In a new survey of over 2,300 cord cutters, YouTube TV emerged as the clear favorite for live TV streaming, with 68% naming it the best service. Hulu + Live TV trailed far behind at 16%, DIRECTV at 11%, and Fubo at just 4%. This means YouTube TV’s preference share alone surpasses the combined support for its three main rivals, highlighting its strong lead in the competitive live TV streaming market.
The results underscore YouTube TV’s appeal for users seeking a balance of local channels, unlimited DVR, and user-friendly features without traditional cable contracts. As more households ditch cable, YouTube TV continues to solidify its position as the go-to option for live sports, news, and entertainment.
Short Histories of the Services
- YouTube TV: Launched by Google on April 5, 2017, in select U.S. markets, YouTube TV quickly expanded nationwide. It offers a robust lineup of over 100 channels, cloud DVR, and on-demand content. By late 2025, it had surpassed 10 million subscribers, growing through frequent channel additions and interface improvements.
- Fubo (FuboTV): Founded in January 2015 as a soccer-focused streaming service, Fubo pivoted in 2017 to a broader sports and entertainment platform. It emphasizes live sports coverage, including NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL, and has evolved into a full virtual multichannel provider while maintaining a strong focus on athletic programming.
- Hulu + Live TV: Hulu, originally a joint on-demand streaming venture launched in 2008, introduced its live TV service in 2017. Owned primarily by Disney, it bundles extensive on-demand libraries with live channels, making it attractive for viewers who want both cable-like TV and popular Hulu originals plus Disney+ and ESPN+ access.
- DIRECTV: Launched as a satellite service on June 17, 1994, by Hughes Electronics, DIRECTV pioneered direct broadcast satellite TV in the U.S. It was acquired by AT&T in 2015 and later spun off. Today, its streaming options (including DIRECTV Stream) continue a legacy of premium sports and entertainment packages, now competing in the OTT space.
As cord-cutting accelerates, these services will likely continue innovating to capture more of the growing market. Whether this lead holds will depend on future channel negotiations, pricing adjustments, and content exclusives.
Please add Cord Cutters News as a source for your Google News feed HERE. You can watch today’s top cord cutting stories on our YouTube channel HERE. Please follow us on Facebook and X for more news, tips, and reviews. Need cord cutting tech support? Join our Cord Cutting Tech Support Facebook Group for help.
