57 lượt xem

A beginner's guide to YouTube TV, a live TV app with over 100 channels and unlimited DVR

When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

  • YouTube TV is a streaming app that offers over 80 live TV channels, along with on-demand shows and movies.
  • A YouTube TV subscription costs $64.99 per month, and comes with cloud DVR service for up to three devices.
  • You can stream YouTube TV on most streaming devices, game consoles, smartphones, and computers.

YouTube TV is one of the best live TV streaming services for anyone looking for an alternative to cable or satellite TV. It boasts a big catalog of networks where subscribers can catch news, sports, and reality shows.

Here’s everything to know about YouTube TV, including what you can watch with it, how much it costs, and how to stream it.

What is YouTube TV?

Launched by Google in 2017, YouTube TV a subscription service that offers over 100 live channels. This includes everything from local news essentials like ABC, CBS, and Fox, to sports networks like ESPN, Fox Sports, and NBA TV.

The exact lineup of YouTube TV channels you’ll get varies depending on your location. You can get a preview of your channels by entering your zip code on YouTube TV’s welcome page.

The exact channels that YouTube TV offers depends on where you live, but you can check by entering your zip code on the service’s website.

You can also add a number of “premium” channels to your account by paying additional monthly fees. This includes Max, Starz, and MGM+. This is alongside a “Sports Plus Add-on” that adds over a dozen dedicated sports channels.

And if you’re still looking for on-demand content, YouTube TV also offers a large catalog of on-demand shows and movies to watch whenever you want.

Finally, every YouTube TV subscription comes with an unlimited amount of cloud DVR storage. This lets you record nearly any live TV show or movie and then watch it whenever you like. You’ll also be able to rewind, fast forward, and pause what you’ve recorded.

How much does YouTube TV cost?

YouTube TV costs $73 per month for the most basic subscription. This is about on par with similar live TV apps like Hulu + Live TV or Fubo, and it’s still cheaper than most traditional cable services.

This base plan comes with over 100 channels and unlimited DVR. You can stream on up to three devices at once, shared across six separate accounts.

For an extra $10 a month, you can upgrade to a YouTube TV 4K plus plan, which adds support for up to 4K streaming, unlimited screens, and the ability to download recordings for offline viewing.

You can further customize your YouTube TV subscription by adding on extra services for an additional fee.

For even more great content, you can pay additional fees to add premium channels to your subscription. Here’s a list of what networks and services that YouTube TV offers as add-ons:

  • Acorn
  • ALLBLK
  • AMC+
  • Atresplayer
  • Cinemax
  • Comedy Dynamics
  • ConTV
  • CuriosityStream
  • Dekkoo
  • Docudrama
  • Dove
  • Fandor
  • Fox Nation
  • Gaia
  • Hallmark Movies Now
  • HereTV
  • Hi-Yah!
  • Hopster Learning
  • IFC Films Unlimited
  • Law & Crime
  • Magellan TV
  • Magnolia Selects
  • MGM+
  • MHzChoice
  • MovieSphere
  • My Outdoor TV
  • NBA League Pass
  • Outside TV Features
  • PokerGo
  • Qello Concerts
  • RCN Total
  • Screenpix
  • Screambox
  • Showtime
  • Shudder
  • Starz
  • Stingray Classica
  • Stingray DJazz
  • Sundance Now
  • Tastemade+
  • Topic
  • UPFaith & Family
  • Vix Premium
  • VSiN
  • WNBA League Pass

How to watch YouTube TV

Like most modern streaming apps, YouTube TV is available on all sorts of devices, including most smart TVs, smart displays, streaming devices, smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles. You can find the full list of compatible options on the YouTube TV website.

Every version of the app is free to download, but you’ll need a paid YouTube TV subscription to sign in.

Sarah Wells contributed to a previous version of this article.