In this post, I will talk about top YouTube TV alternatives to stream live TV channels in sports, news, kids, movies, and other categories. I will go over both the paid and free YouTube TV alternatives. Let’s get started.
Every now and then we hear news about YouTube TV dropping some of the popular channels from the list. Following the practice, YouTube does offer a discount to your monthly subscription to make up for dropped channels. But it’s all irrelevant when your favorite NBC or Disney channels vanished, for which you signed up for YouTube TV in the first place. Here are the best YouTube TV alternatives to check out.
YouTube TV isn’t the only streaming service to watch live TV channels and sports without cable. Based on your needs and requirements, you can easily find another service provider from the list below.
Before I glance you through the YouTube TV alternatives list, let’s take a step back and learn what’s happening with YouTube and why there is a trend for checking out YouTube TV alternatives.
Why Do You Need to Look for YouTube TV Alternatives?
The whole drama started back in September when NBC threatened to pull channels from YouTube TV. Both the parties reached a last-minute deal to keep NBC channels on the platform.
YouTube TV came under fire once again when Disney decided to call it off and removed all channels from the YouTube TV catalog.
The ban stayed for a day and Google managed to restore Disney channels in 24 hours.
As a consumer, you don’t deserve to receive such treatment. After all, you signed up for the service with the promise of 85+ channels. These frequent disputes may leave you in sour taste as your favorite channel might disappear from YouTube TV overnight as the company couldn’t reach an agreement.
Also, it’s not like YouTube is cheap or charging way less than the competition. Consumers are paying $72.99 per month to cut the cord.
Attention: Read before you continue
Governments and ISPs across the world monitor your online activities. If found streaming copyrighted content on your device, you could get into serious trouble.
Currently, your IP is visible to everyone. I strongly recommend you get a trustworthy VPN and hide your identity so that your movie-viewing experience doesn’t take a bad turn.
I use ExpressVPN, the fastest and most secure VPN in the industry. It is very easy to install on any device, including Amazon Fire TV Stick, Smartphones, PC, macOS, iOS, and more.
It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you don't like their service, you can always ask for a refund. ExpressVPN also has a special deal where you can get 3 months free and save 49% on the annual plan.
Read: How to install and use the best VPN for FireStick
Read: How to install and use a VPN on other streaming devices
Why NBC and Disney Had Disputes with YouTube TV?
Folks, it’s all about money. NBC and Disney feel that YouTube TV should be paying a higher amount during the renewal process. While YouTube TV is asking them to keep the price as it is.
NBC and Disney are familiar with Google’s reach and just how aggressive Google can be to push YouTube TV in the US. They can’t miss reach and money on millions of YouTube TV subscribers.
YouTube TV, on the other hand, can’t afford these channels to disappear from the platform. It would lead to a huge service cancellation trend and hamper the company’s further growth.
Imagine a scenario where YouTube TV loses ESPN channels right before a trendy MNF (Monday Night Football) game or NBC pulling up NBC Sports moments before Super Bowl. That would piss millions of YouTube TV subscribers.
As a cord-cutter, you don’t have to be a part of this drama. You can ditch YouTube TV and go with the alternatives from the list below.
Best YouTube TV Alternatives
I will start the list with YouTube TV’s biggest competitor – Hulu.
1. Hulu
Hulu comfortably tops out best YouTube TV alternatives list. The Disney-owned streaming service has 75+ live TV channels, ESPN+ addon option, and more.
- Live TV channels: 75+ channels in the highest plan
- Movies and TV shows: Yes, on-demand content via Disney+ addon
- Price: $72.99 per month
- Free trial: Yes, 7 days
- DVR storage: 50 hours, option to upgrade to unlimited DVR storage
- Number of simultaneous streams: 2, unlimited streams for $9.99 per month
Even YouTube TV considers Hulu as its direct rival. That’s why the company has a direct comparison with Hulu on the homepage.
How to Install Hulu on FireStick
2. fuboTV
fuboTV beats the YouTube TV to the punch with over 220+ live TV channels support. Just like YouTube TV, the service is available on all the platforms you can think of. I’m talking about official apps support for platforms like Android, iOS, FireStick, Android TV, and Apple TV.
- Live TV channels: 220+ channels based on your area
- Movies and TV shows: Lack of 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 plan
- Number of simultaneous streams: 3 with the Starter plan and 10 with the Pro/Elite plan
If for some reason, you don’t want to pick Hulu as a YouTube TV alternative, you can go with fuboTV as well.
Website: https://www.fubo.tv/welcome
3. Sling TV
If you are planning to leave YouTube TV due to the high subscription price, you can slide with Sling TV. Here is what’s on offer.
- Live TV channels: 35 channels in Sling Blue/Sling Orange plan. 51 in the highest plan
- Movies and TV shows: No on-demand content
- Price: Starts at $35 per month
- Free trial: No
- DVR storage: 50 hours
- Number of simultaneous streams: 1 in the Blue/Orange plan and 3 in the Blue & Orange plan
Check out the Sling TV content on offer. If you feel it’s sufficient for you, save some money and sign up for Sling TV at $10 per month.
How to Install Sling TV on FireStick
4. DIRECTV Stream
AT&T’s DIRECTV stream can be an ideal option for AT&T subscribers. It’s one of the expensive options from the bunch. Here’s what America’s second-largest carrier is offering.
- Live TV channels: 65+ channels in Entertainment plan and 140+ channels in Premier plan
- Movies and TV shows: Yes, via HBO+ addon
- Price: Starts at $69.99 per month
- Free trial: No
- DVR storage: 20 hours
- Number of simultaneous streams: 3
Website: https://www.directv.com/stream/
If you are not a power YouTube TV user, you can use the streaming services from the list below as well. They might not offer all the YouTube TV content, but you can easily find what you are looking for with third-party apps on FireStick.
Free YouTube TV Alternatives
Legal Disclaimer: This tutorial is purely educational. FireStickTricks.com doesn’t own, host, operate, resell, or distribute any streaming apps, addons, websites, IPTV or services. The page contains some unverified services, and we are not certain whether they hold legal licenses to distribute the content. FireStickTricks.com does not verify the legality of each app/service in all regions. Do your due diligence if you use any of the unverified apps/services, and stream only content that is available in the public domain. The end-user shall be solely responsible for the media accessed.
Most YouTube TV channels are available to stream via third-party apps, Kodi addons, and IPTV services on FireStick. These apps are either free or cost a fifth of what official apps charge to subscribers.
Before you go ahead and install these apps on FireStick, we need to have a word of caution.
These apps might carry unlicensed content, to begin with. They are not easily distinguishable from the bunch. You might end up watching unlicensed TV channels on FireStick, leading to future legal troubles.
Instead, you can set up ExpressVPN to hide your IP address and enjoy a private browsing experience. No one will be able to glance over your FireStick watching history and your location.
Once you set up ExpressVPN on FireStick, you are all set to enjoy third-party free YouTube TV rivals from the web.
Here’s how to install ExpressVPN on FireStick.
Step 1: Subscribe to ExpressVPN HERE. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Meaning, you can use it free for the first 30-days and if you are not satisfied with the performance (which is highly unlikely), you can ask for a full refund.
Step 2: Power ON your Fire TV Stick and go to Find followed by Search option.
Step 3: Now type “Expressvpn” (without quotes) in the search bar and select ExpressVPN when it shows up in the search results.
Step 4: Click Download to install the ExpressVPN app on Fire TV / Stick.
Step 5: Open the app and enter the login credentials that you created while buying the ExpressVPN subscription. Click Sign in.
Step 6: Click the Power icon to connect to a VPN server. That’s all. Your connection is now secure with the fastest and best VPN for FireStick.
You can also read more detailed info on using ExpressVPN with Fire TV / Stick.
Third-Party Apps
Third-party streaming apps play a huge role in the FireStick ecosystem. If you are not happy with official apps on FireStick to stream the content, you can easily ditch them and go with third-party apps from the web.
Don’t get involved with any random app though. Read over my list of the best third-party apps for FireStick and install a couple of options on FireStick.
Kodi Addons
Kodi addons require the official Kodi app on FireStick. Download Kodi from my installation guide and glance over the best Kodi addons for FireStick.
I have installation instructions for every Kodi addon guide. Do read them if you are facing issues integrating Kodi addons on FireStick.
IPTV Services
IPTV services offer thousands of TV channels while YouTube TV is limited to only 85+ channels. With an IPTV service, you also get support for PPV events, on-demand movies and TV shows, and lots of other content to enjoy on a big screen.
All you need is an IPTV player such as IPTV Smarters or TiviMate to set up and use an IPTV provider.
YouTube TV FAQs
What is the best YouTube TV alternative?
You can’t go wrong with Hulu. It’s the best pick from the bunch. If pricing is the issue, go with Sling TV.
How much does YouTube TV cost?
YouTube TV is priced at $62.99 per month for the first three months, and then the price increases to $72.99 a month.
Does YouTube TV have NBC channels?
Yes, YouTube TV carries the NBC family of channels in the library.
Does YouTube TV have ESPN?
YouTube TV has all the ESPN channels to stream sports content.
Wrapping Up
There you have it. If you are not happy with the current YouTube TV offering, go with either of the official apps from the list above. You can also go with third-party apps or IPTV services and save some money in the process.
Related:
- How to Create & Set Up YouTube API Key, ID, & Secret for Kodi
- How to Install Youtube TV on FireStick
- Best Project Free TV Alternatives
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YouTube TV is now $77 per month (as of Jan. 2024)
Hi, it is $62.99 first three months and $72.99 thereafter.
The best YouTube alternative is “BCE Premium TV”
Hi Anderson, thank you for the suggestion. We will certainly look into BCE Premium TV in the future.