Yes, you can mark channels as favorites on YouTube TV
YouTube TV lets you star channels you watch most often, and they'll appear in a separate section at the top of your channel list. This feature works on the web, mobile apps, and connected TV devices. The starred channels stay in that priority spot until you remove the star.
The process takes one click or tap, and you can star as many channels as you want. There's no limit to how many favorites you can save, so you can organize your entire viewing routine this way.
Key Takeaways
- Starred channels appear in a dedicated section above your full channel list on all devices where you watch YouTube TV.
- You star a channel by clicking or tapping the star icon next to its name, which takes one second and requires no confirmation.
- Your starred channels sync across all your devices — star something on your phone and it appears on your TV automatically.
- You can unstar channels just as quickly by clicking the star again, and the change takes effect when ready.
- Starred channels are personal to your YouTube TV profile, so other household members see only their own favorites.
How to star a channel on web and mobile
On the YouTube TV website or mobile app, find the channel you want to favorite. Look for a star icon next to the channel name — it will be outlined (empty) if you haven't starred it yet. Click or tap that star once, and it fills in solid. The channel moves to your Favorites section when ready.
You'll see your Favorites section at the very top of the channel list, before all other channels. The starred channels appear in the order you starred them, with the most recently starred channel at the end.
Starring channels on your TV device
On a connected TV (Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chromecast, or Samsung TV), navigate to the channel you want to star using your remote. Highlight the channel and look for a star icon on the screen — the exact location depends on your device, but it's usually in the channel details or next to the channel name.
Press the button your remote uses to select or confirm (often labeled OK, Select, or Enter). The star fills in, and the channel moves to your Favorites section. The process is the same whether you're browsing the full channel list or watching live TV.
Where your favorite channels appear
Your starred channels show up in a Favorites row or section at the top of the channel guide, separate from the rest of your channels. This makes them faster to find when you're scrolling. The Favorites section appears the same way on web, mobile, and TV devices.
If you star many channels, they may scroll horizontally on some devices, or you may need to scroll down slightly to see all of them. The exact layout depends on your device and screen size, but the Favorites section always comes first.
How your favorites sync across devices
When you star a channel on your phone, it automatically appears in your Favorites section on your TV and computer within seconds. The same goes the other way — star something on your TV and it shows up on your phone when ready. YouTube TV syncs your starred channels through your account, so they follow you across every device you use.
This means you can organize your channels once and see the same Favorites list everywhere. If you unstar a channel on one device, it disappears from Favorites on all your devices.
Removing a channel from your favorites
To unstar a channel, find it in your Favorites section or anywhere in the channel list and click or tap the filled-in star icon. It becomes outlined again, and the channel moves out of your Favorites section. It stays in your full channel list — unstaring just removes it from the priority section.
You can unstar channels as often as you want with no penalty. Many people rearrange their favorites seasonally (starring sports channels during their season, for example) or as their viewing habits change.
Common issues and what to try
If a star icon doesn't appear next to a channel, make sure you're signed into your YouTube TV account. Channels you've hidden from your channel list won't show a star option — unhide the channel first if you want to star it. On TV devices, the star icon might be in a menu rather than visible on the main screen; check your device's help section for the exact location.
If your starred channels aren't syncing across devices, sign out of YouTube TV completely on one device and sign back in. This forces a refresh of your account data. If the problem persists, restart the app or device. Starred channels should sync within a few seconds of starring them, so if nothing appears after a minute, try refreshing the channel list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can other people in my household see my favorite channels?
No. Each person with their own YouTube TV profile sees only their own starred channels. If you share a YouTube TV account with family members, you each have separate profiles, and each profile has its own Favorites section. This keeps everyone's viewing preferences private.
What's the difference between starring a channel and hiding it?
Starring puts a channel at the top of your list for quick access. Hiding removes a channel from your list entirely so you don't see it when browsing. You can star channels you watch often and hide channels you never want to see, and these are separate actions.
Can I reorder my favorite channels?
YouTube TV doesn't have a manual reorder feature. Your starred channels appear in the order you starred them, with the oldest star first. If you want to change the order, unstar all of them and star them again in your preferred order.
Do I lose my favorite channels if I cancel YouTube TV?
Your starred channels are saved to your account. If you rejoin YouTube TV later, your Favorites list will be there. However, if your account is deleted, your starred channels are deleted with it.
Is there a limit to how many channels I can star?
No. You can star as many channels as you want. YouTube TV doesn't impose a limit on the number of favorites you can save, though having many starred channels means your Favorites section may scroll on smaller screens.