How to cancel a YouTube TV subscription; step-by-step guide, and what to try once you've unsubscribed

YouTube TV is a good, general live TV streaming service. It carries popular cable channels and local broadcast networks for most customers, but since its latest price increase and now ongoing issues with Disney — losing multiple channels including ABC and ESPN — the value of the streamer has really taken a hit with no resolution in sight.

Additionally, outside of its multiview feature, YouTube TV offers very few features that others don’t, and at a price of $83 per month, it’s no longer remarkably cheaper than the competition.

If those factors have convinced you that it’s time to move on from your YouTube TV subscription, we’ll show you how to do it below. We’ll also let you know which services you should try once you’ve nixed your YouTube TV account for good!

Everything you need to know about canceling YouTube TV

How to cancel YouTube TV

Click here to log into your YouTube TV account.
Click on your profile photo.
Navigate to Settings.
Click on Membership.
Click Manage, then Cancel Membership.

Will canceling YouTube TV cut off access to your account right away?

No, you will still be able to use your YouTube TV account as normal until the end of your free trial or billing cycle if you cancel your subscription.

Will YouTube TV save your account settings and recordings if you cancel?

YouTube TV will keep your DVR recordings for 21 days after you cancel your account. Following that period, recordings in your library will expire. Your library preferences will be saved if you want to start later, however.

Can you pause a YouTube TV subscription?

Yes, you can pause a YouTube TV subscription for between four weeks and six months if you simply need to take a break. The pause will take effect at the end of your current billing cycle, and you will be automatically charged the normal monthly price when the pause ends.

What streamers should you try after canceling YouTube TV?

Hulu + Live TV

A paid option to think about after canceling YouTube TV is Hulu + Live TV. For the same $83-per-month price that YouTube TV charges, you will get an equivalent list of popular cable channels from Hulu + Live TV, including CNN, Discovery, ESPN, Fox News, FX, MSNBC, Nickelodeon, TNT, and more. You’ll also get Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ for free, a feature you won’t find as part of your YouTube TV subscription.

Free 3-Day Trial

hulu.com

Hulu Live TV

Hulu Live TV is a live TV streaming service with more than 70 channels for $89.99 per month. Hulu + Live TV base plan includes local channels 32 of the top 35 cable channels, and regional sports networks (RSNs). Subscribers get free access to Disney+ and ESPN Select at no extra charge.

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Where it really separates itself is value. Your subscription doesn’t just cover live TV — it also includes full access to Hulu’s on-demand library, plus bundled subscriptions to Disney+ and ESPN Select content at no extra cost. That means you’re getting everything from next-day network TV episodes and Hulu Originals, to Marvel, Star Wars, and live sports content all in one place without juggling multiple bills.

For sports fans, Hulu + Live TV also includes regional sports networks (RSNs) in select areas, a feature many competing services have dropped. That can be a big deal if you’re trying to follow local MLB, NBA, or NHL teams.

The DVR experience is another strong point. Subscribers get unlimited cloud DVR storage and the ability to fast-forward through commercials on recorded content — a feature that used to cost extra but is now standard. It’s designed to feel closer to a traditional cable DVR, just without the box.

If you want to customize further, several add-ons are available. You can upgrade to premium channels like HBO, Showtime, or Starz, add an unlimited streams option for households with lots of viewers, or go ad-free on Hulu’s on-demand content (live TV will still include ads).

Overall, Hulu + Live TV is less about being the cheapest option and more about being the most comprehensive. It’s built for people who want live TV, on-demand shows, and bundled streaming services all under one roof — without having to piece everything together themselves.

Free 3-Day Trial

$89.99+ / month

hulu.com

DIRECTV

If you’re looking to try before you buy, another favorite is DIRECTV, which offers a 5-day free trial and includes many of the channels YouTube TV offers and then some. You’ll get back access to Disney channels like ABC and ESPN, but also many live local channels, as well as TNT, TBS, FX, CNN, and more.

5-Day Trial

directv.com

DIRECTV

DIRECTV is one of The Streamable’s top choices for the best live TV streaming service overall in 2026, especially for users who want the most channels or want to watch the most live sports. With an unbeatable lineup of local, news, sports, and entertainment channels, three main signature packages, an unlimited DVR, and 20 simultaneous streams at home, DIRECTV remains a premier choice for any cord-cutter.

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Following the launch of several genre-specific Genre Packs, there are now even more flexible ways to watch DIRECTV. Options like MySports, MyEntertainment, MyNews, and MiEspañol provide affordable, targeted alternatives to larger bundles, allowing viewers to subscribe to a specific set of channels that match their interests without the cost of a full lineup.

DIRECTV starts at $59.99 / month for its Entertainment package. You can access your local regional sports network with the Choice package, which begins at $64.99 / month, as well as the MySports Pack $44.99 / month. At the top end, they also have an Ultimate ($94.99) for 218 channels. Slimmer Genre Packs for entertainment and news are MyEntertainment for $42.99 / month and MyNews $39.99 / month. There is no contract or broadcast TV fees with this DIRECTV streaming option.

The service was previously called DIRECTV STREAM, preceded by AT&T TV.

How much does DIRECTV cost in 2026?

DIRECTV now offers flexible entry points starting at $19.99/month for the MyKids Genre Pack, while full Signature Packages like Entertainment start at $84.99/month. See the full list: DIRECTV Pricing & Plans

Does DIRECTV have a free trial?

Yes, DIRECTV offers a 5-Day Free Trial for new customers, which includes access to your chosen package and any added Genre Packs.

What are DIRECTV Genre Packs?

Genre Packs are targeted, contract-free plans introduced in 2025. They include MySports ($69.99/mo), MyEntertainment ($34.99/mo), MyNews ($39.99/mo), and MiEspañol ($34.99/mo), often bundling apps like Max, Disney+, or Hulu.

How many channels does DIRECTV have?

The channel count varies by plan: the Entertainment package starts with 90+ channels, while the Premier package offers over 185+ channels. See the full list: DIRECTV Channels.

How many streams are allowed at once on DIRECTV?

DIRECTV allows for unlimited simultaneous streams on your home network and up to 3 streams while on the go. See more details: DIRECTV Simultaneous Streams

Does DIRECTV include local channels?

Yes, local affiliates like ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC are included in all Signature Packages and the MySports Genre Pack in most markets. See the full list: DIRECTV Local Channels.

Does DIRECTV have live sports?

DIRECTV is a leader in sports, offering ESPN, FS1, NFL Network, and MLB Network, plus Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) in the Choice plan and above. See the full list: DIRECTV Sports Channels.

Does DIRECTV offer premium channels?

Yes, you can add Max, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, STARZ, and Cinemax. Many 2026 Genre Packs now include these services as part of the base price. See the full list: DIRECTV Premium Channels.

Does DIRECTV offer 4K streaming?

DIRECTV provides dedicated 4K channels (104-106) for live sports and special events at no extra cost, provided you have a compatible 4K device.

Does DIRECTV have a DVR?

Every DIRECTV plan includes Unlimited Cloud DVR storage, allowing you to record and save shows for up to 9 months.

Is there a Regional Sports Network (RSN) fee on DIRECTV?

An RSN fee of up to $15.99/month applies to the Choice package and above, as these plans include local sports coverage. This fee is determined by your zip code and the number of Regional Sports Networks available in your area.

Can I avoid the RSN fee on DIRECTV?

Yes. To avoid the RSN fee, you can subscribe to the Entertainment package or the MySports Genre Pack ($69.99/mo), which bundles sports content without a separate itemized RSN charge. See the breakdown: DIRECTV RSN Fees & Locations.

5-Day Trial

$59.99+ / month

directv.com

Start streaming DIRECTV & save up to $30 off your 1st mo. of service! Learn how.

Plex

If you’d rather replace YouTube TV with a paid option, consider going with Plex. Not only does it come with hundreds of free streaming channels and thousands of on-demand titles, but it also includes cool features like the ability to set up a private server for your personal media. It also includes a universal search feature that will let you look for titles across multiple streaming services at once.

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plex.tv

Plex

Plex is a free streaming service that includes on-demand access to 50,000+ movies and TV shows. The service also offers 1,100+ free-to-stream live TV channels in 193 countries. Users can also connect Plex to their computers to stream and share any media they have on their hard drives.

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The service also offers a universal watchlist - simply add the streaming services you subscribe to and Plex becomes an automatic launch portal for any show or movie. This saves you the trouble of looking up what is streaming where.

Plex offers a subscription tier that offers even more features for people who want more functionality, but it packs a powerful punch even in its free version.

The service offers 11 live local news channels, including outlets in Detroit, Atlanta, Memphis, Jacksonville, Tulsa, Boston, and Seattle.

Plex even offers a Plex Arcade option where you can play dozens of Atari classics plus your own collection of game ROMs and emulators on your favorite devices.

This is an incredibly flexible platform that’s perfect for fans of any media.

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Free