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YouTube TV Review

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YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service with more than 60 channels for $72.99/month. This plan includes local channels, 32 of the top 35 cable channels, and regional sports networks (RSNs) in select markets. The service includes an unlimited DVR.

With the recent addition of Viacom channels (BET, MTV, Comedy Central, etc.) to the service, they are only without Hallmark and A+E Networks (Lifetime, History, A&E).

They recently added NFL Network and new Sports Plus add-on which include channels like NFL RedZone for $11 a month.

YouTube TV offers select 4K content, including some live sports and on-demand shows, as part of their 4K Plus add-on. The 4K Plus add-on is $9.99 a month and also includes offline downloads and unlimited streams on your home network.

If you want a cheaper service with many of the entertainment channels on YouTube TV, you can subscribe to Philo which includes A+E, Discovery, Viacom, Hallmark, and other channels for just $20 a month after a 7-Day Free Trial.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Review

We tested YouTube TV and other live TV streaming services for more than 100 hours. YouTube TV is compatible with Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, iPhone/iPad, Android Phone/Tablet, Mac, Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, and VIZIO Smart TV.


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Features

Unlimited Cloud DVR

YouTube TV has Unlimited DVR storage, allowing you to keep shows for up to 9 months. You cannot record individual episodes, only entire series, sports teams, or major events.

If you start recording after you tune into a channel, the recording will start from when you first started watching. You can watch the recording from the beginning while it is still recording.

YouTube TV is the only service that offers offline downloads of content on your DVR. To enable that feature, you have to upgrade to their 4K Plus add-on, which will allow you to download shows and movies from your DVR for up to 30 days. You won’t be able to watch content on your streaming player, while it is downloaded offline.

Up to 3 Devices

This service allows for three simultaneous streams (among smartphones, tablets, and computers). You can add their 4K Plus add-on ($9.99 a month) to stream on Unlimited Devices on your home network.

On Demand

A majority of channels offer on demand content, but you cannot skip or fast-forward through the content.

No Parental Controls

There are no parental controls for YouTube TV.

Only DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu Live TV, and Sling TV have parental control features.


Family Sharing Feature

Family Sharing allows you to create profiles for up to 5 additional people at no cost, allowing family members to log in with their own Google account to access live TV.

4K Plus Add-On Feature

YouTube TV offers a premium “4K Plus” add-on that includes select 4K content, offline downloads, and unlimited simultaneous streams on your home network. The add-on costs $9.99 a month, after a 30-Day Free Trial. Read our most recent review of YouTube TV 4k Cost and Channels here.

YouTube TV
$72.99 tv.youtube.com
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Compatible Devices

YouTube TV is compatible with these devices:

YouTube TV is not compatible with Nintendo devices.

  • Amazon Fire TV
  • Apple TV
  • Google Chromecast
  • Roku
  • Android TV
  • iPhone/iPad
  • Android Phone/Tablet
  • Mac
  • Windows
  • PlayStation
  • Xbox
  • LG Smart TV
  • Samsung Smart TV
  • Sony Smart TV
  • VIZIO Smart TV

  • Nintendo

Phone & Tablet Apps

YouTube TV has the best smartphone and tablet apps of any of the live TV streaming providers.

The mobile apps have various tabs:

  • Home: a live preview of shows currently on live TV. The home screen also has a list of recently viewed shows and recorded DVR content.
  • Library: your recorded DVR content and a list of scheduled recordings.
  • Live: a channel guide, showing what is currently airing on channels.

While you browse through the YouTube TV app, a live thumbnail of your most recently watched channel appears so you won’t miss anything. When you record sports, they will also let you jump between key highlights of games if you don’t want to watch the entire recording.

TV App

YouTube TV has support on Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and Android TV devices like NVIDIA Shield. The interface is similar across devices, but seems to work best on Apple TV.

While they do have a Roku App, they currently do not allow new downloads. In order to stream YouTube TV on Roku, you will need to access it from the YouTube App.

Computer

You can watch YouTube TV on Mac and Windows computers with Chrome. You cannot watch it using other browsers like Safari.

YouTube TV
$72.99 tv.youtube.com
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Channels

Local Channels

YouTube TV offers local channels, including ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, Telemundo, The CW, and Univision.

In most cases, you will have access to live (in major markets) and on demand content every. However, some local channels in smaller markets only have on-demand content or a national feed meaning you won’t get local news or sports.

For complete local availability, check our Channel Lookup tool.

Local Channel Restrictions

You can only access live local channels while you are in a market that YouTube TV is available.

If you are traveling, you will see the local channels of the market you are currently in (not your home market). If you are outside of a coverage area, you will only have access to national on demand content and your recordings.


Top Cable Channels

YouTube TV offers 32 of the top 35 cable channels, which is the most of any of the services, one more than fuboTV.

The top 35 cable channels are listed below. For a list of all channels, look at YouTube TV’s full channel lineup.


Sports Channels

National Sports Channels

YouTube TV includes national sports channels, such as ESPN, FS1, and Fox Sports 2.

Regional Sports Networks (RSNs)

YouTube TV gives access to regional sports networks (RSNs) from NBC Sports and NESN.

They recently dropped Fox Sports RSNs and YES Network in a contract dispute with Sinclair Broadcast Group. If you need those channels, your best option is Hulu Live TV.

RSNs in Other Markets

You should check the YouTube TV RSN channel list before subscribing, to make sure it has the regional networks you need.

Pro Sports

Professional sports league channels NBA TV and NFL Network are available on YouTube TV. MLB Network, NFL RedZone, and NHL Network is not available on YouTube TV.

NFL RedZone can be added for $11/month as part of their Sports Plus add-on.

College Sports

YouTube TV has one of the best services for college sports fans; it includes ACC Network, ACC Network Extra, Big Ten Network, CBS Sports Network, ESPNU, and SEC Network.

Other Sports Channels

ESPNEWS and Golf Channel are available on YouTube TV.

Fox Soccer Plus can be added for $11/month as part of their Sports Plus add-on.


Premium Channels

You can add Showtime ($11) and Starz ($9) to your YouTube TV account.


Add-Ons

7-Day Free Trial - Get the entire season for $25

YouTube TV
$72.99 tv.youtube.com
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Tech Specs

  • High definition video is similar to other streaming services, most in 60fps
  • Live streaming is very stable, except when streaming to older Chromecast or Apple TV devices.
  • Very fast channel switching, so you can actually channel surf.
4K
1080p
720p

720p HD
(Up to 4K UHD)

Video stream resolution is 720p/1080i at 60 fps for most channels. To reduce playback interruptions, YouTube TV will adapt the stream quality to match your network connection.

If you upgrade to their 4K Plus add-on, you can watch select events in 4K like College Football and Basketball on ESPN and FOX, MLB on FOX, and Premier League on USA/NBC.

30 FPS
60 FPS

60 FPS

Most video streams in 60 FPS.

Stereo Sound
Some Surround

Stereo/Surround Sound

While all live TV content has standard stereo audio, they support 5.1 surround sound on select devices.

Live Streaming Reliability
5

On Demand Reliability
5

Reliability

We rarely had issues with YouTube TV video playback freezing, pausing, or hiccups changing channels.

However, when using older Chromcast or Apple TV devices, we had issues with video buffering.

25 sec
Live Delay

Live Delay

Live content is about 25 seconds behind cable TV, which is slightly better than average.

1.5 sec
Channel Switching

Channel Switching

It takes about 1.5 seconds to switch between channels, which is the fastest of any streaming service.

YouTube TV
$72.99 tv.youtube.com
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User Experience

  • Video player will feel very familiar to YouTube users.
  • There is a standard channel guide with live previews, so you can see what’s playing before selecting a channel.
  • Search is excellent and includes related YouTube clips.

Home Screen

The smartphones and tablets, the YouTube TV app’s home screen has a live preview of shows currently on live TV. The home screen also has a list of recently viewed shows and recorded DVR content.

As you scroll, the app suggests popular movies and TV shows, YouTube Premium Originals, and trending YouTube clips.

TV Guide

The YouTube TV channel guide lists available channels in a vertically scrolling list, with a live preview of what’s currently airing. When your device is in a landscape orientation, the guide will also show what is scheduled to air next.

Search

As you would likely expect, YouTube TV has excellent search capabilities. The search tab suggests genres, channels, and trending shows before you begin searching.

As you type to search, the results area will suggest shows, channels, people, and sports teams. When you tap on a result, the app shows episodes and related and related clips.

Show Details

The show listing page is very clean, making it easy to find live, recorded, and on demand episodes; the page also shows related YouTube clips.

Playback

On most channels, YouTube TV allows you to pause, skip forward and backwards, and jump to what’s currently live.

When you exit a live broadcast, a floating PIP displays while you browse through app.

YouTube TV
$72.99 tv.youtube.com
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much does YouTube TV cost?

YouTube TV is available starting at $72.99 / month. See the full list: YouTube TV Pricing & Plans

Does YouTube TV have a free trial?

YouTube TV does not have a free trial.

Does YouTube TV have a DVR?

YouTube TV includes Unlimited of Cloud DVR storage.

What channels are on YouTube TV?

YouTube TV includes 60 channels including 32 top cable channels. See the full list: YouTube TV Channels.

How many streams are allowed at once on YouTube TV?

YouTube TV allows up to 3 devices at the same time. See more details: YouTube TV Simultaneous Streams

Does YouTube TV have local channels?

YouTube TV includes ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, Telemundo, The CW, and Univision in most, but not all markets. See the full list: YouTube TV Local Channels.

Does YouTube TV have live sports?

YouTube TV includes live sports from ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, Fox Sports 2, NBA TV, NFL Network, TBS, TNT, and USA Network. See the full list: YouTube TV Sports Channels.

Does YouTube TV offer premium channels?

YouTube TV offers premium channels like Cinemax, HBO, MGM+, Parmount+ with SHOWTIME, and Starz for an additional fee. See the full list: YouTube TV Premium Channels.

Does YouTube TV offer on demand content?

YouTube TV includes on demand content from most of the channels they offer. Unlike content on your DVR, you won’t be able to skip ads.

Does YouTube TV support TV Everywhere apps?

YouTube TV includes access to many TV Eveywhere Apps with your YouTube TV credentials. See the full list: YouTube TV TV Everywhere Apps.

Does YouTube TV have a TV Guide?

YouTube TV includes a TV Guide similar to what you would get with your cable or satellite set-top box.

Does YouTube TV have ads?

YouTube TV includes ads during live viewing of shows, as well on all on-demand content. You can skip ads when you watch shows recorded to your DVR.

Does YouTube TV offer 4K streaming?

YouTube TV includes select 4K content as part of the service. A compatible device would be required.

Does YouTube TV offer Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound?

YouTube TV includes select content with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound as part of the service. It may only work on certain devices.


Jason Gurwin has has spent the last 10 years in the technology, media, entertainment industries. For The Streamable, he specializes in all things media like streaming services, devices, and cord cutting.

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