I cut the cord with Sling TV but ditched it for YouTube TV — here’s why

(L to R) The Sling TV and YouTube TV app icons on the Apple TV home screen.
(Image credit: Henry T. Casey / Tom's Guide)

After almost a year and a half after I cut the cord with Sling TV, I've finally left it. And as I told people, this wasn't a decision I actually enjoyed. Over the last year, though, as many streaming services increased prices, Sling TV's dual price increases simply pushed me away.

Right now, it simply feels like the best cable TV alternative of my dreams doesn't exist anymore. It's not like I need a whole lot: I got Sling Blue because I needed FOX, TBS, TNT and USA. And now that the F1 live streams are back, I wanted ESPN. Just four simple channels, though ESPN probably costs an arm and a leg because that's the price of live sports.

When I signed up, Sling Blue was a relatively affordable $35 per month. $30 cheaper than YouTube TV ($65) back then. Even then, I knew YouTube TV was better overall — I tested all of the top options, and I've since written our Sling TV vs YouTube TV and YouTube TV vs Hulu + Live TV — than Sling TV, but saving $30 was to good. Even if I upgraded to the Sling Orange + Blue combo pack ($50 then), to get ESPN, I'd still be spending $14 less.

But then the price changes happened. Last November, Sling TV got $5 more expensive for both Blue, Orange and Orange + Blue. And this February, Sling got ABC in select markets — and some of those areas (my own region of New York City included) got a $5 price hike for their troubles. This is when I knew I was going to quit. 

This past Monday (March 6) was the last day of my deal, and since I was putting off the decision so I wouldn't have overlapping payments, I finally made the choice on Sunday. Here's why I picked YouTube TV and not Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV or DirecTV Stream.

YouTube and Hulu + Live TV were the front-runners

First off, I can easily explain why FuboTV and DirecTV Stream didn't qualify. Fubo starts at $74.99 ($10 more than YouTube TV and $5 more than Hulu + Live TV) and doesn't carry the Turner networks of TNT, TBS and truTV. A higher price and missing fairly-available channels that I want? Nah. Also, I still find it funny that Fubo doesn't have those channels but bills itself as the sports streaming service, especially when playoffs basketball and baseball are on those Turner channels.

Unfortunately, Fubo got even more pricier with a new regional sports fee that's added near the end of checkout. And that fee is not-optional, so if you have regional sports networks near you, you'll be paying $11 (one network) or $14 (more than one) more per month. And I have many (that I won't watch) here in New York, so that would make Fubo TV around $89 per month. 

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Row 0 - Cell 0 Hulu with Live TVYouTube TVFubo TVSling TV Orange+Blue DirecTV Stream
Starting Price (per month) $70$65$75$55 - $60 $75
Channels and contentMore than 75 channels, Hulu content, Disney Plus with ads, ESPN PlusMore than 100 channelsMore than 15547 channelsMore than 75
DVRUnlimitedUnlimited1,000 hours50 hoursUnlimited
Simultaneous Streams23 (Unlimited option available in $84.99 per month package)31 (with Orange), 3 (with Blue) 4 (in the $55 per month Orange/Blue)3

As for DirecTV Stream? It's also $75, and doesn't have anything particularly unique for me. Yes, DirecTV Stream has added stats, and a neat auto-extend feature so your live sports games won't get cut off is they go late, but I'm not really looking to spend $10 more for either of those.

This leaves me with two options: YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV. Wondering why I didn't mention Philo? Well, Philo is great for watching Yellowstone and RuPaul's Drag Race, but the super-affordable $25 per month service has none of the networks (TBS, TNT, USA, FOX and ESPN) I need.

Why I considered Hulu + Live TV

In short, I didn't pick Hulu + Live TV because I don't like ads. The service is pretty great for those who want Disney Plus, ESPN Plus and Hulu content in addition to their live TV, as that package costs only $70. The only catch is that you'll get ads in your Disney Plus — something I don't have with my $15 per month Disney Bundle that I'm grandfathered into.

I don't watch a ton of Disney Plus, but I am streaming The Mandalorian season 3 in the mornings (for work) after I wake up, the one time of the day I don't want ads. Also, I've been slowly walking my monoculture-averse parents through the MCU during dinner, and I don't need to worry about ads when I'm pausing and rewinding when someone needs something explained.

The channel grid on Hulu + Live TV

(Image credit: Henry T. Casey / Tom's Guide)

So, that's one reason why I'd need the $83 per month version of the Disney Bundle with ad-free Disney Plus and Hulu (plus ad-supported ESPN Plus). Then, my price-comparing brain kicks in, and says I'd be spending $80 total on YouTube TV and Disney Plus (without ads), Hulu (with ads) and ESPN Plus. And that $3 not a huge difference.

But then I actually tested Hulu + Live TV recently (for the aforementioned YouTube TV vs Hulu + Live TV faceoff), and I came away unenthused. Its layout isn't great, as it's jammed into the regular Hulu app, which creates some confusing situations. In its favor though, Hulu has one channel I want that YouTube TV doesn't: Vice. That said, the one show I want Vice for — The Dark Side of the Ring — is off-season. So I'll probably revisit Hulu + Live TV when it comes back.

Why I picked (and like) YouTube TV

Survival of the fittest streaming service left YouTube TV, which at $65 per month is still the cheapest option around. But YouTube TV got me to hit subscribe through two other reasons. Currently, it's offering a $10 off sale for your first three months, bringing it down to a cheaper $55 per month. On top of that, I was eligible for a 14-day free trial, something I didn't see when checking Hulu out.

But if I had to name only one great feature about YouTube TV, it would be the very simple art of rewinding and fast-forwarding. YouTube TV's apps offer a smoother and more-responsive experience, which may be because of what Google mastered with regular ol' YouTube.

The home screen on YouTube TV

(Image credit: Henry T. Casey / Tom's Guide)

And, so far, everything just works on YouTube TV. I know my needs and necessary channel list isn't everybody's, but I really appreciate how YouTube TV's still at $65 per month. That's the same price it was at when I chose Sling in 2021.

Outlook: Waiting on the other streaming shoe to drop

While I don't like spending $30 more per month than I did when I signed up for Sling, it's hard to expect any service to not get a price hike these days. At any moment, YouTube TV could finally tick upward to $70 per month or higher. And that would make the $60 I'd spend on Sling Orange & Blue look more reasonable. 

Sure, I'm happier to have YouTube TV's unlimited DVR (much better than Sling's 50 hour cap), but Sling TV will also probably look better once I don't need ESPN. Once the F1 season is over, the $20 I'd save by going back to a $45 per month Sling Blue will be awfully tempting. That's a whole movie ticket in NYC!

For now, I just hope everyone's aware of the price increases and new fees that I've mentioned above. I still encourage cord-cutting, and I pray that these services don't have me ever thinking of going back to cable TV.

More from Tom's Guide

Henry T. Casey
Managing Editor (Entertainment, Streaming)

Henry is a managing editor at Tom’s Guide covering streaming media, laptops and all things Apple, reviewing devices and services for the past seven years. Prior to joining Tom's Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Magazine. He's also covered the wild world of professional wrestling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and other industry veterans.

  • Moose and Squirrel
    Sling was fine when all I needed was blue and that was $30, with plenty of deals always present, from free months to cheap streamer, dvr and antenna hardware.

    But it had terrible picture quality, especially for sports. 720p and low bitrate. I hear they improved that somewhat, but given the price increases it's not worth saving a few dollars when YTV has far more channels and doesn't have the bugs and occasional glitches that Sling used to have.
    Reply
  • rbtree
    Moose and Squirrel said:
    Sling was fine when all I needed was blue and that was $30, with plenty of deals always present, from free months to cheap streamer, dvr and antenna hardware.

    But it had terrible picture quality, especially for sports. 720p and low bitrate. I hear they improved that somewhat, but given the price increases it's not worth saving a few dollars when YTV has far more channels and doesn't have the bugs and occasional glitches that Sling used to have.


    Good article! I look for deals and have numerous streaming services like AZ Prime, paramount+, HBO, starz, peacock, etc and only pay under $35/mo total for those since I seem to always find discounts, cashback etc.
    But I had Hulu for portions of a couple years mainly to watch NFL.. Switched to YT last fall... Got the $10 off for three mo and 2 weeks free.... Yes, YT TV was great.....

    But I drop each of those as there's little else that interests me as I have so many standalone services.
    Come next football season, I may have to try to sign up with a different email and id to get that same discount....

    I do the same when my sub deals run out...
    Reply
  • Timbo303
    Moose and Squirrel said:
    Sling was fine when all I needed was blue and that was $30, with plenty of deals always present, from free months to cheap streamer, dvr and antenna hardware.

    But it had terrible picture quality, especially for sports. 720p and low bitrate. I hear they improved that somewhat, but given the price increases it's not worth saving a few dollars when YTV has far more channels and doesn't have the bugs and occasional glitches that Sling used to have.

    Depending on needs and circumstances you might need sling for either mlb or nhl because they are the only cheap live service with mlb network and nhl network with the sports addon. Though this costs $75/month if you have sling orange and blue and have forced abc channel. However sling is missing locals for most and rsns for all markets. The idea for sling is to get your locals with antenna. Rsns like Bally sports, nesn, msg can be bought separately for around $20-$30. This would make the bill $105/month making it barely cheaper than directv stream ultimate (it has nhl network). However this doesn't work if you have a nbc sports rsn or some other regional with a seperate subscription.
    Reply
  • KADC
    I pay roughly $63/mth USD at the current exchange rate ($85.99 CAD and that's after two rate increases in the past year) for 285ish cable TV channels (includes some time-shifted duplicates) plus 100ish music channels and a PVR. Is cable particularly expensive down there because none of these options are even close to worth it.
    Reply
  • joep94553
    Cable is soon to be in the minority... After that, the big Streaming Alternatives, I think over time they will change. I understand why people want to see news, weather and sports live, but why does anyone need to be glued to watch their favorite TV shows at a particular time on a particular day? On demand video in my opinion will be the majority in the future. As an example, Hulu on demand (not Hulu live) has a vast library of current TV shows, no need for Live TV, no need for DVR. A ton of streaming content on demand on Netflix, Paramount+, and Peacock. Then there is all the free content to stream on Pluto, Freevee, and Tubi. Also, Sling is adding more free content as well. Plus, the new OTA 4K content you can get free.

    Also, for the big cost streaming alternatives like YouTube TV, Hulu Live and Fubo - if they haven't already, make all news, and sports separate addon packages ... stop being like the dying cable companies who inflate your bill with things you don't watch.
    Reply
  • mingkee
    The ONLY reason I stay Sling is Reelz (OP:L) on Hollywood Extra
    If YTTV had Reelz, even an value add option, I will switch
    Reply