN+ addon, and more.
- Live TV channels: 75+ channels in the top-tier plan
- Movies & TV shows: Yes, with on-demand content via the Disney+ addon
- Price: $72.99 per month
- Free Trial: 7 days
- DVR storage: 50 hours, with an option to upgrade to unlimited DVR
- Simultaneous streams: 2, or unlimited for $9.99/month
Even YouTube TV recognizes Hulu as its main competitor, which is why it’s often directly compared to Hulu on YouTube TV’s homepage.
2 FuboTV: fuboTV surpasses YouTube TV by offering over 220 live TV channels. Like YouTube TV, fuboTV supports a wide range of devices, including Android, iOS, FireStick, Android TV, and Apple TV.
- Live TV channels: 220+ channels (depending on your location)
- Movies & TV shows: Limited on-demand content
- Price: Starts at $64.99 per month
- Free Trial: 7 days
- DVR storage: 250 hours with the Starter plan, 1000 hours with the Pro/Elite plans
- Simultaneous streams: 3 with the Starter plan, 10 with Pro/Elite plans
3 Sling TV: If YouTube TV’s high subscription costs are a concern, Sling TV offers a more budget-friendly option.
- Live TV channels: 35 channels with the Sling Blue/Sling Orange plan, 51 with the top plan
- Movies & TV shows: No on-demand content
- Price: Starts at $35 per month
- Free Trial: No
- DVR storage: 50 hours
- Simultaneous streams: 1 on the Blue/Orange plan, 3 on the Blue & Orange plan
4 DIRECTV Stream: For AT&T subscribers, DIRECTV Stream could be a solid choice, though it’s one of the more expensive options available.
- Live TV channels: 65+ channels on the Entertainment plan, 140+ on the Premier plan
- Movies & TV shows: Yes, with an HBO+ addon
- Price: Starts at $69.99 per month
- Free Trial: No
- DVR storage: 20 hours
- Simultaneous streams: 3
If you’re not an avid YouTube TV user, there are other streaming options below. While they may not offer all the same content, you can still access much of it through third-party apps on FireStick.
Legal Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only. firesticktricksapps.com does not own, host, operate, resell, or distribute any streaming apps, add-ons, websites, IPTV services, or related services. Some of the services mentioned may be unverified, and we cannot confirm whether they have the legal rights to distribute the content. firesticktricksapps.com does not verify the legality of these apps or services in all regions. It is your responsibility to research and verify the legality of any app/service you use and ensure you are streaming only content available in the public domain. The end-user assumes full responsibility for the content they access.
Free YouTube TV Alternatives
Many of the channels available on YouTube TV can be accessed via third-party apps, Kodi add-ons, and IPTV services on FireStick. These apps are often free or cost significantly less than official streaming services.
Important Warning
These third-party apps may host unlicensed content, and it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish legal content from unlicensed material. Watching such content could lead to potential legal issues.
How To Setup ExpressVPN
To protect your privacy while streaming, it’s a good idea to set up a VPN, such as ExpressVPN, which hides your IP address and ensures a secure browsing experience. This way, no one can monitor your streaming history or track your location.
Here’s how to install ExpressVPN on your FireStick:
- Subscribe to ExpressVPN Here. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free for the first 30 days. If you’re not satisfied, you can easily get a refund.
- Turn on your Fire TV Stick and go to the “Find” section, then select the “Search” option.
- Type “ExpressVPN” in the search bar and select ExpressVPN when it appears in the results.
- Click Download to install the ExpressVPN app on your Fire TV Stick.
- Open the app and sign in with the credentials you used to subscribe to ExpressVPN.
- Click the Power icon to connect to a VPN server, and your connection will now be secure.
For more detailed information, you can refer to our guide on using ExpressVPN with Fire TV/Stick.
Third-Party Apps
Third-party streaming apps play a significant role in the FireStick ecosystem. If you’re dissatisfied with official apps, you can easily switch to third-party options available on the web. However, it’s crucial to avoid randomly picking apps. We recommend reading through our list of the best third-party apps for FireStick and installing a couple of trusted options.
Kodi Add-ons
Kodi add-ons are another great option. You’ll need the official Kodi app on FireStick, which you can download through our installation guide. After that, you can explore the best Kodi add-ons for FireStick to expand your streaming options. We’ve also provided installation instructions for each Kodi add-on in our guides, so you can troubleshoot any issues you encounter while setting them up.
IPTV Services
IPTV services provide access to thousands of TV channels, surpassing the limited 85+ channels that YouTube TV offers. With IPTV, you can access pay-per-view (PPV) events, on-demand movies, TV shows, and a wide range of other content to enjoy on your big screen. To set up and use an IPTV provider, you only need an IPTV player, such as IPTV Smarters or TiviMate.
FAQs
What is the best alternative to YouTube TV?
If you’re looking for a direct competitor, Hulu is your best bet. It’s an excellent option, but if cost is a concern, Sling TV could be a more affordable alternative.
How much does YouTube TV cost?
YouTube TV costs $62.99 per month for the first three months and then increases to $72.99 per month.
Does YouTube TV include NBC channels?
Yes, YouTube TV carries the full range of NBC channels.
Does YouTube TV offer ESPN?
Yes, YouTube TV includes all ESPN channels for sports content.
Why are some channels removed from YouTube TV?
Channels are sometimes removed from YouTube TV due to disputes between the platform and content providers like Disney or NBC. These disagreements usually involve contract renewals and pricing, where content owners seek higher fees and YouTube TV may resist the increases to control costs.
Is FuboTV better than YouTube TV for sports?
FuboTV is considered a strong alternative to YouTube TV for sports fans, as it offers more than 220 channels and a variety of live sports content. It includes regional sports networks in select areas and is especially good for soccer, NFL, NBA, and more.
What are the DVR limitations on YouTube TV alternatives?
Each YouTube TV alternative offers different DVR capabilities. For instance, Hulu offers 50 hours by default with an option to upgrade to unlimited storage, while FuboTV and Sling TV have varied limits depending on your plan. DIRECTV Stream offers 20 hours unless upgraded.
Are there free options to replace YouTube TV?
Yes, there are several free alternatives available via third-party apps, IPTV services, and Kodi add-ons. However, users must exercise caution, as some of these apps may not have legal rights to the content they provide, potentially leading to legal issues if misused.
Is it safe to use third-party streaming apps on FireStick?
Third-party apps can be safe if sourced from reputable developers, but many carry risks of unlicensed content. To maintain privacy and security, using a VPN like ExpressVPN is recommended, as it hides your IP and encrypts your connection while streaming.
What devices support YouTube TV alternatives like Hulu or Sling TV?
Most YouTube TV alternatives support a wide range of devices including FireStick, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, iOS, and Android smartphones. Some services, like fuboTV and Hulu, even support web browsers and gaming consoles for flexible viewing.
Wrapping Up
If you’re not happy with YouTube TV’s current offerings, you can choose from any of the official apps mentioned earlier. If you’re looking to save some money, consider using third-party apps or IPTV services for a more budget-friendly streaming experience. Just make sure to use a VPN and be cautious of unlicensed content to avoid legal complications.
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