DIRECTV STREAM vs Hulu:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Hulu had more branded searches than DIRECTV STREAM among live TV streaming services in the United States. Hulu had about 450,000 branded searches, while DIRECTV STREAM had 246,000. Hulu made up 4.3% of all live TV streaming service searches we track, and DIRECTV STREAM accounted for 2.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about live TV streaming services, Hulu appeared in four of the five answers and DIRECTV STREAM in two. Hulu was mentioned before DIRECTV STREAM in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Hulu, about 83% more searches than DIRECTV STREAM
Who does AI mention more?
Hulu, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, DIRECTV STREAM in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Hulu, named ahead of DIRECTV STREAM in 4 of 4 answers
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Top live TV streaming services in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Hulu was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. DIRECTV STREAM was mentioned in two out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in both Google AI Overviews. Hulu was listed before DIRECTV STREAM in every answer that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
YouTube TV1st
Sling TV2nd- Hulu3rd
Philo4th
Fubo5th
DIRECTV STREAM6th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- YouTube TV5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Sling TV5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Philo5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Fubo4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Hulu4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- DIRECTV STREAM2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about live TV streaming services
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which live TV streaming service should I get in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best live TV streaming services in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the cheapest live TV streaming service in the US with sports?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“live tv streaming”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“cable alternatives”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 22, 2026.
Is DIRECTV STREAM or Hulu more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for DIRECTV STREAM and Hulu by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six live TV streaming services we track, month by month, from searches in United States.
Share of searches by month for Hulu, DIRECTV STREAM. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | YouTube TV | Fubo | Sling TV | Hulu | DIRECTV STREAM | Philo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 59.8% | 14.6% | 9.8% | 9.8% | 3.6% | 2.5% |
| Nov 2025 | 51.9% | 19% | 10.4% | 12.7% | 3.8% | 2.1% |
| Dec 2025 | 59.4% | 14.5% | 9.8% | 9.8% | 3.6% | 3% |
| Jan 2026 | 59% | 17.6% | 9.6% | 7.9% | 2.9% | 3% |
| Feb 2026 | 67.7% | 11.1% | 7.4% | 7.4% | 3.3% | 2.9% |
| Mar 2026 | 58.8% | 14.3% | 6.5% | 14.3% | 3.5% | 2.5% |
| Apr 2026 | 63.2% | 15.5% | 8.5% | 5.7% | 3.8% | 3.3% |
| May 2026 | 67.3% | 13.5% | 7.4% | 5% | 3.3% | 3.5% |
| Jun 2026 | 65.4% | 19.5% | 5.9% | 3.9% | 2.6% | 2.7% |
| Jul 2026 | 64% | 19.1% | 5.8% | 4.7% | 3.1% | 3.4% |
| Aug 2026 | 64.7% | 15.8% | 7.1% | 5.8% | 3.2% | 3.4% |
| Sep 2026 | 70.9% | 14.2% | 6.4% | 4.3% | 2.3% | 1.9% |
How has the DIRECTV STREAM and Hulu comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Hulu was ahead of DIRECTV STREAM in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, DIRECTV STREAM’s share of searches among live TV streaming services in the United States moved from 3.6% to 2.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 450K to 246K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Hulu’s share of searches among live TV streaming services in the United States moved from 9.8% to 4.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.2M to 450K.
How did search popularity change for United States live TV streaming services in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Hulu lost share of searches among live TV streaming services in the United States, from 5.8% to 4.3%.
In September 2026, DIRECTV STREAM lost share of searches among live TV streaming services in the United States, from 3.2% to 2.3%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using DIRECTV STREAM’s and Hulu’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
DIRECTV STREAM
1 branded search term
- directv stream
Hulu
1 branded search term
- hulu live tv
Other head-to-heads among live TV streaming services
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