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Confirmed: YouTube TV Price Increasing for Some Users Due to New Tax Calculation Formula

Confirmed: YouTube TV Price Increasing for Some Users Due to New Tax Calculation Formula

With a background in sports and entertainment reporting, he’s covered everything from Broadway to college football. He cut the cord in 2014 and has a sharp eye for streaming trends and a soft spot for Hallmark movies.

YouTube TV is essentially lapping the live TV streaming field as it continues to add subscribers at an impressive clip while other platforms struggle to simply maintain the customers that they already have. With over 6.3 million customers, the Google-owned streamer is by far the largest live streamer, but some of those subscribers might see their bills tick up a bit beginning next month.

The Streamable has confirmed that last week, YouTube began sending out emails to certain subscribers informing them that the company would be updating the process by which it calculates various sales and user-related taxes. These new processes will go into effect with the bills beginning on June 15 and will be fully implemented by the end of July. But, it is important to note that not every YouTube TV subscriber will be impacted. Not all of the service’s customers received the notice, and even those that did are not guaranteed to see an increase in their monthly bills.

The anticipated increase for these recalculations is relatively small as local sales and user taxes are comparatively small to the overall cost of the service, and the amount users will see their bills increase will vary by city, state, and municipality. However, when coupled with the price hike that went into effect last month, it is understandable if YouTube TV subscribers don’t welcome this news with open arms.

Read the Full Email from YouTube TV Below:

After more than three years with its base plan costing $64.99 per month, the streamer increased its lowest price to $72.99 beginning on April 18. While the service also rolled back the price of its 4K add-on, the majority of subscribers saw an increase of at least $96 per year. With the prices of practically all live TV streaming services increasing regularly, the value proposition of streaming is beginning to come into question. What once was an affordable alternative to expensive cable and satellite subscriptions is quickly approaching the same price, albeit without the long-term contracts.

Related: Leaving YouTube TV Because of the Price Hike? Here Are Your Best Options for Live TV Now

While any tax adjustments that YouTube TV rolls out will likely be infinitesimal compared to other recent price increases, the slow march that the industry’s prices are taking toward their traditional-TV brethren should be of concern to the most price-concious cord-cutters amongst us.

YouTube TV

YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service with more than 60 channels for $82.99/month. This plan includes local channels 32 of the top 35 cable channels, and regional sports networks (RSNs) in select markets. The base plan includes more than 100 live channels, including major broadcast networks like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, as well as popular cable channels such as ESPN, CNN, FX, USA Network, and TNT. Local channels are included in most markets, making YouTube TV a full replacement for traditional cable for many viewers.

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Sports are a major focus for YouTube TV, with access to national and regional coverage, league networks, and marquee events. The service also serves as the exclusive home of NFL Sunday Ticket, available as an add-on, giving fans access to out-of-market Sunday afternoon games. YouTube TV also offers a smaller sports plan, allowing subscribers access to 30+ sports-oriented channels, including local networks in select markets.

YouTube TV includes unlimited cloud DVR storage at no extra cost, allowing subscribers to record as many shows as they want and keep recordings for up to nine months. The service is available across a wide range of devices, including smart TVs, streaming players, mobile devices, and web browsers. New subscribers can typically start with a free trial, though the trial length may vary by promotion.

With its broad channel lineup, strong sports offerings, unlimited DVR, and wide device support, YouTube TV remains one of the most comprehensive live TV streaming services for viewers who want a traditional TV experience without a cable contract.

Free Trial

New customers can save $15 per month for 5 months.


Matt Tamanini is the News Editor at The Streamable, where he oversees daily news coverage and editorial strategy, with a particular focus on breaking stories, streaming comparisons, and major industry events. A well-rounded journalist with a diverse background, Matt joined The Streamable in 2022 after holding key editorial roles at several high-profile outlets. He has an extensive career in sports and entertainment journalism, having served as a senior editor for BroadwayWorld, the world’s largest theater website, and as managing editor for Land-Grant Holy Land, which covers Ohio State sports.

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