RedZone is available on YouTube TV, but only with a live TV subscription that includes the NFL RedZone add-on

YouTube TV does not include RedZone in its base package. To watch it, you need a YouTube TV account with a live TV subscription, then add the NFL RedZone channel as a paid add-on. The add-on costs extra per month beyond your YouTube TV base fee and is only available during the NFL season (September through early February).

RedZone shows live coverage of every NFL game on Sunday afternoons, cutting between games as plays develop. It is the only way to watch all the action at once without switching between individual game feeds. YouTube TV's interface lets you add RedZone directly from the channel guide or your account settings.

Key Takeaways

  • RedZone requires both a YouTube TV live TV subscription and a separate monthly add-on fee during the NFL season.
  • You can add or remove RedZone from your account at any time without a contract, so you can turn it on for football season and off when it ends.
  • RedZone is only available on Sundays during the regular NFL season and playoffs, not on Monday or Thursday night games.
  • YouTube TV's cloud DVR does not record RedZone, so you must watch it live or use the YouTube TV app to catch replays within a limited window.

How to add RedZone to your YouTube TV account

Open the YouTube TV app or website and go to your account settings. Look for the "Add-ons" or "Memberships" section — the exact name depends on whether you are on a phone, tablet, or computer. Select "Browse add-ons" and search for "NFL RedZone" in the list.

Click or tap the RedZone option and confirm the monthly charge. Your subscription will start when ready, and RedZone will appear in your channel guide. You can cancel the add-on at any time from the same menu, and you will not be charged again after the current billing cycle ends.

What RedZone costs and when it is available

The price of the RedZone add-on changes year to year. YouTube TV displays the exact cost before you confirm the purchase, so you will know the total before your card is charged. The add-on is only available during the NFL regular season and playoffs, roughly September through early February. Outside that window, you cannot purchase it.

If you add RedZone in October and cancel it in December, you will only pay for those three months. There is no annual commitment or penalty for stopping the add-on early. Many viewers add it for the playoffs in January and February, then remove it until the next season starts.

When RedZone broadcasts and what you can watch

RedZone airs only on Sunday afternoons during the regular season and playoffs. It does not cover Monday Night Football, Thursday Night Football, or Sunday night games — those air on their own channels within YouTube TV (ESPN, NFL Network, and NBC respectively). RedZone focuses on the 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. ET Sunday games, switching between them as plays unfold.

The channel also shows highlights and analysis during halftime and after games end. If you miss a game, YouTube TV's app sometimes offers short replays or condensed versions, but these are not may provide and may only be available for a few days after broadcast.

Recording RedZone and watching it later

YouTube TV's cloud DVR does not record RedZone. Because the channel switches between multiple games in real time, the service does not allow you to save it to your library the way you would a regular game broadcast. You must watch RedZone live on Sunday afternoons to see the full experience.

Some games that air on RedZone may also broadcast on cable channels like CBS or FOX, and those broadcasts can be recorded. Check your YouTube TV channel guide to see which games are on both RedZone and a recordable channel. The NFL also offers replays and highlights through its own app and website, though those are separate from YouTube TV.

Comparing RedZone to other ways to watch NFL games on YouTube TV

YouTube TV includes most Sunday, Monday, and Thursday NFL games through channels like CBS, FOX, ESPN, and the NFL Network. If you want to watch one specific game in full, you do not need RedZone — you can find it on one of those channels and record it if you wish. RedZone is only worth the extra cost if you want to see all the action across multiple games at once, or if your favorite team plays in an early game and you want to watch other matchups afterward.

YouTube TV also includes NFL Network, which sometimes shows replays of games and analysis. Streaming services like Peacock and ESPN+ offer some games as well, but they require separate subscriptions. RedZone is the only way to watch every Sunday game live in one feed on YouTube TV.

Troubleshooting RedZone on YouTube TV

If you added RedZone but do not see it in your channel guide, refresh the YouTube TV app or log out and back in. Sometimes the channel takes a few minutes to appear after purchase. If it still does not show up, check your account settings to confirm the add-on was charged and is active.

If RedZone appears in your guide but shows a lock icon, your subscription may have expired or your payment method may have failed. Go back to your account settings and check the status of the add-on. YouTube TV will send you an email if your payment fails, so check your inbox and spam folder. You can update your payment method and the add-on will resume when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch RedZone without a YouTube TV subscription?

No. RedZone is only available as an add-on to a YouTube TV live TV subscription. You cannot purchase RedZone alone or through any other YouTube service. You must have an active YouTube TV account first.

Does RedZone work on all devices?

RedZone is available on any device that runs the YouTube TV app or website, including phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and streaming devices like Roku and Apple TV. The broadcast quality and experience are the same across all devices.

Can I share my RedZone add-on with other people on my YouTube TV family plan?

Yes. If you have a YouTube TV family plan, anyone in your household can watch RedZone on their own device using their family account. The add-on applies to the entire account, not to a single person. Guests and people outside your household cannot watch it.

What happens to RedZone when the NFL season ends?

RedZone disappears from your channel guide after the Super Bowl in early February. You cannot watch it or purchase it again until the next NFL season begins in September. If you forget to cancel your add-on before the season ends, YouTube TV will stop charging you automatically.

Is there a free trial for RedZone?

YouTube TV does not offer a free trial for the RedZone add-on. You pay the full monthly price starting when ready after you add it to your account. You can cancel at any time without penalty.