YouTube TV's Multiview feature lets you watch up to four channels at once on the same screen

Multiview is a YouTube TV feature that splits your screen into separate windows, each showing a different live channel. You can watch four channels simultaneously — useful during sports events when multiple games air at the same time, or when you want to monitor news coverage across different outlets. The feature works on most devices where YouTube TV is available, though some older hardware does not support it.

To use Multiview, you open YouTube TV, select a channel, then add up to three more channels to the same screen. Each window shows the full broadcast with its own audio controls. You can swap channels in any window, resize the layout, or exit Multiview to return to single-channel viewing at any time.

Key Takeaways

  • Multiview displays up to four live channels at once on phones, tablets, computers, and some streaming devices, but not on all TV-connected devices.
  • You start Multiview by opening a channel and tapping or clicking the Multiview button, then selecting additional channels to add to the screen.
  • Each window has its own volume control, so you can mute one channel and listen to another, or adjust the audio balance between them.
  • Multiview works only with live channels — you cannot use it to watch recorded shows, on-demand content, or YouTube TV's library of saved programs.

Which devices support Multiview

Multiview is available on phones and tablets running iOS or Android, on computers using a web browser, and on some streaming devices. Google Chromecast with Google TV, Roku devices, Amazon Fire TV, and Samsung Smart TVs support it. Older Chromecast models, Apple TV, and some other streaming boxes do not.

If you cast YouTube TV to a television using an older Chromecast or AirPlay, Multiview will not work — the feature requires a device that can handle the split-screen layout. Check your device's compatibility in the YouTube TV app or on the YouTube TV website before you expect to use it.

How to start Multiview on your phone or tablet

Open the YouTube TV app and select any live channel. Look for the Multiview icon — it appears as four small squares in the top right corner of the screen. Tap it, and the screen splits into four equal windows. The channel you were watching stays in one window; the other three are blank.

Tap any blank window to select a channel for that space. A list of live channels appears. Choose the ones you want to watch. You can change any channel at any time by tapping its window and selecting a different one. To exit Multiview, tap the icon again or swipe to go back to single-channel view.

How to start Multiview on a computer

Go to youtube.tv in your web browser and select a live channel. The Multiview button appears in the top right corner of the video player — it looks like four small squares. Click it to split the screen into four windows. Click any blank window to open the channel list and choose what to watch in that space.

You can resize the windows by dragging the dividers between them, making one channel larger and others smaller if you want to focus on one broadcast. Click the Multiview button again to return to full-screen single-channel view.

How to start Multiview on a streaming device

On a Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast with Google TV, or Samsung Smart TV, open YouTube TV and select a live channel. Use your remote to navigate to the Multiview option — it is usually in the top menu or accessible by pressing a designated button. Select it to split the screen, then use your remote to choose channels for each window.

Navigation with a remote is slower than on a phone or computer, so some people find Multiview more practical on those devices. If your streaming device does not show a Multiview option, your model does not support the feature.

Audio control in Multiview

Each window in Multiview has its own volume control. You can mute one channel completely while listening to another at full volume, or adjust each one independently. This is useful when you want to follow one game closely while keeping an eye on another broadcast without sound.

To control audio, look for the speaker icon in each window. On phones and tablets, tap the icon to mute or unmute that channel. On computers, hover over a window to see volume controls. On streaming devices, use your remote to select a window and adjust its volume. If you want to hear all four channels at once, you can raise the volume on each one, though this creates overlapping audio.

What you cannot do with Multiview

Multiview works only with live channels. You cannot use it to watch recorded shows from your library, on-demand movies, or YouTube TV's collection of saved programs. If you try to select a recorded show or on-demand content in a Multiview window, YouTube TV will not let you — the window will close or show an error.

You also cannot use Multiview while watching a DVR recording or a show from YouTube TV's on-demand library. If you want to switch to one of those, you have to exit Multiview first and return to single-channel view.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Multiview on my Apple TV?

No. Apple TV does not support Multiview. If you have an Apple TV, you can watch YouTube TV normally but only on one channel at a time. Consider using Multiview on a phone, tablet, or computer instead, or switch to a streaming device that supports it, such as a Roku or Fire TV.

Does Multiview use more data than watching one channel?

Yes. Streaming four channels at once uses roughly four times the data of watching a single channel. If you have a limited data plan on your phone or tablet, Multiview can consume your monthly allowance faster. Use it on Wi-Fi when possible to avoid unexpected overage charges.

Can I record multiple channels at once while using Multiview?

No. Multiview is for watching only. Your YouTube TV subscription includes cloud DVR storage, and you can record shows separately using the YouTube TV app or website, but Multiview does not let you record what you are watching on the screen.

What happens if I lose internet while using Multiview?

All four channels will stop playing. YouTube TV requires a constant internet connection for live broadcasts. If your connection drops, reconnect and restart Multiview. If you want to watch offline, you would need to read content through YouTube TV's read feature, which works only on phones and tablets and only for certain on-demand shows.

Can I use Multiview to watch the same channel in multiple windows?

No. Each window must show a different channel. YouTube TV does not allow you to duplicate a single broadcast across multiple windows in Multiview.