The past decade or so has been pretty tough for traditional cable and satellite companies, as millions of people have cut the cord and tried different avenues to watch live sports, news, and all those great shows. And while some of the best streaming services like Netflix, Max, and Prime Video give subscribers access to some of the greatest small-screen originals, their live offerings are oftentimes mediocre at best, leaving viewers wanting more. That’s where internet-based TV services like YouTube TV come into the picture, serving as sort of a middle ground between the two models.
If you’ve been on the fence about signing up for YouTube TV over the years, or maybe want to return after putting your subscription on hold for a while, stick around because we’re about to break down everything you need to know about the platform. From its subscription tiers to its offerings and so much more, there’s a lot to unpack.
What Is YouTube TV?
Since its February 2017 debut, YouTube TV has become one of the most popular cable alternatives because it offers customers a lot without being locked in for multi-year contracts, extreme rate increases, and all that equipment bogging down your minimalistic TV viewing area. Instead of a traditional cable setup from providers like Comcast and Spectrum, YouTube TV is an app that can run on most mobile devices, streaming boxes, smart TVs, and video game consoles and has a user interface that is essentially the same across all platforms.
How Much Does YouTube TV Cost?
There are a couple of different options to choose from when picking out the best YouTube TV subscription for your needs. The Base Plan, which grants you access to 122 channels, allows up to six accounts per household, three simultaneous streams, and thousands of hours of on-demand movies and shows, is going to cost you $72.99 per month. There is a five-day free trial that’s available if you want to test out the service before committing to the full price.
Another option is the Spanish Plan, but its $34.99 per month subscription only gives you access to 34 channels. However, you can still use other features like unlimited DVR, YouTube TV’s on-demand service, and a seven-day free trial with this plan.
There is a 4K Plus add-on for both of these packages, and it gives you access to 4K quality movies and shows. This bonus feature is $4.99 per month for the first year and then $9.99 per month after that.
There Are A Ton Of Channels, Including Premium Add-ons, Local News And Sports
There are a ton of channels included with YouTube TV, with 122 being offered with the Base Plan. And yes, this does include local networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox in a majority of the markets that carry the service. Sports, cartoons, news, and just about everything imaginable is at your fingertips.
In addition to the 4K Plus add-on, there are dozens of other channels and programs you can add to your base YouTube TV subscription. Similar to an Amazon subscription, which allows you to add services like Max, MGM+, Paramount+, and others, YouTube TV offers all kinds of premium add-ons for an additional monthly fee. Everything from channels like Starz and Cinemax to more niche offerings like PokerGo and Stingray DJazz can all be added. It should be noted that each of these channels has a seven-day trial so you can test the waters.
Another big get for YouTube TV is the NFL Sunday Ticket program, an optional add-on that gives you access to every Sunday out-of-market football game throughout the season, which ends up being around 160 matchups. You’ll also have access to all of your local televised games (72 games per season), Sunday and Monday night games (36 per season), every round of the NFL playoffs, and even preseason games if that’s your thing. As with other add-ons, subscribers will need to pay an extra fee for NFL Sunday Ticket.
YouTube TV Comes With Free Unlimited DVR Storage
Boasted as the only DVR with unlimited storage, YouTube TV provides customers with a free, cloud-based storage system that is unlimited. Yes, unlimited.
If you go with the 4K Plus plan, you can download the DVR recordings for offline viewing, but this option is not available if you just have the Base subscription. If you want to binge your favorite show while on vacation, you’ll have to pay the additional fee to do so.
There Are No Channel Numbers, But Guide Customization Is Great
One thing you should know about YouTube TV is that it doesn’t have the traditional channel numbers like a traditional setup. Since you are watching shows on an app on a device that doesn't come with a remote with channel buttons, you can't really flip through channels like you are used to.
You get used to the layout not long after you first start messing around with YouTube TV, and then you discover the ridiculous amount of customization at your fingertips. I'm talking about custom orders split up by your favorite channels, certain programming, and best of all, you can delete channels from the listing in the guide. Being able to delete channels that I never watch or have no desire to watch has made my television viewing experience that much more streamlined. There are custom guides tied to each profile.
No Cable Install Is Required, But You Will Need A Compatible Device To Watch YouTube TV
The last thing you should know is that there is no equipment or installation process with YouTube TV. Instead of waiting for a technician from the cable company to come out and install miles of wires hooked up to a cable box or device (that has rental fees), all you have to do is sign up, install the app on a compatible video-viewing device (Roku, Apple TV, PlayStation, Xbox One, etc.), and start watching. You'll be up and running in no time at all.
The YouTube TV website has a full list of compatible devices including smart TVs, streaming boxes, and video game consoles.
I hope all of this makes sense and helps you decide if now is the time to cut the cord and sign up for YouTube TV. After you get everything set up, make sure to check out our 2024 TV schedule and record all your favorite shows.
