A recent price hike made YouTube TV Vs Spectrum TV more complicated to choose from. Both are the best cable TV alternatives but they are similar in price. For those who want to cut the cord and go for cable TV service, then YouTube TV and Spectrum TV offerings are well-regarded for major broadcast networks.
Although Spectrum TV stands in a strong position with better bundle service, YouTube TV has great sports-first perks. So, we decided to categorize features of these streaming services head-to-head competition. Without further confusion, let’s see the comparison to find more value and choose any of them.
YouTube TV Vs Spectrum TV: Comparison Table
| Features | YouTube TV | Spectrum TV |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price (per month) | $64.99/mo. for your first 3 months (starting in July 2023) | $59.99/mo. |
| Channels (in entry-level package) | 100+ top channels | 125+ channels |
| DVR | Unlimited DVR space | 100 hours of Cloud DVR Plus storage at $9.99/mo. |
| On-Demand | Yes | Yes |
| Device Support | Smart TVs (Android TV, Hisense, LG, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, Vizio), Fire TV, Roku, Chromecast with Google TV, Apple TV, Xbox One and Series X|S, PS4 and PS5, Android, iPhones, and iPads | Apple iOS 12+ (iPad, iPhone, iPod), Amazon Kindle Fire, Android, Xbox One, Samsung Smart TV, Roku, Google Chromecast |
| Simultaneous Streams | 3 (Unlimited streams available on NFL Sunday start at $299) | Unlimited device streams |
YouTube TV vs Spectrum: Channels
Most of the time, YouTube TV and Spectrum TV channel lineups are similar. YouTube claims they provide 100+ top channels while Spectrum TV declares 125+ channels. Both have lots of networks in common and something is missing.
Spectrum TV offers History and Lifetime which YouTube TV doesn’t have. Both services include Me TV (a classic network) and INSP (a western network) are available only on Spectrum. When closely checking the channel list, we found some dissimilarities.
A&E is not available on YouTube but A & E and ACC ESPN sports network is available on Spectrum TV. Here’s a list of 25 popular TV channels on YouTube TV and Spectrum TV’s entry-level packages.
Learn More About: How to Watch SEC Plus on YouTube TV? (Full Guide 2023)
| Channel | YouTube TV | Spectrum TV |
|---|---|---|
| 1. NBC | Yes | Yes |
| 2. CBS | Yes | Yes |
| 3. ABC | Yes | Yes |
| 4. Fox | Yes | Yes |
| 5. Fox News Channel | Yes | Yes |
| 6. ESPN | Yes | Yes |
| 7. Univision | Yes | Yes |
| 8. MSNBC | Yes | Yes |
| 9. HGTV | Yes | Yes |
| 10. Hallmark Channel | Yes | Yes |
| 11. Ion | Yes | Yes |
| 12. TLC | Yes | Yes |
| 13. TNT | Yes | Yes |
| 14. Telemundo | Yes | Yes |
| 15. TBS | Yes | Yes |
| 16. History | No | Yes |
| 17. Discovery Channel | Yes | Yes |
| 18. Food Network | Yes | Yes |
| 19. INSP | No | Yes |
| 20. USA Network | Yes | Yes |
| 21. CNN | Yes | Yes |
| 22. Me TV | No | Yes |
| 23. Bravo | Yes | Yes |
| 24. Lifetime | No | Yes |
| 25. The CW | Yes | Yes |
| Total | 21 | 25 |
A little feature of Spectrum TV loved by all, is that it offers east-west coast feeds of some channels, so west coast viewers can watch with east coast friends at a time. This feature is only available for TBS, Cartoon Network, TNT, Discovery, and Animal Planet. From recent channel analysis, YouTube TV lost the Boomerang animation network and Spectrum TV lost the Flix channel.
Winner: Spectrum TV, due to vast channel availability.
Learn More:
YouTube TV vs Spectrum: Price
Both cable tv provides multiple benefits in their TV package. Naturally, there are no similarities in their pricing. But, we have to look at which provider has the best consistency, best benefits, and best overall features. Here’s a breakdown of pricing among YouTube TV Vs Spectrum TV.
YouTube TV
| Package | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Base Plan | 100+ live channels, Unlimited DVR space, Key Plays View, 6 accounts and 3 simultaneous streams | $64.99/mo. |
| Spanish Plan | 30+ Spanish networks, Unlimited DVR space, Key Plays View, 6 accounts and 3 simultaneous streams | $34.99/mo. |
| NFL Sunday Ticket + YouTube TV | YouTube TV, Every out-of-market Sunday afternoon game, 2-year contract, Save on NFL Sunday Ticket, Unlimited simultaneous streams | $299 |
| NFL Sunday Ticket + NFL RedZone + YouTube TV | NFL Sunday Ticket, YouTube TV, NFL RedZone, 2-year contract, Unlimited simultaneous streams, Watch TV and supported devices | $339 |
| NFL Sunday Ticket + NFL RedZone on YouTube | NFL Sunday Ticket, NFL RedZone, 2-year contract, Unlimited simultaneous streams, Watch TV and supported devices | $439 |
Spectrum TV
| Package | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|
| TV Select | 125+ channels Includes local and basic cable channels, Channels include NBC, FX, and Magnolia Network | $59.99/mo. |
| TV Select + Entertainment View | 205+ channels, Adds 80+ basic cable channels, Channels include Disney XD, Cooking Channel, and OWN | $71.99/mo |
| TV Select + Sports View + Entertainment View | 228+ channels, Adds premium live sports networks, Channels include NFL RedZone, ESPNews, Outdoor Channel | $77.99/mo. |
When you take a deep look at the pricing of both services, you will see the price hike of YouTube TV. It starts at $64.99 per month and will be $72.99 after 3 months. In contrast, Spectrum TV starts at $59.99 which is $13 less. Besides, Spectrum TV offers better value for each package, though I’ll explain it below.
Winner: Spectrum TV, by $13
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YouTube TV vs Spectrum: Value
The overall channel activity and entry-level pricing indicate to lean on Spectrum TV and those who want more than just movies and shows, get more with YouTube TV. Because YouTube TV is good for Fans of live sports and viewers who record live programming, can subscribe to it.
Of course, YouTube has a max price but it includes ESPN Plus which costs ($9.99 per month) but unfortunately, no Disney bundle is involved in it. Another way, ESPN Plus, Disney Plus, Hulu are coming soon to Spectrum TV on August 22, 2023, as per recent news.
You may not want all the services, but we expect one of them appeals to you most. YouTube TV gives you only 3 simultaneous streams at once, but Spectrum TV offers unlimited simultaneous streams, which is the most appealing feature.
Winner: Spectrum TV for the value of bundles
YouTube TV vs Spectrum: Picture Quality
Spectrum TV and YouTube TV picture quality is mostly in the 720p to 1080p range. Just like most cable channels. Both are nothing special in this term. Though YouTube TV makes the resolution easy to see in the on-screen menu, Spectrum TV does not offer such affordances.
It is so frustrating that YouTube and Spectrum TV don’t have any 4K live streaming facility in entry-level packages. Yes, Spectrum TV has on-demand content in 4K mode but it needs a Set-Top Box ($9.99 per month) or a DVR Box ($8.99 per month) for 4K content.
On the other hand, YouTube TV offers 4K feeds for $19.99 per month. It is so intolerable. As far as I know, only FuboTV has 4K streams by default. On the mobile version, Spectrum TV’s 4k fees sometimes look low-resolution than YouTube feeds.
Winner: Nobody. We all deserve better
YouTube TV vs Spectrum: Sports
Both YouTube TV and Spectrum TV stream various types of sports but YouTube TV is not strong enough for regional sports networks. The sad news for YouTube TV users, some popular sports channels such as YES, NESN, and Bally Sports are not included in any plans.
But, Spectrum TV is an all-rounder in sports networks and frankly maintains the availability of YES, NESN, and Bally sports. So, you don’t need to depend on FuboTV and DirecTV streams. YouTube TV hits the sports show with multiple options.
It is the home of NFL Sunday Ticket and similarly offers NBA TV and NFL Network. Of those, Spectrum TV offers NFL Network, NBA TV, NBC Network, and MLB Network. After a report about a dispute over fees, YouTube TV just dropped the MLB Network.
I think YouTube TV is a better option for sports fans who want live sports with scores and stats on menus. We found this feature missing on Spectrum TV. To catch up on all big moments, YouTube TV’s Key Plays are top-notch features for all sports fans.
YouTube TV’s Sports Plus add-on package costs $10.99 per month. It includes 14 channels with beIN Sports, NFL RedZone, Billiard TV, Fight Network, Fox Soccer Plus, Stadium, and FanDuel TV. Spectrum’s Sports View Package starts from $6 per month.
It is comparatively cheap and includes 18+ sports channels including ACC Network, Big Ten Network, BeIN Sports, ESPN College Extra, ESPNews, Fox Sports 2, and NFL Network.
Winner: Both YouTube TV (For Sports Statistics and Key Plays) and Spectrum TV (for wide sports channels and low prices)
YouTube TV vs Spectrum: DVR
For DVR space, YouTube TV is a great cable tv player. It rises with the best and unlimited cloud-based DVR specs. It offers unlimited video recordings, which will expire after 9 months. DVR is a great factor to consider when choosing a live tv streaming service.
But, Spectrum TV loses its race, featuring cloud-based DVR Plus service ($9.99/mo) to record up to 100 hours of storage. There is no unlimited DVR space option here. Also, Spectrum doesn’t specify if your family members can contribute to this storage or not.
On the other hand, Sling TV limits 50 hours of DVR, while FuboTV offers 1000 hours of recordings. So, I’m not satisfied with Spectrum’s DVR option.
Winner: YouTube TV, for a better DVR facility
YouTube TV vs Spectrum: Our Expert Assessment
YouTube TV
YouTube TV offers plenty of channels including sports and entertainment to news and network. It’s a good option for a classic live tv experience and better viewing of live sports with an on-demand library. Here’s our rating on various factors.
What we like
- No hidden fees
- 6 google accounts 1 subscription
- Access to NFL Sunday Ticket
What we dislike
- Annoying commercial on shows, can’t skip
- No Regional Sports Network (RSN) coverage
- YouTube Music and Premium not included
Local: 4/5
YouTube tv offers all local networks. Even it offers multiple Spanish-language local channels, so Spanish people can easily cope with it.
Sports: 4/5
As sports fans, we like some things on YouTube TV and others we dislike. You can buy an NFL Sunday Ticket at a regular price of $349–$389 per season for YouTube TV. It costs $449-$489 if you want only football, not live TV.
In the basic plan, I love that Golf and NBA TV channels are included as well as some popular local channels like TNT, USA Network and many more. The sports add-on comes with NFL RedZone, billiards and live poker, Fox Soccer, and OutsideTV+.
Unfortunately, MLB coverage is missing here and you will miss out on regional games. To watch DVR games in 4K mode, you must pay $10 extra per month to get an unlimited add-on.
Family and education:4/5
YouTube TV has a great plan for kids and families. You may get Disney Bundles, Nickelodeon options, and a PBS channel for kids, but Science and History are missing here. Additionally, YouTube TV offers a Hopster Learning add-on for kids and a Curiosity stream add-on for educational purposes.
News and politics: 4/5
There are a lot of political channels available on YouTube TV, but the most popular political channels like Vice or Newsmax, and the C-SPAN channel are missing here. Some English-Spanish international news can also satisfy your demand on YouTube TV. To catch up with niche broadcast channels in your area, use a compatible digital antenna.
Entertainment and lifestyle: 3.5/5
YouTube TV doesn’t have many movies, documentaries, or reality tv shows content, but still, a few are quite impressive. There is no GAC (Great American Country), A&E, Cooking Channel, and no Lifetime Movies on YouTube TV. STARZ and SHOWTIME are available as add-ons. There are no original programs we found on YouTube TV.
Spectrum TV
Spectrum TV is a budget-friendly tv streaming service, especially if you use a bundle with home internet. With a TV SELECT plan, you will get 125+ channels and 205+ channels on TV Select + Entertainment View plan. But, exact channel lineups depend on your location. So, try with the address and ZIP to find more.
What we like
- No contracts
- Simple package options
- Up to $500 contract buyout if you switch
What we dislike
- 2nd-year price hikes
- High broadcast fee
- Minor DVR facility
Local: 4/5
Spectrum is doing a great job by providing the most popular local channels throughout the market. With Spectrum TV, you get CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, The CW, and Spanish-language channels. But, a few small local networks such as Estrella TV, and Antenna TV are missing here.
Sports: 4/5
Spectrum TV can only pass the exam when it comes to talking about sports. You can watch live national games on local networks and get huge sports coverage from networks such as FS1, TNT. But, NHL Center Ice, MLB Extra Innings, and ESPN College Extra require additional charges. Though the sports view package is just $6.00/month, we expect it to be in a standard package without additional charges.
Family and education: 3/5
Spectrum TV has a few collections for kids but nothing as great as we think. Unfortunately, popular kids programs like Disney Jr. Nat Geo Wild, Nick Jr., and Cartoon Network are missing. You may get the PBS and regular Disney channels, FETV (Family Entertainment TV), and Discovery. It’s not a great deal.
News and politics: 4.5/5
Though Spectrum TV doesn’t offer a Newsmax channel in the basic plan, it has almost everything for political news. You may get MSNBC, Fox News, CNN, and other news with local channels. If you pay for live TV with Spectrum to get updated regularly, I think it would be great for you. Because Spectrum TV offers you the most hyped political news for you.
Entertainment and lifestyle: 3.5/5
Spectrum TV’s lineup is good for movies, home-improvement shows, true c*rime, and reality TV. Extra fees are applicable to get SHOWTIME, STARZ, HBO, and CINEMAX for the Entertainment View add-on. This includes OWN, NFL Network, and the Cooking Channel.
With a regular TV package price, you get channels like TLC, INSP, Hallmark, and ID (Investigation Discovery). What a Bummer, you can’t even get ION and ION Mystery here. But, still, there are 100+ channels ready for you.
YouTube TV vs Spectrum: Verdict
In this article, you’ve seen the YouTube Vs Spectrum TV face-off. You may decide on a cable tv service by seeing the only Channel Lineup. But, the right process is to analyze each term, feature, price, user experience, and many more. Here we score both services for each category. Now, you will understand which one to choose from.
| Category | YouTube TV (Points) | Spectrum TV (Points) |
|---|---|---|
| Channels | 21 out of 25 | 22 out of 25 |
| Price | 24 out of 25 | 25 out of 25 |
| Value | 10 out of 15 | 15 out of 15 |
| Sports | 13 out of 15 | 8 out of 15 |
| Expert Assessment | 9 out of 10 | 5 out of 10 |
| Picture Quality | 3 out of 5 | 3 out of 5 |
| DVR | 5 out of 5 | 5 out of 5 |
| Total | 85 out of 100 Points | 83 out of 100 Points |
Which is Better: Spectrum TV or YouTube TV?
YouTube TV is definitely best for sports fans and Spectrum TV is best for watching tv shows and movies at a budget-friendly bundle with multiple benefits. The YouTube TV Vs Spectrum TV verdict table indicates YouTube TV’s two-point win over Spectrum TV, only for its new pricing.
