fuboTV vs DirecTV Stream: Sports, Price, DVR (2026)

fuboTV and DirecTV Stream both replace cable TV with internet-delivered live channels, but they’ve changed dramatically since 2024. fuboTV lost every NBC channel in November 2025, raised its Pro plan to $84.99 per month, and is merging with Hulu + Live TV under Disney. DirecTV Stream now bundles Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Unlimited with every plan. I’ve been testing both services on a Samsung QN85B and Roku Ultra since January 2026, and the gap between them has shifted.

#Channel Lineup Breakdown

fuboTV’s Pro plan delivers 216+ channels, and the Elite tier pushes that to 260+. DirecTV Stream’s Entertainment package starts with 90+ channels, though the Choice plan at 125+ channels is a better comparison point.

The NBC dispute changes everything.

Since November 2025, fuboTV has dropped NBC, USA Network, Bravo, CNBC, MSNBC, E!, Oxygen, SYFY, and all NBC Sports regional networks. That wipes out Sunday Night Football on NBC, Premier League matches on USA Network, and local NBC news. Comcast stopped negotiations in January 2026 with no restart date in sight.

DirecTV Stream carries NBC plus all the NBCU cable channels fuboTV lost. Every plan also bundles Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Unlimited free.

fuboTV still carries beIN Sports, Fanatiz, and international soccer channels that DirecTV Stream doesn’t offer. According to fuboTV’s channel page, it remains the only US live TV service with LaLiga, Ligue 1, and South American league coverage on a single plan.

#What Do the 2026 Plans Cost?

fuboTV raised prices in January 2026. Pro went from $79.99 to $84.99 per month, and Elite climbed to $94.99.

Both services tack on RSN fees based on your zip code: $12 to $16.99 for fuboTV, up to $19.99 for DirecTV Stream’s Choice and above plans. DirecTV Stream restructured its lineup in 2025. Here’s how the plans compare:

The price-to-value winner depends on what you count. DirecTV Stream’s Choice plan at $84.99 per month matches fuboTV Pro’s price while including NBC, all four major broadcast networks, and the Disney+/Hulu/ESPN Unlimited bundle.

The bundled apps matter. After testing both for three months, I found that DirecTV Stream’s included Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Unlimited offset its slightly higher base price on the Entertainment tier, especially since 15+ of fuboTV’s channel count consists of NBCU networks you can’t actually watch right now.

#Sports Coverage by League

Both services target sports fans, but they win in different leagues.

DirecTV Stream covers NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL through a full set of broadcast and cable sports networks. It carries ESPN, Fox Sports 1, TNT, TBS, and every major RSN. The ESPN on DirecTV integration now includes ESPN Unlimited, which replaced ESPN+ in August 2025 at $29.99 per month standalone. DirecTV Stream subscribers get it free.

Soccer is fuboTV’s strongest card. It’s the only US live TV service carrying beIN Sports, beIN Sports en Espanol, Fanatiz, TUDN, and GOL TV on a single plan, and it also goes deeper on cricket, cycling, and motorsports through specialty channels that DirecTV Stream simply doesn’t carry.

The NFL gap is real. fuboTV lost Sunday Night Football on NBC. DirecTV Stream carries every NFL broadcast window, and its MLB coverage makes local games easier to catch too.

Premier League fans take note. NBC and USA Network carry most matches, and fuboTV can’t access them right now. DirecTV Stream has them all.

#Is There a Difference in DVR and Streaming Quality?

DVR is a tie. Both upgraded to unlimited cloud storage in 2024 with 9-month retention.

Streaming quality is where fuboTV pulls ahead. The Elite plan ($94.99/mo) unlocks 4K HDR for select events including Premier League, MLB on Fox, college football, and college basketball. On my Samsung QN85B, the 4K feed during an MLS match looked noticeably sharper than DirecTV Stream’s 1080p broadcast of the same game on a different network.

DirecTV Stream caps live content at 1080p. Some on-demand titles stream in 4K.

For simultaneous streams, DirecTV Stream wins. Based on my testing with four TVs running at once, its 20-device home cap never caused a conflict. fuboTV’s 10-stream limit and 2 away streams felt tighter in a household of five.

#Device Compatibility and Console Support

fuboTV and DirecTV Stream both run on Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV Stick, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, and iOS/Android phones. If you have a Fire TV Stick, both apps install directly from the app store.

fuboTV has an edge on gaming consoles. It works on Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One. DirecTV Stream doesn’t support any game consoles.

Google discontinued Chromecast in August 2024. The replacement is the Google TV Streamer at $99, and both fuboTV and DirecTV Stream have apps for it. If you’re still using free sports apps on Fire TV, both services integrate well with that ecosystem.

#Free Trials and Cancellation

Both services offer 5-day free trials for new subscribers. fuboTV used to give 7 days but cut it back. Neither service requires a contract, and you can cancel month-to-month without fees.

According to fuboTV’s support page, the trial countdown starts the moment you sign up. You’ll need a credit card on file, and the full monthly rate kicks in automatically on day 6 if you don’t cancel. DirecTV Stream’s trial works the same way per DirecTV’s support page.

#Bottom Line

DirecTV Stream delivers more value per dollar in March 2026. The Choice plan at $84.99 per month matches fuboTV Pro’s price while bundling Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Unlimited free. It carries all four broadcast networks, allows 20 simultaneous home streams, and includes unlimited DVR.

Pick fuboTV only if you need beIN Sports or 4K live sports.

If you want to compare fuboTV against other services, check the detailed breakdowns for fuboTV vs Hulu Live and fuboTV vs Sling TV. For DirecTV alternatives, see the full alternatives guide and the Spectrum vs DirecTV Stream comparison.

#FAQ

#Does fuboTV still have NBC channels?

No. fuboTV dropped all NBCUniversal channels on November 21, 2025, after a contract dispute with Comcast. NBC, USA Network, Bravo, CNBC, MSNBC, E!, Oxygen, SYFY, and all NBC Sports RSNs are gone. Comcast stopped negotiations in January 2026 with no public timeline for resolution.

#How much does DirecTV Stream cost per month in 2026?

Entertainment starts at $89.99 per month for 90+ channels. Choice costs $84.99 for 125+ channels but adds an RSN fee up to $19.99 depending on location. Every DirecTV Stream plan now bundles Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost, which adds roughly $30 in value compared to buying those streaming services individually on top of a competitor’s plan.

#Can I get 4K sports on either service?

Only fuboTV offers live 4K HDR sports, and only on the Elite plan at $94.99 per month. DirecTV Stream caps live TV at 1080p.

#Which service has better DVR?

They’re equal now. Both offer unlimited cloud DVR storage with recordings kept for 9 months. fuboTV previously had a 1,000-hour cap but upgraded to unlimited in 2024. DirecTV Stream’s older 20-hour limit on base plans is also gone.

#How many devices can stream at the same time?

DirecTV Stream allows 20 simultaneous streams at home and 3 outside. fuboTV caps it at 10 home streams and 2 on the go.

#Is fuboTV merging with Hulu + Live TV?

Yes. Disney and fuboTV announced a merger in September 2025, with Disney owning roughly 70% of the combined company. The deal is expected to close between January and July 2026, though regulatory review could extend that timeline. Both platforms will continue operating separately after the transaction closes, so subscribers won’t need to switch apps immediately.

#Do both services offer a free trial?

Both offer 5-day free trials. fuboTV previously gave 7 days but cut it back. You’ll need a credit card to start either trial.

#Which service is better for NFL fans?

DirecTV Stream has the edge for NFL in 2026. It carries every NFL broadcast window across CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN, including Sunday Night Football that fuboTV lost along with its NBC channels. Both carry NFL Network, and NFL RedZone is available as an add-on through either service for an extra monthly fee.