Considering signing up to stream YouTube TV? Here’s a basic rundown of the service. 
Intrigued? Here’s everything you need to know about YouTube TV.
1 Month$64.99Sports Plus$10.99/mo.How much does YouTube TV cost?
One of the best aspects of YouTube TV is the time you’ll save picking a package, because the company only offers one. YouTube TV service costs $64.99 per month for a nearly 80-channel lineup featuring some of the biggest channels on the market. Families will appreciate big names like Animal Planet, Cartoon Network, all three Disney channels, Food, and PBS Kids.
Sports fans can rest easy knowing they’ll never miss a big game, thanks to one of the best sports packages in streaming. The package comes with sports favorites like ESPN, FS1, MLB Network, and NBA TV, while also making space for college sports networks and top-flight soccer.
Looking for more grown-up entertainment? You’ll find FX, AMC, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, Adult Swim, and more ready and waiting. There are certainly a few channels in the lineup that will make you say “huh?” such as the Orlando Channel, but for the most part, YouTube TV’s lineup is killer from top to bottom. There are even local channels which we’ll cover a little more deeply later.
YouTube TV Streaming Devices
Part of what makes YouTube TV great is that it works on every major streaming device on the market. Here’s everything you can use to start watching.
What is on YouTube TV?
While YouTube TV doesn’t make any of its own original shows, YouTube TV subscribers get access to YouTube Red. YouTube Red is the company’s in-house production house, making original series and movies with celebrities and YouTube personalities. Technically this isn’t YouTube TV content, but it’s included with your subscription so it counts.
With over 70 channels to choose from, there’s always something to watch or discovery on YouTube TV. Here’s what you get with your subscription. Note that local channel availability depends on where you live.
Missing out on local TV channels is the only real downside of streaming TV, but you don’t even have to do that with YouTube TV. In most markets, YouTube TV subscribers will be able to access every major local broadcast network. To see what local channels you can access via YouTube TV in your market, enter your zip code here.
Add-ons: Which add-ons can you get with YouTube TV?
All of these add-ons integrate into the YouTube TV interface. You’ll even see recommendations on add-on movies and shows you might like alongside your recommended channel content.
Acorn: $6 per monthAMC Premiere: $5 per monthCuriosity Stream: $3 per monthEpix: $6 per monthFox Soccer Plus: $15 per monthHBO Max: $14.99 per monthNBA League Pass: $40 per monthShowtime: $11 per monthShudder: $6 per monthSTARZ: $9 per monthSundance Now: $7 per monthUMC: $5 per monthUrban Movie Channel: $5 per monthNFL RedZone fans, rejoice! The YouTube Sports Plus package brings seven sports channels for $10.99 a month. Here’s the list of Sports Plus channels.
NFL RedZoneFox College SportsFox Soccer PlusGol TVMav TVStadiumTVGDVR and multiple screens
Of all the streaming TV services, YouTube TV has the most generous DVR on the market. Users gets unlimited DVR space as part of their accounts. Even better, each account can have up to six separate user profiles, each of which also gets its own unlimited DVR. That means you’ll never have to worry about a member of the family accidentally recording over your favorite shows.
While YouTube TV allows up to six different user profiles it limits the number of people who can use it at once. YouTube TV subscribers can only stream on up to three different devices simultaneously. If you have a big family the kids might have to share.
On-demand and offline content
Like all streaming TV services, YouTube TV draws its on-demand content from the channels in your package. There are thousands of movies and TV shows to choose from, though it’s ultimately up to the networks to determine what is included. Some networks only include the three most recently aired episodes, while others offer full seasons of shows. You’ll need to browse around to see what’s offered.
There is currently no offline content offered on YouTube TV.
YouTube TV vs. The Competition
When looking at streaming TV services, you need to think about what you need from your package. Is cost the most important thing? Or will you splurge for a slightly nicer package? Sling TV offers smaller packages of channels at a discount from normal streaming TV packages, starting at $30 per month and topping out at $45 per month. For just $30 a month, for example, you can get 47 channels with Sling Blue. It’s a great deal.
But if you’re looking for more, the deals start to look a little less sterling. The $45 Sling Orange + Blue package includes 53 channels and DVR. But that’s also only $5 cheaper than YouTube TV charges for 70+ channels. YouTube TV also includes unlimited DVR, where Sling gives you just 10 hours. Unless you’re trying to get by on a budget, YouTube TV is the clear winner.
Once upon a time, DirecTV Now was the best streaming TV service on the market, but those days are over. Its basic package starts at $65 per month with fewer channels than YouTube TV and less DVR storage space. If you want more channels and don’t mind paying for them, AT&T TV Now offers giant packages that will deliver. But in comparing the baseline plans, YouTube TV excels.
For $64.99 per month, FuboTV gives subscribers more than 100 channels, including local channels and cloud DVR. Membership also comes with 30 hours of cloud DVR, though more can be added for $9.99 per month.
Where FuboTV really shines is sports, with a number of channels covering games and matches around the globe. Want to watch sports in 4K? FuboTV is the only streaming TV option that lets you, even though its selection is limited.
The question ultimately comes down to price. Each service has its own charms, and while FuboTV has way more channels, you might end up asking exactly how many channels you need. YouTube TV’s DVR plan and interface give it the edge, but both are solid choices.
Hulu Live TV is an incredible service with a comparable price to YouTube TV. YouTube TV offers a few more channels, but they have a lot of channels in common. Hulu offers far less DVR, just 50 hours. For the most part, though, these packages are very similar. The question ultimately comes down to on-demand content. Hulu Live TV includes access to the Hulu streaming service, effectively giving it the largest on-demand library in streaming TV. But YouTube TV comes with unlimited DVR space and slightly more channels. Personally, we prefer Hulu Live TV to YouTube TV, due to the addition of Hulu streaming. But it’s a truly close call, and for many viewers, YouTube TV will be the superior service.
Is YouTube TV worth it?
YouTube TV is one of the premier streaming TV services on the market today. It’s simple to understand, simple to sign up for, and simple to use. Most importantly it offers a ton of features and channels at a fair price. There are definitely more niche streaming TV services out there that for people who need a more customizable package. But for the average cable fan looking to make the jump to streaming TV, YouTube TV is hard to beat.
How to Sign-up for YouTube TV
Thanks to the ubiquitous nature of Google, getting started with YouTube TV is a breeze. Here’s how it works.
Visit the YouTube TV site and select the “Try It Free” button. This will set you up with a two-week free trial.On the next page, you’ll find a Google account login. Because YouTube TV is owned by Google, you use your existing Gmail account to log in. Once you log in, YouTube TV will guess the city you live in and ask you to confirm your area code. Before you start your free trial, YouTube TV does something unlike any other streaming TV service: It lets you look around. Browse around the YouTube TV site and search your favorite movies, TV shows, and channels to see if they offer what you’re interested in. Once you’re done, select the “Start Free Trial” option at the top of the page.YouTube TV will walk you through what channels will come with the package in your area. Once you’re done, select “Next.” YouTube TV will ask if you want to add any premium channels. Select the ones you want and hit “Next.” Enter your payment information and select “Buy.” You’re now ready to start watching YouTube TV.Live TV Service GuidesPremium Streaming Service GuidesEntertainment Channel GuidesSports Channel and Streaming Service GuidesStreaming Device Guides