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YouTube TV

To Make Price Hikes Worthwhile, YouTube TV Should Include YouTube Premium for Free

To Make Price Hikes Worthwhile, YouTube TV Should Include YouTube Premium for Free

David Satin
David Satin has been a dedicated News Writer at The Streamable since 2022, covering a wide range of stories in the entertainment and streaming industries. With years of experience writing online, David previously worked as a list writer for Screen Rant, where he gained recognition for his extensive coverage of sci-fi and fantasy genres. His ability to break and analyze major stories has made him a trusted voice in the streaming world. Over the course of his career, Satin has become an integral part of The Streamable team, contributing to some of the most impactful stories in the industry.
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David Satin
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Known for breaking major streaming stories, he’s covered everything from Netflix policy shifts to Peacock’s ad-tier changes. A sci-fi fan and Toshiba Fire TV user, he brings sharp analysis and a love for the genre to his reporting.
Known for breaking major streaming stories, he’s covered everything from Netflix policy shifts to Peacock’s ad-tier changes. A sci-fi fan and Toshiba Fire TV user, he brings sharp analysis and a love for the genre to his reporting.

YouTube TV is an all-around solid live TV streaming service. Subscribers get access to 32 of the top 35 cable channels with the service, and it’s one of the only live TV platforms that offers users the ability to stream in 4K—though it’ll cost you an extra $9.99 per month for the 4K Plus add-on.

Despite a fairly impressive channel list, it’s hard to argue that YouTube TV is one of the more expensive live TV streamers in the industry. In March, the service raised the monthly subscription cost of its base plan from $64.99 to $72.99, a price jump of 11%. That means its base plan is now more expensive than Hulu + Live TV, Sling, and Philo, as well as DIRECTV STREAM thanks to that company’s current, limited-time $10 per month off for three months offer.

Perhaps because of the price increase, YouTube TV has done some work lately to help users think of it as a good value. For example, the service has been beta testing its new multiview feature quite a bit this year, allowing customers to access it for sporting events like the 2023 NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments, and the NFL Draft. That’s great for sports fans, but what is YouTube TV doing to increase its value for non-sports lovers?

There’s one thing that the service could do that would instantly add value to a YouTube TV subscription: include YouTube Premium. The add-on subscription allows users to watch millions of YouTube videos ad-free, and to download them in order to watch them offline. It also allows subscribers using mobile devices to watch YouTube videos on other apps, or even have them continue playing when the screen is turned off. YouTube Premium also comes with YouTube Music Premium at no extra charge, so clearly YouTube has experience in offering its services as bundles.

YouTube Premium usually costs $11.99 per month or $119.99 per year. But including it in every YouTube TV subscription would give the service excellent value, putting it much closer to platforms like Hulu + Live TV in terms of offering users free extras. Hulu + Live TV gives users free access to the Disney Bundle for as long as they have their subscription, meaning that they also can enjoy all of the programming on Disney+ and ESPN+ essentially for free.

Value is a major goal that every streamer is trying to chase. A survey from November 2022 found that value was more important than price for streaming users, which is especially important for a live TV service like YouTube TV. Because it charges a much higher monthly price than subscription video streamers like Prime Video and Max, YouTube TV has to work that much harder to convince users that it’s a good value.

Of course, there is a possibility that YouTube TV doesn’t feel the need to add more value to itself. After all, it currently has 6.3 million subscribers, which is by far the largest customer base of any live TV streamer. But adding YouTube Premium to its subscription would be an attractive incentive to boost that number even higher.

The service has already proven its worth to football fans, who will be able to enjoy NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV for the first time in 2023. But for users who don’t care about sports, the service must do something more to demonstrate its value. Adding free subscriptions to YouTube Premium with every YouTube TV account would bring excellent value to the service, providing something that all segments of its customer base would want.

Free Trial
tv.youtube.com

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
$82.99+ / month
tv.youtube.com

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

David Satin
David Satin has been a dedicated News Writer at The Streamable since 2022, covering a wide range of stories in the entertainment and streaming industries. With years of experience writing online, David previously worked as a list writer for Screen Rant, where he gained recognition for his extensive coverage of sci-fi and fantasy genres. His ability to break and analyze major stories has made him a trusted voice in the streaming world. Over the course of his career, Satin has become an integral part of The Streamable team, contributing to some of the most impactful stories in the industry.
Read full bio ›
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DIRECTV Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $50 Amazon Gift Card when you sign up for DIRECTV STREAM.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.

Offer Terms

  • Only valid for new DIRECTV STREAM subscribers.
  • Only valid once per household.
  • You must pay and maintain service for at least one month to be eligible.
  • Purchase must be completed on the DIRECTV STREAM website.
  • You’ll receive gift card 4-6 weeks after purchase (~2 weeks after your first month).
  • Cannot be combined with any other promotion and won’t be eligible if you try to use a coupon code or cash back from another site.

Sling TV Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $25 Uber Eats Gift Card when you sign up for Sling TV.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.

Offer Terms

  • Only valid for new Sling TV subscribers to Sling Orange, Blue, or Sling Orange + Blue.
  • Only valid once per household.
  • You must pay and maintain service for at least one month to be eligible.
  • You must click from The Streamable and complete your purchase on the Sling TV website.
  • You’ll receive gift card 4-6 weeks after purchase (~2 weeks after your first month).
  • Cannot be combined with any other promotion and won’t be eligible if you try to use a coupon code or cash back from another site.

Hulu Live TV Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $35 Amazon Gift Card when you sign up for Hulu Live TV.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.

Offer Terms

  • Only valid for new Hulu Live TV subscribers.
  • Only valid once per household.
  • You must pay and maintain service for at least one month to be eligible.
  • You must click from The Streamable and complete your purchase on the Hulu Live TV website.
  • You’ll receive gift card 4-6 weeks after purchase (~2 weeks after your first month).
  • Cannot be combined with any other promotion and won’t be eligible if you try to use a coupon code or cash back from another site.