Observed Signal · Jul 6, 2026 · Survey · Source: Cord Cutters News · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Survey: YouTube TV Dominates Live-TV Streaming
Cord Cutters News surveyed over 1,000 readers about which live-TV streaming service they use. YouTube TV captured 35.7% of responses — a larger share than all listed competitors combined (29.4%). Other services' shares included Frndly TV (9.5%), DIRECTV (5.1%), Sling TV (4.7%), Philo (4.7%), Hulu + Live TV (3.8%) and Fubo (1.6%). The article notes YouTube TV reportedly serves more than 11 million subscribers and highlights features like unlimited cloud DVR, three simultaneous streams, and multiview. The piece frames these results as evidence of continued cord-cutting momentum and the strengthening role of streaming/CTV services in replacing legacy cable subscriptions.
A reader survey showing YouTube TV dominance and a reported 11M+ subscribers signals continued CTV growth and advertiser reach implications, but the result is based on a single publisher's reader panel rather than a broader industry measurement.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Cord Cutters News surveyed more than 1,000 readers about live-TV streaming usage.
- YouTube TV received 35.7% of survey responses, larger than the combined total for the other services listed (29.4%).
- Frndly TV accounted for 9.5% of responses; DIRECTV 5.1%.
- Sling TV and Philo each recorded 4.7% of responses; Hulu + Live TV recorded 3.8%; Fubo recorded 1.6%.
- YouTube TV is reported in the article as serving more than 11 million subscribers.
Connected Companies & Entities
9 Entities mapped“YouTube TV captured 35.7 percent of the responses....”
“Cord Cutters News recently asked over 1,000 of our readers what live TV streaming service they used....”
“Frndly TV stood at 9.5 percent....”
“DIRECTV reached 5.1 percent....”
“Sling TV and Philo each registered 4.7 percent....”
“Sling TV and Philo each registered 4.7 percent....”
“Hulu + Live TV came in at 3.8 percent....”
“Fubo recorded 1.6 percent....”
“Please follow us on Facebook and X for more news, tips, and reviews....”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
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YouTube TV Tops Cord‑Cutting Survey
A survey of more than 2,300 cord cutters found YouTube TV is the clear favorite for live TV streaming: 68% named it the best service, versus 16% for Hulu + Live TV, 11% for DIRECTV and 4% for Fubo. The article notes YouTube TV’s strong appeal for users seeking local channels, unlimited DVR and an easy-to-use interface, and says its preference share alone exceeds the combined support for its three main rivals. Brief service histories are provided: YouTube TV launched in April 2017 (by Google) and reportedly passed 10 million subscribers by late 2025; Fubo began in January 2015 as a soccer-focused service and broadened in 2017; Hulu introduced its live TV product in 2017 and is primarily owned by Disney; DIRECTV began as a satellite service in 1994 and was acquired by AT&T in 2015.
Cable Declines as YouTube TV Surges; Spectrum Loses Subscribers
Cord Cutters News published a roundup on April 27, 2026, reporting that traditional cable TV continues to decline while streaming live-TV services gain ground. The piece highlights that Spectrum is again losing TV customers and that YouTube TV is on track in 2026 to surpass Comcast and Spectrum to become the largest provider of live TV in the U.S. The article also links to related industry items including Nexstar’s appeal of a court order blocking a large local‑station merger, FCC rule changes affecting cellphone connectivity, and content/offer updates from Pluto, Apple TV (via Walmart’s onn Google TV devices), and other operators.
Which Live TV Streaming Service Is Best — July 2026
This CordCuttersNews comparison (updated July 10, 2026; published July 11, 2026) evaluates six major live TV streaming services — DIRECTV, Fubo (FuboTV), Hulu + Live TV, Philo, Sling TV, and YouTube TV — across channel lineups, packages/pricing, DVR policies, and simultaneous-stream limits. The article lists base plan prices for each service, enumerates which national and specialty channels appear on each platform (noting region-specific RSNs and local-channel variability), and summarizes included DVR durations and concurrent-stream allowances. It provides consumers a side-by-side reference of features and costs to help choose a service based on channels, sports availability, recording limits, and multi-device viewing rules.
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