Is YouTube TV right for you?

Explore the Ins and Outs of one of Streaming TV’s biggest players

YouTube TV Review

Consensus from around the web is that YouTube TV is one of the best streaming services available right now.  It’s got a great variety of content with live as well as on-demand, DVR capability, device compatibility, intuitive interface, and an extensive selection of 100+ channels. *
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The Pros and Cons of YouTube TV+

Pros

  • Extensive channel lineup.
  • Excellent cloud DVR functionality with unlimited storage.
  • User-friendly interface.

Cons

  • High monthly price.
  • Limited RSN coverage (regional sports networks).
  • No ad-skipping for on-demand content.

Named “The Best DVR and Channel Lineup in 2020” by CNET, YouTube TV is one of the most attractive options in the growing streaming service market.  It features 85+ of the top TV channels ranging from local channels, select live sports, top news channels, and many entertainment channels. YouTube offers unlimited cloud DVR storage as well as up to 6 accounts per household.  While this sounds like the complete option, it’s important to research fully to make sure this is the right streaming platform for you, as YouTube has noteworthy missing content such as MLB games, CNN, Discovery Channel, and Comedy Central. Additionally, YouTube TV has to be streamed to your TV so you’ll need a SmartTV or a streaming device.

YouTube TV Top Movies & Shows

Movies

Demi Lovato: Simply Complicated Movie Poster

Demi Lovato: Simply Complicated

Kedi Movie Poster

Kedi

This Is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous Movie Poster

This Is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous

Viper Club Movie Poster

Viper Club

Burn the Stage: The Movie Movie Poster

Burn the Stage: The Movie

Shows

Wayne Show Poster

Wayne

Overthinking with Kat & June Show Poster

Overthinking with Kat & June

Broke Show Poster

Broke

Run, BIGBANG Scout! Show Poster

Run, BIGBANG Scout!

12 Deadly Days Show Poster

12 Deadly Days

YouTube TV Pricing

There are a few subscription options available:

  • Base Plan: $82.99. More than 100 channels including live sports, news, entertainment, and major networks (ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC) as well as unlimited DVR space.
  • Spanish Plan: $34.99. 28 or more Spanish television channels
  • 4k Plus Add-on: Extra $9.99. Unlimited simultaneous streams at home, offline downloads, and ultra-high definition streaming
  • Sports Plus Add-on: Extra $10.99. Channels like Fox Soccer Plus and NFL RedZone for better sports viewing.

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What is the current YouTube TV Channel list?

The current YouTube TV channel list includes over 85 live TV channels which can change depending on your location.  To get the full list of what channels are available in your area, enter your zip code on the YouTube TV site.  Here is a list of YouTube TV’s most popular channels:

  • ABC & ABC News
  • Adult Swim
  • AMC
  • Animal Planet
  • BCC America
  • BET
  • Bravo
  • Cartoon Network
  • CBS & CBS Sports
  • Cheddar
  • Comedy Central
  • CNBC
  • CNN
  • Discovery
  • Disney, Disney Junior, & Disney XD
  • E!
  • ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNEWS, &ESPN U
  • Food Network
  • FOX, FOX Business, and FOX News
  • FS1 & FS2
  • Freeform
  • FX, FXX, & FXM
  • Gold Channel
  • HGTV
  • IFC
  • MSNBC
  • Motortrend
  • MTV, MTV2, & MTV Classic
  • National Geographic & NatGeo Wild
  • NBA TV
  • NBC, NBC Sports, NBC Universo, NBCSN, & NBCLX
  • NEWSNATION
  • NFL Network
  • Nickelodeon, Nick Jr, Teen Nick, and Nicktoons
  • Oxygen
  • Paramount Network
  • PBS & PBS Kids
  • Smithsonian Channel
  • SyFy
  • TBS
  • TCM
  • TLC
  • TNT
  • Telemundo
  • The CW
  • Travel Channel
  • TruTV
  • TV Land
  • USA
  • VH1

What do you need to get YouTube TV?

As with all streaming services, a quality Internet connection is essential to access the online content.  Explore which internet provider offers the fastest internet service in our area and consider testing your internet speed here to ensure you can stream the highest quality content possible.  In addition to an internet connection, you’ll need a way to watch, such as a Smart TV or a Media Hub to connect through a TV’s HDMi port.  Once logged on, you’re ready to watch YouTube TV!

A person faces a television displaying a couple having dinner

What are people saying about YouTubeTV?

"YouTube TV is the Best Live TV Streaming Service of 2021 and the Best Sports Streaming Service of 2021. This service offers a strong lineup of live networks, with more than 85 channels available. Among live streaming services, YouTube TV’s sports and local coverage is one of the best. The service offers access to Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, and PBS in most markets, as well as a ton of sports networks." - Alex Haslam, U.S. News 360 Reviews

"YouTube TV offers an excellent variety of channels, top-notch DVR features, and great performance. It's a top choice for cord cutters who want to replicate the cable TV experience, provided you are willing to pay its high monthly costs." - Ben Moore, PCMag

"YouTube TV combines the best of all things TV and streaming have to offer with access to live TV, on-demand movies, full seasons of popular TV shows, unlimited DVR space, YouTube videos, and the latest news clips." Chantel Buchi, Reviews.org

"YouTube TV has an easy-to-use, intuitive interface and is available on every major platform, including iOS, Android, Xbox, Playstation 4 and select smart TVs. What really sets it apart from competitors is unlimited DVR storage — there are no caps on simultaneous recordings and you can keep recordings for nine months. " - Kelly Woo, Tom's Guide

"We think YouTube TV is an excellent live TV streaming service—in fact, we’ve named it Cable TV.com’s Best Overall service for 2021. For $64.99 per month, you get 100+ cable and local channels plus an unlimited cloud DVR." - Bill Frost, CableTV.com

"YouTube TV is one of the leaders in the cable replacement space. However, due to its recent increase to $65 per month, it may no longer be the value many people want." - John Schmoll, Frugal Rules

"Although YouTube TV isn't quite the value that it used to be, it's still the best live TV streaming service for most people." - Jared Newman, Tech Hive

*Disclaimer:  Streaming service ratings are calculated as an average from authoritative sources around the web.  The views and options expressed do not necessarily reflect the official views of SmartMove.
 

Benefits of YouTube TV

  • Offers a wide selection of channels, including local networks and PBS.
  • Provides unlimited cloud DVR storage.
  • Allows for multiple streams and user accounts.

What users think about YouTubeTV

  • Some users are satisfied with the channel selection and DVR, but many are frustrated with the price increases and customer service.
  • Many complaints about billing issues, including double billing.
  • Technical difficulties, such as playback errors and buffering, have also been reported.

YouTube TV is Best for

YouTube TV is best for cord-cutters who want a comprehensive channel lineup, unlimited DVR, and are willing to pay a premium price.

A graph comparing the details of various streaming services

How does YouTube TV Compare?

See how YouTube TV compares to the top streaming services with SmartMove's Streaming Service Comparison Table here!

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YouTube TV Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a smart TV for YouTube TV?
No, YouTube TV is available on a number of supported devices including mobile devices, computers, smart TVs, streaming media players, and game consoles.
How long is the YouTube free trial?
Typically, the YouTube TV free trial lasts for seven days.
Is there a TV Guide for YouTube TV?
Yes, YouTube TV features a Live Guide to show the list of available and live content. A recently additional is the inclusion of upcoming programming which allows users to browse content seven days in advance of airing.  Perfect to set up the DVR to records upcoming programs. 
What are YouTube TV’s Add-ons?

As of Summer 2021, YouTube TV’s collection of subscription add-on networks has continue to grow to now include:

  • Acron TV
  • ALLBLK
  • AMC+
  • Cinemax
  • CuriosityStream
  • EPIX
  • Hallmark Movies Now
  • HBO
  • HBO Max
  • IFC Films Unlimited
  • MLB.TV
  • NBA Leage Pass
  • Showtime
  • Shudder
  • STARZ
  • Sundance Now
  • WE tv+
  • YouTube TV Entertainment Plus
  • YouTube TV Plus Plus including NFL Redzone, Fox Soccer Plus, MAVTV, Stadium, Fox College Sports, TVG, and GOLTV.
  • See YouTube TV’s full add-on channel list here to learn more about pricing. 
How much are YouTube TV add ons?
YouTube TV's add ons vary and change frequently, but several popular ones include HBO Max ($14.99/mo), Showtime ($7.00/mo), STARZ ($9.00/mo) and NBA League Pass ($40.00/mo).. You can see available add ons via this link: https://tv.youtube.com/welcome/
How many people can watch YouTube TV at once?
You can share YouTube TV across three devices at any given time.
How do I record on YouTube TV?
You can record programs to your personal library by selecting the round, grey + symbol next to the show. Learn more here: https://support.google.com/youtubetv/answer/7129564?hl=en
Is Google TV the same as YouTube TV?
No. Google TV is the rebranding of the Google Play Movies & TV App, which is a part of Chromecast and separate from YouTube TV.
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