Short answer: Hulu + Live TV is the better deal for most households because Disney+ and Hulu's on-demand library come included, and the ESPN channels are already in the lineup. DirecTV wins in one situation that matters a lot to some people: it still carries regional sports networks on its Choice tier and above, and Hulu doesn't carry them at all. If you watch your local NBA, NHL or MLB team, that single fact decides it. The catch on DirecTV is the price after the promotion ends, which can be $25 to $50 a month higher than the number in the ad.
At a glance
Hulu + Live TV vs DirecTV
| Hulu + Live TV | About $99.99/mo, Disney+ and Hulu included |
| DirecTV Entertainment | Promos from $59.99; standard reported ~$86.99 |
| Regional sports | DirecTV Choice and up only |
| Screens | Hulu 2 (unlimited for $9.99); DirecTV many at home |
| Best for | Hulu: families. DirecTV: local-team fans |
The comparison in one table
Prices below were published in September 2026. DirecTV quotes vary more than almost any other service because it advertises promotional rates prominently, so we've shown both where sources disagree.
| Hulu + Live TV | DirecTV (streaming) | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | $99.99/mo (Hulu with ads) | Entertainment: $59.99 promo, ~$86.99 standard |
| Top tier | ~$109.99/mo (no ads on Hulu) | Premier: $129.99 promo, ~$169.99 standard |
| Channels | 95 to 100+ | 90+ to 185+ by tier |
| Locals (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox) | Yes, most markets | Yes, most markets |
| ESPN networks | Yes | Yes; ESPN Unlimited app access included |
| Regional sports networks | No | Choice and above, fee up to $19.99 by ZIP |
| DVR | Unlimited, 9 months | Unlimited, 9 months |
| Streams | 2; unlimited at home for $9.99 | Generous at home; reported as 3 away |
| On-demand apps | Disney+ and Hulu included | Premiums free for 3 months, then paid |
| Free trial | 3 days | 5 days |
The price you'll actually pay
Hulu + Live TV is refreshingly simple. There's one price, it's close to $100, and it doesn't jump after month three. Hulu does run first-month offers (a $49.99 first month was advertised through October 2026), but the ongoing price is published clearly.
DirecTV is harder. Its site and partner sites lead with prices like $59.99 and $64.99, but those are promotional. Independent comparison sites list standard rates of roughly $86.99 for Entertainment, $114.99 for Choice, $129.99 for Ultimate and $169.99 for Premier. Some sources describe promotional discounts lasting up to 24 months; others describe a single discounted month. That spread is exactly why you should get a written quote for your ZIP code before signing up.
On top of the base price, DirecTV adds a regional sports fee on Choice and above that can reach $19.99 a month depending on where you live. A few sources also mention an extra service fee. Add those in, and Choice can land well over $130.
So the fair comparison is this: Hulu at about $100 against DirecTV Choice at roughly $115 to $135 once the promo ends, if you want sports. If you don't, DirecTV Entertainment at around $87 is a little cheaper than Hulu but gives you no Disney+ or Hulu library.
Regional sports: the dealbreaker
If you care about following one local pro team every night, this section is the whole article.
Regional sports networks show most regular-season games for NBA, NHL and MLB teams. YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV don't carry them. DirecTV carries many of them on Choice and above. Fubo carries some. That's roughly the entire list of big bundles still offering them.
Two caveats. First, RSN coverage has been shifting. Several teams now sell their games through their own direct-to-consumer apps, and a few have moved games back to free over-the-air stations. Before you pay $115+ for DirecTV Choice, check whether your team has its own streaming option or free local broadcasts this season. Second, the RSN fee is ZIP-based, so two neighbors in different counties can pay different prices.
If you don't follow a local team, ignore RSNs entirely. They're the most expensive channels in any bundle, and paying for them unused is the most common way people overspend on live TV. For a broader view of legitimate options for sport, see our sports streaming guide.
What comes bundled
Hulu + Live TV includes Disney+ and the Hulu on-demand library. That's thousands of films and series, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars, plus the ESPN channels in the live lineup. If you'd pay for Disney+ anyway, subtract its price from Hulu's before comparing. On the base plan, Hulu's own page describes ESPN app access as ESPN Select, with ESPN Unlimited on the higher tier, which is a distinction worth checking when you sign up. Our ESPN Unlimited vs Select breakdown explains the difference.
DirecTV includes the ESPN Unlimited app with its Signature packages and throws in premium channels (HBO Max, Paramount+, Starz, Cinemax, MGM+) for the first three months. After that they cost extra. Treat the three months as a nice trial, not a reason to buy.
Screens, DVR and the home network rule
Both DVRs are effectively the same: unlimited recordings, kept for nine months. No difference worth choosing on.
Screens are a real difference. Hulu allows two streams at once on the base plan. For $9.99 more, Unlimited Screens lifts that to as many as you want on your home network. DirecTV is more generous out of the box on home Wi-Fi, with sources quoting 20 or unlimited home streams and three away from home.
Both services tie your account to a home network location. If you split time between two houses or travel a lot, read the location rules before subscribing. Neither service lets you change your home area often. For the general principles of watching on several TVs, see our multi-device guide.
Devices and picture quality
Both apps run on the usual hardware: Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV, recent Samsung and LG sets, phones and browsers. DirecTV also sells its own Gemini streaming box. You don't need it, but some package descriptions tie extras like Disney+ and Hulu access to using one, so read the offer wording carefully before assuming you'll get them on your existing stick.
Picture quality is close. Most live channels on both arrive in 720p or 1080i, which is what the networks send. 4K is limited to a handful of events on either service, so it isn't a buying reason. What matters more is your connection: a steady 25 Mbps per 4K stream, or around 10 Mbps for HD, is a comfortable target. If you're not sure your home network can handle several streams, our internet speed guide explains how to check. And if an older TV struggles with either app, a $30 to $50 streaming stick usually fixes it faster than anything else.
Which one for which household
A family with kids, no local team: Hulu + Live TV, clearly. Disney+ alone makes up much of the price gap, and the live lineup covers locals, ESPN and the big cable networks. Add Unlimited Screens if more than two TVs run at once.
Someone who watches the local NBA or NHL team 60 nights a year: DirecTV Choice. It's more expensive, but it's one of the only bundles that shows those games at all. Check your team's own app first, though.
A sports household that doesn't care about RSNs: neither might be best. YouTube TV's base plan is cheaper than both, and our YouTube TV comparison covers why it's the default pick for many.
Someone on a tight budget: neither. At $85 to $135 a month, you're in cable territory. Look at cheaper routes to live TV first.
Avoid: signing up for DirecTV on a promo price without writing down the date it ends. Set a reminder a week before, then decide whether to stay, downgrade or leave.
Quick answers
Is Hulu + Live TV cheaper than DirecTV? Against DirecTV's standard prices, yes for comparable tiers. Against a DirecTV promo, no, but the promo ends.
Does Hulu + Live TV have regional sports networks? No. It doesn't carry RSNs anywhere.
Does DirecTV include ESPN Unlimited? Its Signature streaming packages include ESPN Unlimited app access at no extra charge, according to 2026 package descriptions.
Do both have unlimited DVR? Yes. Both keep recordings for up to nine months.
Can I watch on more than two TVs with Hulu? Yes, with the $9.99 Unlimited Screens add-on on your home network.
Is there a contract with either? No. Both are month to month, though DirecTV promotional pricing may carry conditions.
Did the Fubo merger change Hulu + Live TV? Not for subscribers so far. Disney and Fubo said in October 2025 that both would stay separate services with their own plans.
Prices, fees and regional sports availability vary by ZIP code and change frequently. Sources disagree on DirecTV's standard pricing, so get a quote for your address before subscribing. Checked September 2026.