You can skip most ads on YouTube TV, but not all of them

YouTube TV lets you fast-forward through most commercials during on-demand content — shows and movies you watch from the library rather than live broadcasts. You cannot skip ads during live TV, and some on-demand programs have ads you must watch all the way through. The skip option appears as a button on your screen after a few seconds of an ad playing, and tapping it moves you past that commercial when ready.

The rules depend on what you are watching and when. Live sports, news, and breaking events play unskippable ads because YouTube TV does not control the ad breaks — the broadcaster does. On-demand shows and movies that come with ads (rather than ad-free versions) usually let you skip after 5 seconds, though a small number of programs require you to watch the full commercial.

Key Takeaways

  • Most on-demand shows and movies on YouTube TV let you skip ads after 5 seconds by tapping the skip button on your screen.
  • Live TV broadcasts — sports, news, and real-time events — have unskippable ads because the broadcaster controls the ad breaks, not YouTube TV.
  • Some on-demand programs have ads that cannot be skipped, though this is less common than skippable ads.
  • Upgrading to an ad-free plan removes all commercials from on-demand content but does not affect live TV ads.

How to skip ads on on-demand shows and movies

When you are watching an on-demand program and an ad starts, a countdown timer appears in the corner of the screen. After 5 seconds, a "Skip Ad" button replaces the timer. Tap or click that button to jump past the commercial and return to your show. The button is usually in the bottom right corner on phones and tablets, and in the top right on web browsers and TV apps.

If you do not tap skip, the ad plays to the end and your show resumes automatically. Some ads are shorter than 5 seconds and finish before you can skip them. Occasionally you will see two ads back-to-back; you can skip each one separately if the skip button appears.

Why you cannot skip ads during live TV

Live broadcasts — football games, news programs, award shows — come with ads that you cannot skip. YouTube TV does not insert these ads; the broadcaster does. When you watch live TV, you are watching the same feed as cable customers, which means the same commercial breaks at the same times. YouTube TV has no ability to remove or skip those breaks.

This applies to any live event, whether it is sports, news, or entertainment. If you want to avoid ads during live broadcasts, you would need to watch the on-demand version of the program after it airs, if one becomes available. Many networks post on-demand versions of live shows within hours, and those versions usually allow skipping ads.

Ad-free plans remove commercials from on-demand content

YouTube TV offers an ad-free plan tier that removes all commercials from on-demand shows and movies. This plan costs more per month than the standard plan with ads. The ad-free option does not affect live TV — you still see commercials during live broadcasts even with an ad-free subscription.

To check whether your plan includes ads, open YouTube TV, go to Settings, and look at your current plan. If you want to switch to ad-free, you can change your plan from the same menu. The change takes effect when ready, and you are billed the new amount at your next billing date.

Programs with unskippable ads on demand

Most on-demand content on YouTube TV uses skippable ads, but a small number of shows and movies require you to watch the full commercial. These are usually older programs or content from networks that negotiate stricter ad terms. You will see a message on the screen if an ad cannot be skipped, rather than a skip button appearing after 5 seconds.

If you encounter unskippable ads frequently on a particular show, switching to an ad-free plan removes them entirely. Otherwise, the only option is to watch the ad through to the end. These situations are uncommon, and most viewers encounter them rarely if at all.

Differences between YouTube TV ads and YouTube app ads

YouTube TV and the YouTube app (where you watch regular YouTube videos) have different ad rules. On YouTube TV, you are watching television programs and movies. On the YouTube app, you are watching user-uploaded videos and YouTube Originals. The skip rules are similar — most ads can be skipped after 5 seconds — but the content and ad frequency are different.

If you have a YouTube Premium subscription, it removes ads from the YouTube app but does not affect YouTube TV. These are separate services with separate subscriptions. YouTube TV has its own ad-free plan that works only for YouTube TV content.

What to do if the skip button does not appear

If you are watching on-demand content and no skip button appears after 5 seconds, the ad is either unskippable or your app needs to refresh. Try closing and reopening YouTube TV. If the skip button still does not appear, the program you are watching has unskippable ads, and you will need to watch the commercial through.

If you are watching live TV and expecting a skip button, remember that live broadcasts do not allow skipping. The only way to avoid those ads is to watch the on-demand version later, if available. Check your program guide to see whether an on-demand version is scheduled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip ads on live sports?

No. Live sports broadcasts have unskippable ads because the network controls the ad breaks. If the game is available on demand after it airs, you can skip ads in that version. Check your library or search for the game title to see if an on-demand replay exists.

Does YouTube TV Premium remove all ads?

YouTube TV does not have a "Premium" tier. It has a standard plan with ads and an ad-free plan. The ad-free plan removes commercials from on-demand content only, not from live TV. Live broadcasts always have ads regardless of which plan you have.

Why do some ads play before my show starts?

Pre-roll ads (ads that play before the content starts) are skippable after 5 seconds, just like mid-roll ads. Tap the skip button when it appears. If you are watching live TV, pre-roll ads may be unskippable depending on the network.

Can I fast-forward through ads instead of skipping?

Fast-forward and skip are different. Fast-forward lets you speed through content you want to watch. Skip jumps past ads entirely. On on-demand programs, use the skip button for ads. Fast-forward works on the show itself, not on commercials.

What if I have an ad blocker — will it remove YouTube TV ads?

Ad blockers may interfere with YouTube TV playback or cause errors. YouTube TV is designed to work with ads, and blocking them can break the service. Use the built-in skip button instead of an ad blocker for the best experience.