Yes, you can record NFL games on YouTube TV using the service's built-in DVR feature
YouTube TV includes unlimited cloud DVR storage at no extra cost, which means you can record as many NFL games as you want and keep them for up to nine months. When you record a game, it saves to your library and you can watch it anytime on any device where you're signed into your YouTube TV account — your phone, tablet, computer, or TV.
The recording happens automatically in the cloud, so you don't need any external equipment or a DVR box. You straightforward tell YouTube TV which games you want to record, and the service handles the rest. This works for regular season games, playoffs, and Super Bowl broadcasts that air on channels included in your YouTube TV package.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube TV's DVR feature records NFL games to the cloud at no extra charge, and you can keep recordings for up to nine months.
- You can record a single game, an entire series, or all games from a specific team or channel by setting up a series recording.
- Recorded games are available on all your devices — phone, tablet, computer, and TV — as long as you're signed into your YouTube TV account.
- You can fast-forward through commercials and skip around in recorded games just like you would on a regular DVR.
- Some NFL games on streaming-only services like Amazon Prime Video or Peacock cannot be recorded through YouTube TV because they don't air on YouTube TV channels.
How to record a single NFL game
Open the YouTube TV app or website and search for the NFL game you want to record. When you find the game in the schedule or in the guide, select it to open the game details page. You'll see a record button — it looks like a circle with a dot inside — next to the game title. Tap or click that button, and YouTube TV will record the game when it airs.
You can record a game even if it's airing right now. If you start watching a game live and then decide you want to keep it, you can still record it from that point forward. The recording will capture everything from the moment you press record until the game ends.
Setting up automatic recordings for your favorite team or channel
If you want YouTube TV to record every game from a specific team or every game on a specific channel, use the series recording feature. Search for your team's name or the channel (like ESPN, Fox, or NBC) and select the option to record the entire series. YouTube TV will then automatically record every game that matches that search going forward.
You can manage your series recordings from the Library section of YouTube TV. Go to Library, select "Shows," and you'll see all your active series recordings listed. From there you can turn off a series recording if you no longer want new games recorded, or delete individual games you've already watched and don't need to keep.
Where your recorded games appear and how to watch them
All your recorded NFL games show up in the Library section of YouTube TV. Open the app or website, tap or click Library, then select "Shows" to see your recordings organized by team or channel name. Each game appears with a thumbnail image, the date it aired, and how long it is.
Tap or click on any recorded game to start watching. You can pause, rewind, and fast-forward through the entire game just like you would on a traditional DVR. If you're watching on a phone or tablet and switch to your TV, you can pick up where you left off on the bigger screen — YouTube TV remembers how far through the game you've watched.
How long YouTube TV keeps your recorded games
YouTube TV stores your recorded NFL games in the cloud for up to nine months from the date they aired. After nine months, the recording automatically deletes. This gives you plenty of time to watch games from the entire regular season and playoffs, but you won't be able to keep recordings from previous seasons indefinitely.
If you want to keep a game longer than nine months, you would need to read it to your device before the nine-month window closes. However, YouTube TV does not offer a read feature for recorded content, so once the nine months are up, the recording is gone. Plan to watch or delete recordings you want to keep before that important date.
NFL games you cannot record through YouTube TV
YouTube TV can only record games that air on channels included in your YouTube TV package. Most NFL games air on traditional broadcast and cable channels like CBS, Fox, ESPN, and NBC, which YouTube TV carries. However, some NFL games air exclusively on streaming services that YouTube TV does not include, such as Amazon Prime Video's Thursday Night Football or Peacock's Sunday Night Football games.
If a game is only available on a streaming service you don't subscribe to, YouTube TV cannot record it because the game doesn't air on any YouTube TV channel. In those cases, you would need to record the game through the streaming service itself if it offers that feature, or watch it live on that platform.
Common issues when recording NFL games
If you try to record a game and the record button doesn't appear, the game may not be airing on a YouTube TV channel. Check which channel the game is on — if it's on a streaming-only service, YouTube TV won't be able to record it. You can see which channels are included in your YouTube TV package by going to Settings and checking your channel list.
If you've set up a series recording but some games aren't being recorded, check that your series recording is still active. Go to Library, select Shows, and look for the series. If it's turned off, tap or click it to turn it back on. Also make sure you have enough storage — though YouTube TV offers unlimited DVR space, occasionally a technical issue can prevent a recording. If a game didn't record, you can usually watch it on-demand through the YouTube TV app if the network offers replays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record NFL games on YouTube TV if I'm traveling or outside the US?
You can record games from anywhere, but you can only watch your recordings while you're in the United States. YouTube TV's DVR feature is limited to US locations due to licensing agreements. If you travel outside the US, you won't be able to access your recorded games until you return.
Do I need a special YouTube TV plan to use the DVR feature?
No. Every YouTube TV package includes unlimited cloud DVR storage at no extra cost. You don't need to pay extra or upgrade to a higher tier to record games.
What happens if I cancel my YouTube TV subscription — do I keep my recorded games?
No. When you cancel YouTube TV, all your recorded games are deleted. Your recordings are stored in YouTube TV's cloud system and are only available as long as your subscription is active.
Can I share my recorded NFL games with someone who doesn't have YouTube TV?
No. Recorded games are tied to your YouTube TV account and can only be watched by people signed into that account on their devices. You cannot read or share recordings with others.
If I record a game but don't watch it before nine months pass, is it gone forever?
Yes. YouTube TV automatically deletes recordings after nine months. There is no way to extend that important date or recover a deleted recording. If you want to keep a game, you need to watch or delete it yourself before the nine-month window closes.