YouTube has grown to become one of the most popular live TV streaming services in 2026.
A YouTube TV membership lets viewers watch live news, sports, and entertainment channels without an expensive cable package. With over 100 channels and a long list of optional add-ons, it’s a strong alternative to cable and a major player in streaming.
How much does YouTube TV cost?
| YouTube TV | |
| Base monthly price | $82.99 |
| Number of channels | 100+ |
Since launching in 2017, YouTube TV only had one package option, giving users a basic lineup of local channels, sports, news, weather, and entertainment.
The base YouTube TV plan includes you local channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox), plus a full lineup of the same channels you’ll find on cable plans. The lineup includes Fox News, CNN, Bravo, HGTV, TBS, TNT, TV Land, NBA TV, NFL Network, and more.
Recently, the service added a handful of more affordable, genre-specific plans. We’ll look at those, below.
Additional YouTube TV Plans
These are the plans currently offered by YouTube TV, in addition to the Base Plan.
The Sports Plan includes the major broadcasters (ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox) and sports networks including FS1, NBC Sports Network, all of the ESPN networks, and ESPN Unlimited (coming this fall). When football season starts up, you’ll be able to add Sunday Ticket to this plan (with an additional monthly cost.)
The Sports + News Plan gives you everything from the Sports Plan, plus a lineup of news channels including CNBC, Fox News, MSNBC, CNN, CSPAN, Bloomberg, and Fox Business.
The Entertainment Plan is for the viewers who want primetime TV, sitcoms, movies, and more. You’ll get the major broadcasters, plus Comedy Central, Bravo, Paramount, Food Network, HGTV, and more.
YouTube TV Add-Ons
YouTube TV subscribers can enhance their viewing options with additional premium channels and extras for an additional monthly fee.
YouTube TV currently has rights to Sunday Ticket, so football fans need to go through the streaming service to purchase. Sunday Ticket can be purchased on its own, but those who subscribe to YouTube TV can sign up for a discounted price.
Sports fans will also want to check out the NFL RedZone with Sports Plus Add-on, which includes NFL RedZone, BeIn Sports, Tennis Channel, and more.
Subscribers will find a long list of premium channel add-ons. The list of optional channels includes HBO Max, Paramount+, Hallmark+, Starz, Crunchyroll, and more. Subscribers can sign up through YouTube TV to keep everything on one bill and easily find and watch content.
Is YouTube TV Ad-Free?
As a live streaming TV service, YouTube TV does include commercials during live content. 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.
Does YouTube TV Have DVR?
Yes, YouTube TV has unlimited DVR space. Recordings are saved for up to 9 months.
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.
The service offers a free trial, usually for 7 days.