YouTube TV: Stream Cable TV Online Without Contracts – Why Is It Only Second Best?

YouTube TV is a paid streaming service separate from the free user video hosting platform. On this page, I explain what’s included in the service and the cost of plans and compare it to other streaming services.

YouTube TV Overview

YouTube TV’s only plan costs $82.99/month and comes with 100+, including all local network affiliates.

It offers the usual streaming benefits like:

• You’re not locked into a contract
• You can cancel anytime you want
• Access to on-demand shows and movies.

Plan features also include:

• 7-day free trial
• 3 simultaneous screens and 6 profiles
• Unlimited storage on a cloud DVR. However, you can only keep recordings for 9 months
• Some features can be upgraded with the 4K Plus add-on, discussed below.

Sometimes YouTube TV has special deals with longer free trials or lower-cost monthly prices for an intitial period. For example, right now you can save a total of $46 on your first two months.

What’s Included in YouTube TV’s Plan?

YouTube TV’s base plan has plenty to offer and is comparable to other streaming services.

YouTube TV’s Channel Listing

YouTube TV has a wide variety of channels with news, reality, movies, nature, family and kids, comedy, drama, finance, and Spanish-language channels. It also provides all the local channels in most areas.

Local Channels

News Channels

Sports Channels

YouTube TV offers a good selection of sports channels, except for most regional sports networks (RSNs).

Lifestyle Channels

Family Channels

Other Channels

On-Demand Content

YouTube’s on-demand content features a large library of movies plus a selection of TV shows, including premium or add-on channels. You can also watch shows on demand that were previously live, but they contain ads you can’t opt out of.

YouTube TV Add-ons

Since YouTube TV only has one plan, you can customize your plan via channel add-ons like:

• Individual premium networks like Showtime or Starz
• Add-ons like Sports Plus or Entertainment Plus which include multiple channels bundled together
• Single sports add-ons like NFL Sunday Ticket, NBA League Pass, and MLB.TV.

Premium Channels

Like the base channel lineup, there’s a wide variety. These range from British TV to movies to even some religious/inspirational programming. Prices on these vary a good deal but generally are between $5 and $20/mo.

Entertainment Plus

Entertainment Plus is a premium channel bundle of Max, STARZ, Paramount+, and Showtime, for $29.99/month. You can also get them separately for $5/month each.

NFL RedZone with Sports Plus

If you subscribe to the NFL RedZone with Sports Plus package for $10.99/month, you also get access to:

With this add-on, you also get the ability to hide sports scores for a particular team or league to prevent spoilers.

4K Plus

4K Plus is a $9.99 upgrade that gives you three benefits:

1. 4K Video: You can watch in 4K Ultra HD where available.
2. Unlimited Screens: You get an unlimited number of streams on your home network in addition to the 3 simultaneous streams you get when away from.
3. DVR Download: You are able to download some shows from your DVR list to your mobile device one at a time.

Performance and Experience

Like most modern streaming services, YouTube TV supports most of the streaming devices in use today:

• Smart TVs: Amazon Fire TV (all editions), Android TVs, Funai, Google TVs, Hisense, LG, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Samsung, Sharp, Skyworth, Sony, TCL, Toshiba, TPV, Vestel, and VIZIO.
• Streaming devices: Amazon Fire TV (all types), Android TV streaming devices, Apple TV (4th generation or higher), Chromecast, Google TV streaming devices, Roku, and TiVo.
• Web browsers: Chrome, Firefox, and Safari
• Game consoles: Xbox 360, One, and Series S|X; Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 3, 4, and 5.

Interface

YouTube TV’s interface somewhat resembles the regular YouTube interface.

It’s centered around three main tabs:

• Home (suggestions based on where you left off, what you watch, and featured content),
• Library (your DVR recordings), and
• Live (grid-style schedule by channel).

YouTube TV Alternatives

When it comes to YouTube TV alternatives, Hulu + Live TV is the closest. It doesn’t offer as many channels but it does include the outstanding Hulu on-demand library as well as Hulu’s Originals.

Sports fans will likely want to look elsewhere.

• Soccer fans may want to go with FuboTV.
• Fans of their local MLB, NBA, and NHL teams will probably be better served by DIRECTV STREAM unless they live in the handful of areas YouTube TV provides.

Sling TV offers two inexpensive plans for those who want some live TV but don’t need a full slate of channels.

Our Choice

Editor’s Choice: YouTube TV ($82.99/month)

Best for: Families who have divergent TV interests and watching habits.

I recommend YouTube TV for families who have divergent TV interests and watching habits. The unlimited DVR means that everyone can save the programming they like. Six separate profiles keeps everyone’s stuff separate and the sheer variety of channels means all ages and tastes will be able to find at least something to watch.

Recommended add-ons:

• 4K Plus ($9.99/month): Watch sports and other shows in 4K and get unlimited screens.
• Entertainment Plus ($29.99/month): Premium movie content like MAX and STARZ
• NFL RedZone with Sports Plus ($10.99/month): A well-rounded selection of sports channels.

Overall, its $82.99/month price tag is high but fair for what it offers.

Runner Up: Hulu + Live TV ($82.99/month)

Best for: People looking for an overall entertainment package

• 95+ channels
• 2 screens and unlimited cloud DVR
• Hulu Original programming and a respectable number of sports channels.

Budget Pick: Sling Blue ($60.99/month)

Best for: Households on a budget will like Sling Blue’s lower price tag.

• Comes with 40+ channels
• 3 screens and 50 hours of cloud DVR storage
• A variety of channels to replace cable

Also Great: Fubo ($79.99/month) or DIRECTV STREAM ($86.99/month)

Best for: Sports fans and MLB, NBA, and NHL fans will prefer Fubo or DIRECTV STREAM.

• Fubo has more sports channels than any other streaming service.
• DIRECTV STREAM has an unmatched selection of RSNs for local teams

FAQs

What’s the difference between YouTube TV and YouTube Premium?

YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service that can replace your cable TV subscription with 100+ channels. YouTube Premium (formerly YouTube Red) upgrades your free YouTube account by removing all ads on the free videos you watch. YouTube Premium costs $13.99/month. Other benefits include:

• Access to streaming YouTube Music
• Ability to download videos and listen to YouTube Music offline
• Ability to play videos or music in the background, when another app is open or device is locked.

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Natalie Mootz

I am the Head of Content Strategy and a Sr Editor at HotDog.com, specializing in sports content, VPNs, and behind-the-scenes research for streaming services. With a BA in Communications (TV Production) and over 15 years of experience writing about technology and entertainment, I bring a wealth of knowledge to the streaming industry, including the ability to cut through the marketing messages to get to the truth.

My expertise in sports streaming stems from my long-standing interest in technology, early adoption of streaming services, and extensive experience writing for major tech publications. My background in marketing for Fortune 500 companies, combined with my hands-on experience with various streaming platforms, makes me a valuable expert in understanding and explaining the complexities of sports streaming to audiences.

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