- DEAL ALERT: For a limited time, YouTube TV is offering new customers a free Chromecast with Google TV after your first payment of $64.99. Get started here.
- YouTube TV typically offers a free trial period of one or two weeks, with no promo code necessary.
- NEWS ALERT: YouTube TV has dropped Fox Regional Sports Networks from its channel lineup as of October 1, 2020. Details here.
- YouTube TV has increased its starting price from $50 to $65 per month.
If you want to save money by cutting the cord without giving up your must-have channels, YouTube TV is a popular choice to consider in 2020.
The streaming TV service is one of a handful of options, including Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV and AT&T TV Now.
What Is YouTube TV? Team Clark Reviews the Live TV Streaming Service
For $65 per month, a YouTube TV membership provides access to more than 85 broadcast and cable networks — no contract or cable box required.
It was money expert Clark Howard’s favorite streaming TV service until a June 2020 price hike:
“This is one of those moments when you have to look at alternatives because what was a great deal at $50 becomes no deal at all at $65,” Clark says. “Unless you like a ton of the new channels, look at the other options that are cheaper than YouTube TV’s new $65 a month.”
Team Clark has repeatedly tested YouTube TV and the other major live TV streaming services. Read on to learn what you need to know before you sign up!
Table of Contents:
1. What Channels Do You Get With YouTube TV?
When you’re trying to choose a cable or satellite TV alternative, the list of channels is probably the most important factor.
YouTube TV’s channel lineup features more sports networks than most of its competitors. They include ESPN, Fox Sports 1 & 2, Big Ten Network, CBS Sports Network, MLB Network, NBCSN, SEC Network and NBA TV.
In September 2020, YouTube TV added NFL Network to its base plan. For even more sports, YouTube TV launched a Sports Plus add-on for $10.99 per month that includes NFL RedZone, Fox College Sports and several others.
Local stations and regional sports networks are offered in many cities. Check YouTube TV’s website to confirm.
YouTube TV Channel List
| YouTube TV: $64.99/month |
|---|
| ABC |
| ABC News Live |
| ACC Network (ACCN) |
| AMC |
| Animal Planet |
| BBC America |
| BBC World News |
| BET |
| Big Ten Network (BTN) |
| Bravo |
| Cartoon Network |
| CBS |
| CBS Sports Network |
| Cheddar |
| CMT |
| CNBC |
| CNBC World |
| CNN |
| Comedy Central |
| Comet |
| Court TV |
| Cozi TV |
| CW |
| Discovery Channel |
| Disney Channel |
| Disney Junior |
| Disney XD |
| E! |
| ESPN |
| ESPN2 |
| ESPN3 |
| ESPNews |
| ESPNU |
| Food Network |
| FOX |
| Fox Business Network |
| Fox News Channel |
| Fox Sports 1 (FS1) |
| Fox Sports 2 (FS2) |
| Freeform |
| FX |
| FXM |
| FXX |
| Golf Channel |
| HGTV |
| HLN |
| IFC |
| Investigation Discovery (ID) |
| Local Now |
| MLB Network |
| MotorTrend |
| MSNBC |
| MTV |
| National Geographic |
| Nat Geo Wild |
| NBA TV |
| NBC |
| NBCLX |
| NBC News Now |
| NBCSN |
| Newsy |
| NFL Network |
| Nickelodeon |
| Olympic Channel |
| OWN |
| Oxygen |
| Paramount Network |
| PBS |
| PBS Kids |
| Pop |
| SEC Network |
| Smithsonian Channel |
| Start TV |
| Sundance TV |
| SYFY |
| Tastemade |
| TBS |
| TCM (Turner Classic Movies) |
| Telemundo |
| Tennis Channel |
| TLC |
| TNT |
| Travel Channel |
| truTV |
| TV Land |
| TYT Network |
| Universal Kids |
| Universo |
| USA |
| VH1 |
| WE tv |
2. Does YouTube TV Include Unlimited DVR?
YouTube TV’s navigation makes it easy to find live TV shows, but it’s equally as simple to record content to watch at a later time with its cloud DVR function.
Subscribers can record as many shows as they want to and recordings are kept for up to nine months.
In the video below, we demonstrate how to navigate the service’s cloud DVR and some of the other features like its live TV guide, which looks a lot like what you get with cable.
3. How Do You Stream YouTube TV on Your TV?
You can always watch YouTube TV on your phone, tablet or computer, but what if you just want to stream your favorite shows on the big screen?
The streaming service’s list of supported devices for TV includes Google Chromecast, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and some Samsung and LG TVs.
If you don’t already have a streaming device, Clark recommends the $30 Roku Express because it’s cheap and easy to use. Click here to read our Quick Tips for First-Time Streamers.
4. Can a Family Share YouTube TV?
There are six accounts included with a YouTube TV membership for family members and roommates to receive their own unique recommendations and cloud DVR. Each household can watch up to three streams at a time.
If you want to use the service while traveling, you can access certain programs based on your location. Learn more here.
Pros and Cons of YouTube TV
YouTube TV has a great lineup of sports networks for $65 a month, but Sling TV offers a variety of sports, news and entertainment networks at a cheaper price. Hulu + Live TV is also less expensive than YouTube TV.
Aside from the price, there’s a lot to like about YouTube TV. I didn’t experience error messages or buffering while streaming over an internet connection with roughly 60 Mbps download speed.
The service recommends a download speed of at least 13 Mbps to reliably stream HD video.
Unlimited DVR is a bright spot for YouTube TV because some of its competitors place limits on storage or charge extra for it. Personalized DVR for family members is another benefit.
Most major streaming devices are compatible, with Amazon Fire TV added in late 2019.
YouTube TV: Pros and Cons |
|
| Pros | Cons |
| Great overall channel lineup | Monthly price increased from $50 to $65 in June 2020 |
| Lots of sports: ESPN, FS1, FS2, NFL Network, MLB Network, NBA TV and more | |
If you’re thinking about switching from cable to YouTube TV, take advantage of the free trial first. If you don’t like it, just keep trying other services until you find one that’s a good fit. They all have free trials!
Learn more and compare your options in Team Clark’s guide to the best live TV streaming plans and deals!
