As 2022 gets underway YouTube TV is a fairly similar service from what it was at the end of 2021. However, with new channels like PBS being added and features like a new and improved DVR being offered, we’re here to give you the details to help you decide which service is right for you.
A YouTube TV membership enables viewers to watch live news and sports networks as well as basic entertainment and lifestyle channels. The service is owned by the popular video-sharing website of the same name, which is a subsidiary of Google. However, it is a completely separate service that provides a cable-like experience with more than 70 live YouTube TV channels, depending on the viewers location. Subscribers can also access YouTube TV add-ons that enable them to widen their viewing options.
This article will provide an overview of the YouTube TV subscription plan, the channels and packages available to subscribers, and the service’s pricing options.
How does YouTube TV work?
YouTube TV is a Google-owned live TV streaming service. It offers a monthly subscription that has no annual contract, no satellite needed, and no limits to where and when you can stream content.
YouTube TV enables subscribers to live stream the popular channels they are accustomed to watching on cable and satellite TV. It offers a cable-like experience that allows viewers to watch YouTube channels live, scroll through current programming, and record unlimited amounts of content to watch at a later date.
How much does YouTube TV cost?
| YouTube TV | |
| Monthly price | $64.99 |
| Number of channels | 70+ |
A YouTube TV membership costs $49.99 per month. Unlike several other providers in the streaming market, it does not offer different tiers or packages. All YouTube TV channels are available in the basic service, which means there is no need to upgrade or evaluate different plan options. However, subscribers can purchase more content through add-on channels.
The live TV streaming service launched at just $35 per month in February 2017. The price went up to $40 per month in March 2018, then up to $49.99 per month, and now is reached $64.99 per month with the addition of ViacomCBS channels. That price jump came as YouTube TV not only added channels including TBS, CNN, NBA TV, and the MLB Network, but also expanded to 94 markets around the US.
What major channels does YouTube TV include?
YouTube TV News Channels
YouTube TV’s channel list includes major news networks in addition to popular entertainment and lifestyle channels. It offers extensive 24-hour news coverage with networks such as:
- BBC World News
- CNBC
- CNN
- FOX News
- MSNBC
YouTube TV also has local news services ABC, CBS, and NBC.
YouTube TV Sports Channels
YouTube TV is a great option for sports fans. We even ranked it on our top list of sports streaming services. The service is also home to channels for specific sports teams, such as Sounders FC, LAFC, and Orlando City. Sports fans get access to national networks:
- CBS Sports
- ESPN
- NBC Sports Network
- ACC Network
- Big Ten Network
- Golf Channel
- MLB Network
- NBA TV
YouTube TV Entertainment Channels
The service also has a wide variety of entertainment channels. Popular entertainment channels on YouTube TV include:
- Adult Swim
- Cartoon Network
- Investigation Discovery
- TNT
- truTV
- Turner Classic Movies
There are also plenty of lifestyle and wildlife channels, such as Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, Food Network, HGTV, MotorTrend, and Travel Channel.
What add-ons for premium channels and extras does YouTube TV have?
YouTube TV subscribers can enhance their viewing options with additional premium channels and extras. The price of these channels will be added to their regular monthly subscription fee.
Premium channel add-ons
YouTube TV subscribers can add extra movies and TV shows to their package by purchasing premium add-on channels SHOWTIME ($7/mo.) and Starz ($9/mo.) Further entertainment options include British TV specialist channel Acorn ($6/mo.), AMC Premiere ($5/mo.), Curiosity Stream ($3/mo.), and Sundance Now ($7/mo.) In February 2020, the service announced plans to offer Cinemax and HBO soon.
Sports fans also have more options with add-on channels FOX Soccer Plus ($15/mo.) and NBA League Pass ($40/mo.)
What about local networks on YouTube TV?
The YouTube TV local channels that viewers have available will depend on their location. When they sign up for the service, users must provide their ZIP code, which then defines the local channels they are able to watch — such as ABC and CBS. Another option is to use an antenna. Viewers can use a Tablo DVR or HDHomeRun device to stream from an antenna to a TV.
Are there commercials on YouTube TV or is it ad-free?
As a live streaming TV service, YouTube TV does include commercials. The service provides a cable-like experience, which means it broadcasts the same channels and TV shows as regular cable. And it also shows the same commercials. However, one option around this is to record shows using YouTube TV’s Cloud DVR feature and fast-forward through the ad breaks.
Can I DVR my shows or watch on-demand content on YouTube TV?
The YouTube TV DVR service is one of the best in the online video streaming market. Its subscribers can record unlimited amounts of content with no caps on simultaneous shows and keep them for up to 9 months. That means YouTube TV users can record all of their favorite shows to watch back as and when it suits them and fast forward through the ad breaks.
YouTube TV’s plan does not include any on-demand capabilities, other than enabling users to store and record their favorite shows to watch at a later date. However, add-on channels such as Acorn ($6/mo.), SHOWTIME ($7/mo.), and Starz ($9/mo.) do provide on-demand content.
Learn more about watching YouTube TV in 4k here.
The Full YouTube TV Channel List
The YouTube TV channel lineup is as follows:
- ABC
- ACC Network
- AMC
- Adult Swim
- Animal Planet
- BBC
- BBC World News
- BET
- Big Ten Network
- Bravo
- CBS
- CBS Sports
- CNBC
- CNBC World
- CNN
- Comedy Central
- CMT
- Cartoon Network
- Cheddar Big News
- Cheddar Business
- Cheddar News
- Cozi TV
- Discovery
- Disney
- Disney Junior
- Disney XD
- E!
- ESPN
- ESPN 2
- ESPN U
- ESPNews
- FOX
- FOX Business
- FOX News Channel
- FOX Sports 1
- FOX Sports 2
- FX
- FXM
- FXX
- Food Network
- FOX Sports
- Freeform
- Golf Channel
- HGTV
- HLN
- IFC
- Investigation Discovery
- LAFC
- Local Now
- MTV
- MLB Game of the Week
- MLB Network
- MSNBC
- Motortrend
- MyNetworkTV
- NatGeo Wild
- National Geographic
- NBA TV
- NBC
- NBC Sports
- NBC Universo
- NBCSN
- NECN
- NESN
- Newsy
- Nickelodeon
- Olympic Channel
- Orlando City
- Oxygen
- Paramount Network
- POP
- SEC ESPN Network
- SNY
- Smithsonian Channel
- Sounders FC
- Start TV
- SundanceTV
- SyFy
- TBS
- TV Land
- Turner Classic Movies
- TLC
- TNT
- TYT
- Tastemade
- Telemundo
- Tennis Channel
- The CW
- Travel Channel
- TruTV
- USA
- Universal Kids
- VH1
- WE TV
- YouTube Originals
Should you cut the cord for YouTube TV?
YouTube TV is a solid option for those looking for a comprehensive cable replacement. It offers several major news and sports networks, along with popular entertainment and lifestyle channels. Subscribers can also access a range of YouTube TV premium channels, which offer even more movies, sports, and TV shows.
The live streaming service provides a cable-like experience without requiring a set-top box and at a fraction of the price of cable. YouTube TV is simple to watch via web browsers and apps for mobile phones, tablets, gaming consoles, and smart TVs, and it provides a consistently strong user experience.
A YouTube TV subscription costs $64.99/mo., and the service offers new subscribers a seven-day free trial.