YouTube TV is a cord cutter’s dream. Not only will it channel to a TV, so it can be watched like any cable TV package, but it can also be accessed through laptops, tablets, and smartphones. So, those who have a long commute can watch the service on the train or bus to and from work.
You don’t have to be anchored to your home to make the most of a YouTube subscription, so you can even access it while away on vacation, as long as you aren’t traveling outside the United States. YouTube TV has no upfront costs and is easier to startup, suspend, or cancel than a regular cable TV channel package. It blends home viewing options with personal access capabilities and unhooks entertainment from being rooted to a TV set.
YouTube TV overview
Many people know about YouTube. In fact, YouTube is the most accessed streaming service in the United States. Owned by Google, YouTube is an on-demand video streaming service and is free to use. On-demand systems are one type of video streaming service. There is another category, however, which will be of more interest to cord-cutters: the live TV streaming service.
Google decided to make the most of the strong YouTube brand and create YouTube TV. This is one of those live TV systems that emulate the TV channel packages offered by cable networks. The big difference between systems like YouTube TV and the big cable networks, such as Xfinity is that the live streaming services transmit all of their content over the internet.
Cable TV providers have to maintain an expensive infrastructure and run their own cables to the doors of their customers. Video streaming services have no responsibility for the transmission medium, so they can be more flexible over payment plans. There are no upfront costs for YouTube TV and no minimum contract period.
YouTube TV is one of the most successful live TV streaming services in the United States. It is in third place behind Hulu + Live TV and Sling TV, which are in first and second place respectively. Other competitors in the market are AT&T TV Now and FuboTV.
What TV channels are included with YouTube TV?
YouTube TV is available in one plan, but it can be adapted by add-on TV channel packages. The base package includes 70 TV channels. YouTube Originals is a separate system that shows professional content hosted on YouTube without adverts. YouTube TV subscribers get free access to YouTube Originals as well.
Notable TV channels included with YouTube TV
- ABC
- AMC
- Animal Planet
- BBC America
- Bravo
- CBS
- Discovery Channel
- Food Network
- Fox
- Freeform
- FX
- FXX
- HGTV
- IFC
- Investigation Discovery
- Nat Geo Wild
- NBC
- PBS
- Smithsonian Channel
- Syfy
- Telemundo
- TLC
- Universo
- USA Network
- Sundance TV
- Travel Channel
- truTV
- WE TV
News channels included with YouTube TV
- BBC World News
- Cheddar
- CNBC
- CNN
- Fox News
- MSNBC
Sports channels included with YouTube TV
- Regional Sports Networks (from NBC SN and NESN)
- CBS Sports Network
- ESPN
- ESPN2
- ESPNEWS
- ESPNU
- Fox Sports 1
- Fox Sports 2
- Golf Channel
- NBA TV
- NBCSports Network
- MLB Network
- MotorTrend
- Olympic channel
- Tennis Channel
- TBS
- TNT
Children’s TV channels included with YouTube TV
- Cartoon Network
- Disney Channel
- Disney Junior
- Disney XD
- PBS Kids
- Universal Kids
Add-on packages
- EPIX — $6 (Includes EPIX, EPIX2, EPIX Drive-in, EPIX Hits)
- Fox Soccer Plus — $15
- Showtime — $11
- Shudder — $5
- Starz — $9
- Sundance Now — $7
BET, CMT, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, TV Land, and VH1 will all be added to YouTube TV during the second half of 2020.
YouTube TV devices
YouTube TV requires an internet connection and it will only deliver to IP addresses within the United States. The internet connection must deliver consistent speeds of 3 Mbps but 7 Mbps is better to guarantee faultless playback.
These devices can receive YouTube TV.
Streaming platforms and devices
- Chrome web browser
- Google Chromecast
- Roku
- Apple TV
- Android TV box
- Amazon Fire TV Stick
- Amazon Fire TV Cube
- Blu-ray player
Video game consoles
- Xbox One
Mobile devices
- Mobile TV app for iOS (iPhones and iPads)
- Mobile TV app for Android devices and Kindle tablets
Smart TV app
- Samsung smart TV
- LG Smart TV
- Vizio smart TV
YouTube TV also includes a cloud DVR service with unlimited DVR storage. Each recording is accessible for nine months.
YouTube TV price
The base package of 70 channels costs $49.99 per month. Each account is allowed to stream to three devices simultaneously.
Contract conditions
Although the user has to agree to terms and conditions there is no contract involved in taking up the YouTube TV service. This is a major advantage over equivalent cable TV channel packages. Cable TV systems supply equipment that is either charged for or rented and many systems also levy an installation fee. There are none of those upfront costs with YouTube TV.
The service is paid for in advance monthly and access gets cut off if the customer doesn’t pay. There are no reconnection fees or early termination fees. Some cable TV services also require a deposit or a credit check – there is none of that with YouTube TV.
How to cancel YouTube TV
To cancel YouTube TV:
- Open the YouTube TV mobile app or go to the tv.youtube.com website.
- Log in.
- Click on the settings icon. Click on the membership icon.
- Click on Pause or Cancel Membership and then click on Cancel.
YouTube TV deals
YouTube TV doesn’t offer any combo-deals and it isn’t cheaper if you buy it anywhere else other than directly from the YouTube TV website.
Free trial
The standard free trial of YouTube TV lasts for seven days. However, the service sometimes offers a longer trial period as a special promotion. That can extend to up to two weeks.
The free trial can’t be entered anonymously. It requires a full account to be set up, including payment card details. Once the free trial period ends, the customer’s card gets charged automatically for the following month’s service. This charge can be avoided by canceling the service just before the free trial period ends.
