YouTube TV is the better all-around live-TV service for most households in 2026, with a broader channel lineup, unlimited DVR, and the full slate of broadcast networks, while Fubo is the sharper pick for sports and international fans who want a lower starting price.
The single biggest difference this year is that Fubo lost its NBCUniversal channels in late 2025, so there is no NBC, USA, or Bravo on Fubo, while YouTube TV still carries them.
That one change reshaped the comparison. Here is how the two services stack up on price, channels, DVR, and sports, and which one fits your household.
The Quick Verdict
Pick YouTube TV if you want one service that does everything: local broadcast networks including NBC, a deep general-entertainment lineup, unlimited DVR, and ESPN and ABC, which returned to the platform after a 2025 carriage dispute was resolved. Pick Fubo if your priority is sports, especially soccer and international competitions, and you want to start at a lower monthly price and do not need the NBCUniversal channels.
| Feature | Fubo (Pro) | YouTube TV (Base) |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $73.99 / month | $82.99 / month |
| Channel count | 200+ (sports-heavy) | 100+ (broad) |
| DVR | 1,000 hours | Unlimited |
| Simultaneous streams | Up to 10 at home | 3 (more with add-on) |
| NBC, USA, Bravo (NBCUniversal) | Not carried | Included |
| ESPN and ABC | Included | Included |
| Local channels | Strong in most markets | Strong in most markets |
| Best for | Sports and international fans | All-around households |
Price
Fubo is cheaper at the entry level. After losing the NBCUniversal channels in November 2025, Fubo lowered its Pro plan from $84.99 to $73.99 a month, which now undercuts YouTube TV’s $82.99 base plan. YouTube TV responded to the broader market by launching genre-specific plans in February 2026, including a Sports plan that starts at $54.99 a month for the first year before renewing higher, the first real pricing flexibility since the service launched.
So the cheapest path depends on what you watch. If you only want sports, YouTube TV’s new Sports plan can be the lowest-cost option for a year. If you want a full lineup, Fubo Pro is the cheaper of the two complete plans.
Channels and Content
This is where the services diverge most. Fubo built its reputation on sports, and its Pro plan still carries more than 200 channels with heavy soccer, international, and live-sports coverage. The catch is the NBCUniversal gap: with NBC, USA Network, Bravo, Golf Channel, and the rest gone, Fubo lost Sunday Night Football, a chunk of Premier League coverage, and a swath of general entertainment.
YouTube TV carries a broader, more balanced lineup, including all four major broadcast networks, the NBCUniversal channels, and ESPN and ABC. For a household that wants news, entertainment, and sports in one place, that completeness is the advantage.
DVR and Simultaneous Streams
YouTube TV offers unlimited DVR storage, so you can record as much as you want and keep it for nine months. Fubo provides 1,000 hours, which is generous and enough for most households but not literally unlimited. On simultaneous streams, Fubo is more generous at home, allowing up to ten screens on your home network, while YouTube TV includes three streams, expandable with an add-on. Large households that watch in many rooms at once may prefer Fubo’s stream count.
Sports
For a dedicated sports fan, Fubo still makes a strong case despite the NBCUniversal loss, particularly for soccer and international leagues where its lineup runs deep. YouTube TV counters with ESPN, ABC, Fox, CBS, and the NBC networks, plus the coming addition of ESPN’s direct-to-consumer service to its base plan, which gives it the more complete domestic sports package for football, basketball, and baseball fans.
One bit of background worth knowing: Disney merged its Hulu + Live TV service with Fubo in late 2025, taking a majority stake. The two services still operate separately with their own plans, but the deal reshaped the live-TV market and is part of why the lineups shifted. If you are comparing the whole field, our guide to watching live TV without cable puts both services in context with the rest.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose YouTube TV if you want a single do-everything service with NBC and the full broadcast set, unlimited DVR, and a simple interface, and you are comfortable at the $82.99 base price. Choose Fubo if sports and international coverage are your priority, you want to start cheaper at $73.99, and the missing NBCUniversal channels are not a dealbreaker. Both offer free trials, so the lowest-risk move is to test the one that fits your viewing before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fubo or YouTube TV better?
YouTube TV is the better all-around choice for most households, with a broader lineup, unlimited DVR, and the NBCUniversal channels. Fubo is better for sports and international fans who want a lower starting price and do not need NBC, USA, or Bravo.
Why doesn’t Fubo have NBC anymore?
Fubo lost the NBCUniversal channels, including NBC, USA, and Bravo, in November 2025 when its distribution contract expired without a renewal. Those channels are no longer on Fubo, while YouTube TV continues to carry them.
Which is cheaper, Fubo or YouTube TV?
Fubo Pro is cheaper at $73.99 a month versus YouTube TV’s $82.99 base plan. However, YouTube TV’s newer Sports plan starts at $54.99 for the first year, making it the cheapest option if you only want sports channels.
Does YouTube TV have ESPN?
Yes. ESPN and ABC are on YouTube TV. They were briefly pulled during a 2025 carriage dispute with Disney, but a new multi-year deal restored them, and ESPN’s direct-to-consumer service is being added to the base plan.
Which has better DVR, Fubo or YouTube TV?
YouTube TV has unlimited DVR storage, while Fubo offers 1,000 hours. Both are generous, but YouTube TV’s unlimited recording is the stronger option for households that record heavily and keep shows for months.
Can I watch sports on both Fubo and YouTube TV?
Yes. Both carry extensive sports. Fubo leans into soccer and international coverage, while YouTube TV offers a more complete domestic package across ESPN, Fox, CBS, and NBC networks, plus the coming ESPN direct-to-consumer addition.
Do Fubo and YouTube TV offer free trials?
Both services typically offer free trials for new subscribers, though the length and availability change. A trial is the best way to compare the channel lineups and interface against what your household actually watches before paying.
Last updated: May 2026. We update this comparison as prices and channel lineups change.