YouTube TV: Live TV & more vs its rivals

Side-by-side comparison against YouTube TV: Live TV & more's closest competitors — identity, store metrics, ratings & sentiment, and strategic intel.

DIRECTV
Contender
Sling: Live TV, Sports & News
Contender
Philo: Live & On-Demand TV
Peer
ViX: TV, Deportes y Noticias
New Kid
Frndly TV
New Kid
Core Identity
DeveloperMehmet BayramHulu, LLCDIRECTV, Inc.Sling TV L.L.C.fuboTV Inc.PhiloPeacock TV LLCUnivision Interactive MediaFrndly TV
CategoryEntertainmentEntertainmentEntertainment-Entertainment-Entertainment--
PlatformAndroid, iOSiOS, AndroidiOS, Android-iOS, Android-iOS, Android--
Store Metrics
Rating3.6 / 54.6 / 54.6 / 5-4.5 / 5-4.7 / 5--
Ratings Count59,0021,429,426560,624-109,641-3,329,954--
PriceFreeFreeFree-Free-Free--
Release DateApr 5, 2017Jun 29, 2010Nov 30, 2016-Sep 8, 2014-Jul 14, 2020--
Last UpdatedApr 22, 2026Apr 6, 2026Apr 25, 2026-Mar 27, 2026-Apr 13, 2026--
Sentiment & Reviews
Sentimentnegativeterribleterrible-terrible-negative--
Score25/10018/10020/100-25/100-32/100--
Praises
  • Broad channel variety provides entertainment value for sports fans and general viewers alike
  • Cloud DVR functionality allows viewers to record and watch shows on their own schedule
  • Content Variety
  • Mobile streaming capabilities allow users to watch live television content while away from home
-
  • Diverse sports content and channel variety provide value for fans of specific leagues
  • High quality video streaming performance during live sports broadcasts
-
  • Content Library
  • Ease of Use
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Complaints
  • Frequent playback stuttering and screen flickering disrupt the viewing experience post-update
  • Rising subscription costs create significant friction for users on fixed or limited incomes
  • Excessive Ad Load
  • Technical Instability
  • Frequent application crashes and freezing require manual resets or uninstalls following the latest update
-
  • Predatory subscription cancellation flows prevent users from terminating their recurring billing cycles
  • Technical instability and frequent buffering disrupt live viewing experiences across multiple devices
-
  • Excessive Advertisements
  • Technical Instability
--
Requests
  • Mobile app interface requires a dedicated mute button and a jump to live feature
-
  • Granular DVR timer management including specific channel selection and extended recording durations
-
  • Transparent communication regarding channel availability and regional sports network access
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Strategic Intel
Strengths
  • Unlimited DVR storage creates high switching costs
  • Multiview interface drives high-value sports engagement
  • Six-account household sharing lowers per-user cost barriers
  • Deep library of next-day network TV and award-winning Originals
  • Strong ecosystem integration with Disney+ and ESPN+
  • High-value Live TV brand recognition
  • Sports Central hub increases session frequency via real-time utility
  • Modular genre packs lower paid-conversion barriers
  • Cloud DVR integration increases long-term switching costs
-
  • Exclusive RSN distribution rights create a B2B barrier against national-only streaming rivals
  • Unlimited Cloud DVR retention loop reduces churn for sports-focused users
-
  • Exclusive Bravo catalog dominance
  • Strong live sports rights (Premier League, NFL)
  • High grossing performance (#7 Overall US)
--
Weaknesses
  • Price point of $82.99/month exceeds category median
  • Playback stuttering post-update erodes core reliability
  • Difficult cancellation flow increases support overhead
  • Technical instability on TV platforms (freezing/crashing)
  • Inefficient ad-insertion logic
  • Outdated search and discovery UI
  • Frequent crashes and freezing post-update
  • DVR data loss post-update
  • Aggressive ad insertion disrupts viewing
-
  • 3.1★ Android rating reflects systemic technical instability
  • Opaque cancellation flows drive high-frequency complaints in reviews
-
  • High ad frequency on paid tiers
  • Persistent technical instability (audio sync/crashes)
  • US-only geographic restriction
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Pricingsubscriptionsubscriptionfreemium-subscription-subscription--
MomentumIntenseMaintenanceActive-Intense-Maintenance--
Update Cadence5 versions, ~7d avg3 versions, ~21d avg5 versions, 5 majors/6mo, ~12d avg-5 versions-4 versions, ~14d avg--

Compare YouTube TV: Live TV & more head-to-head

Disclosure: Independent intel to help mobile builders succeed.

AI-powered analysis with editorial review, built from publicly available sources. Marlvel.ai is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by YouTube TV: Live TV & more, its developer, the app publisher, Apple, or Google Play. All trademarks, logos, and screenshots referenced remain the property of their respective owners.

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