Fubo vs YouTubeTV vs Others

[Full Speed Ahead]

I've been using YouTubeTV for several years now, but am thinking of switching to Fubo to get better regional sports coverage. If you're using Fubo (or something else), do you recommend it to others?

 

[GophersInIowa]

I've signed up for the free trial of Fubo with different email addresses several times to watch the Twins when they play the Brewers (they're blacked out on MLB.TV here in Wisconsin when they play the Brewers). It seems just fine of a set up from what I could tell.

It really comes down to what's more important: local sports coverage or channels like TNT, TBS, truTV, Discovery, etc. Fubo doesn't have the Warner Bros channels and YouTube TV doesn't have the FSN channels (or whatever they're called now).

 

[short ornery norwegian]

most of the online comparisons echo what Iowa said -

YTTV is more catered to a general audience, while Fubo is aimed at the hard-core sports fans.

initial price is similar - $83 for YTTV and $80 for Fubo, but to get all the sports offerings, Fubo is $100 for the Elite plan with Sports package.

Fubo has FanDuel - YTTV does not. important if you want the Wolves and Wild. both have B1G.

--if you're a Twins fan, at this point we don't know whether the Twins will be available on cable TV or over-the-air. still TBD

some online forums like Reddit say Fubo's interface is a little cleaner and easier to navigate.

 

[Breakin' The Plane]

There's no perfect solution. I've kicked around with most of the services, but in the end, I'm content just paying the $110 a month for DirecTV Stream. I never have to worry about what I can't watch ( I watch nearly every Twins and Wolves game, so I'm really limited on choices).

 

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

I've been with YouTube TV for several years now. A buddy/client put me on to it, said for him it was the best for sports fans. I really like it. I love the customizable channel guide, the options available, the add-ons available, etc.

I tried FuBo for a little bit at one point but really didn't stick with it long enough to develop any love for it.

 

[GopherWeatherGuy]

There's no perfect solution. I've kicked around with most of the services, but in the end, I'm content just paying the $110 a month for DirecTV Stream. I never have to worry about what I can't watch ( I watch nearly every Twins and Wolves game, so I'm really limited on choices).

This is where I'm at as well and I haven't had any issues with DTV Stream.

I'm out of a Comcast/Xfinity area now, but if you're sports fan I don't know why you wouldn't just go with them. I had both high speed internet and the top sports package for $120 a month. It was far and away cheaper than getting separate internet and picking streaming services.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

WHOA! big freaking news today in the streaming TV realm. Fubo merging with Hulu+Live TV.

In a surprising deal announced on Monday, Disney is set to combine its Hulu Live TV business with Fubo, the live TV streaming service known for its extensive sports coverage. Under the terms of the deal, Disney will own about 70% of Fubo, which will continue to be available to viewers as a separate offering.

This new deal is expected to shake up the streaming TV business as the combined Fubo and Hulu Live TV player will let it take on major competitor YouTube TV, which has over 8 million subscribers. Hulu Live TV and Fubo now have a combined 6.2 million subscribers.

The merger comes nearly a year after Fubo sued ESPN, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery over Venu Sports, a proposed joint streaming venture between the three companies. Notably, the hearing was set for today, but Fubo has resolved all legal disputes as part of this transaction. Under the terms of the new agreement, the three companies will collectively pay Fubo $220 million, with Disney also offering a $145 million term loan extending through 2026. Should the merger not go through due to specific conditions, Fubo would be entitled to a termination fee of $130 million.

Hulu Live TV will continue to be available through the Hulu app and will be part of the bundle that includes Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+. Meanwhile, Fubo will maintain its service through its app.

---------------------
as part of the deal, Fubo is expected to add more Disney and ESPN channels, and create new "skinny bundle" packages.

 

[Donovan]

I've been with YouTube TV for several years now. A buddy/client put me on to it, said for him it was the best for sports fans. I really like it. I love the customizable channel guide, the options available, the add-ons available, etc.

I tried FuBo for a little bit at one point but really didn't stick with it long enough to develop any love for it.

I agree. I've tried a few of the services and one of the main reasons I like YTTV the best is it's DVR system design. I watch 95% of TV on delay (including sports), so, the DVR is the most important feature for me.

 

[howeda7]

There's no perfect solution. I've kicked around with most of the services, but in the end, I'm content just paying the $110 a month for DirecTV Stream. I never have to worry about what I can't watch ( I watch nearly every Twins and Wolves game, so I'm really limited on choices).

I still have the satellite but have it down to around $120. You essentially get both versions that way.

If they don't end up including the "Twins channel" in their package though I might ditch them and try YTTV. I expect they will carry it since they did for the Rockies/Dbacks etc. (Or the Twins will end up back on FanDuel like the Brewers).

I do find the video quality on YTTV for NFL Sunday ticket to be superior to anything else I watch. I don't know if that carries over to all their channels.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

Disney, Fox and Warner Brothers-Discovery today announced they are ending plans to roll out Venu - a proposed sports-only streaming service.

plans for Venu had been blocked by legal action taken by Fubo. the recent deal between Disney and Fubo was thought to remove those objections, but now Direct TV and others have indicated that they would continue the legal fight against Venu. so the entities involved have thrown in the towel, issuing the following statement:

“After careful consideration, we have collectively agreed to discontinue the Venu Sports joint venture and not launch the streaming service,” the companies said in a joint statement. “In an ever-changing marketplace, we determined that it was best to meet the evolving demands of sports fans by focusing on existing products and distribution channels."

ESPN is planning to roll out its own streaming venture - "Flagship" - this year, which would be a 'skinny bundle' containing all the ESPN channels including ESPN+. Disney has also indicated a new willingness to work with other cable and satellite providers to offer smaller channel packages at a lower price point.

 

[GopherGrit]

Disney, Fox and Warner Brothers-Discovery today announced they are ending plans to roll out Venu - a proposed sports-only streaming service.

plans for Venu had been blocked by legal action taken by Fubo. the recent deal between Disney and Fubo was thought to remove those objections, but now Direct TV and others have indicated that they would continue the legal fight against Venu. so the entities involved have thrown in the towel, issuing the following statement:

“After careful consideration, we have collectively agreed to discontinue the Venu Sports joint venture and not launch the streaming service,” the companies said in a joint statement. “In an ever-changing marketplace, we determined that it was best to meet the evolving demands of sports fans by focusing on existing products and distribution channels."

ESPN is planning to roll out its own streaming venture - "Flagship" - this year, which would be a 'skinny bundle' containing all the ESPN channels including ESPN+. Disney has also indicated a new willingness to work with other cable and satellite providers to offer smaller channel packages at a lower price point.

It's just tough for me to understand who is willing to pay $50/mo to get the main ESPN cable channels ... and that's it. I'm making a wild guess as to what it will cost.

And you probably don't get ESPN+ with that.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

It's just tough for me to understand who is willing to pay $50/mo to get the main ESPN cable channels ... and that's it. I'm making a wild guess as to what it will cost.

And you probably don't get ESPN+ with that.

the estimates that I've seen are putting the initial price for "Flagship" at $25-30 - and that does include ESPN+.

from Variety:
ESPN’s Flagship direct-to-consumer service, expected to debut in the fall of 2025, will provide all the linear TV programming that is currently available on the sports giant’s networks — as well as the additional events and content on ESPN+. ESPN Flagship also is expected to be closely integrated with ESPN Fantasy and provide betting options within its app, as well as statistics, merchandising and commerce — as well as AI to help create a personalized version of “SportsCenter” for users.

and this from The Athletic:
ESPN will — likely in August — begin its own all-you-can-eat, direct-to-consumer service — code-named “Flagship” — that is currently expected to be priced in the $25-30 range.

so, if you're a cord-cutter or planning to cut the cord - but you still want some sports - you could sign up for Flagship to get all of the ESPN and ESPN+ games at a (potentially) reasonable starting price. then get your other entertainment through Netflix, Peacock, etc - and still wind up paying less than you were for cable. at least that's the idea.

(as far as an AI to create a personalized version of SportsCenter........not my bag, but I suppose somebody might get a kick out of it....)

 

[GopherGrit]

the estimates that I've seen are putting the initial price for "Flagship" at $25-30 - and that does include ESPN+.

from Variety:
ESPN’s Flagship direct-to-consumer service, expected to debut in the fall of 2025, will provide all the linear TV programming that is currently available on the sports giant’s networks — as well as the additional events and content on ESPN+. ESPN Flagship also is expected to be closely integrated with ESPN Fantasy and provide betting options within its app, as well as statistics, merchandising and commerce — as well as AI to help create a personalized version of “SportsCenter” for users.

and this from The Athletic:
ESPN will — likely in August — begin its own all-you-can-eat, direct-to-consumer service — code-named “Flagship” — that is currently expected to be priced in the $25-30 range.

so, if you're a cord-cutter or planning to cut the cord - but you still want some sports - you could sign up for Flagship to get all of the ESPN and ESPN+ games at a (potentially) reasonable starting price. then get your other entertainment through Netflix, Peacock, etc - and still wind up paying less than you were for cable. at least that's the idea.

(as far as an AI to create a personalized version of SportsCenter........not my bag, but I suppose somebody might get a kick out of it....)

Bolded: well, I look dumb! That is much more realistic

 

[Word]

This is where I'm at as well and I haven't had any issues with DTV Stream.

I'm out of a Comcast/Xfinity area now, but if you're sports fan I don't know why you wouldn't just go with them. I had both high speed internet and the top sports package for $120 a month. It was far and away cheaper than getting separate internet and picking streaming services.

I'm on Directv stream too and it has been great. I get all the sports channels. Although we still have some of the other streaming services due to things they have....like Peacock for Premier League soccer.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

more sports streaming intrigue: DirecTV offering new Sports Skinny bundle:


According to DirecTV’s announcement Tuesday, a consumer will be able to access all of ESPN’s channels, Fox Sports, TNT Sports, league college networks and the local broadcast networks, except for CBS at this point, for $49.99 per month for the first three months and then $69.99 per month thereafter. That would make the annual price $779.88 for the first year and $839.88 each following year.
ESPN was once in 100 million cable homes and now has around 66 million subscribers, according to Nielsen. “MySports” intends to grow, but, at present, will be available in 24 metro markets, including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. Overall, the bundle includes 40 channels and broadcast networks.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

FWIW - Fox Sports has announced that the Super Bowl will be streamed live on Tubi in 4K.

(if you don't know, Tubi is a free streaming service - owned by Fox. this is the first time in my knowledge that Fox has streamed any sports on Tubi.)

 

[saintpauljeff]

more sports streaming intrigue: DirecTV offering new Sports Skinny bundle:


According to DirecTV’s announcement Tuesday, a consumer will be able to access all of ESPN’s channels, Fox Sports, TNT Sports, league college networks and the local broadcast networks, except for CBS at this point, for $49.99 per month for the first three months and then $69.99 per month thereafter. That would make the annual price $779.88 for the first year and $839.88 each following year.
ESPN was once in 100 million cable homes and now has around 66 million subscribers, according to Nielsen. “MySports” intends to grow, but, at present, will be available in 24 metro markets, including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. Overall, the bundle includes 40 channels and broadcast networks.

Wow, that is expensive @ $69.99, I have YTTV and haven't seen Wild/Twins a couple years... thought I would miss it but I don't. Only thing that still bothers me is when there is a national game on and its blocked because of the local broadcast rights. Fix all of that crap and then I'll maybe consider the 'skinny' sports packages or whatever.