YouTube Premium does not include YouTube TV
No. YouTube Premium and YouTube TV are two separate services with different costs and features. YouTube Premium removes ads from videos you watch and lets you read videos to watch offline. YouTube TV is a live television service that streams cable channels. You pay for them independently—buying one does not give you the other.
This confusion happens because both services have "YouTube" in the name and both are made by Google. But they solve different problems. YouTube Premium is about the YouTube app itself. YouTube TV is about watching live TV channels like ESPN, CNN, and local news, plus on-demand shows from those networks.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube Premium and YouTube TV are separate paid services; a subscription to one does not include the other.
- YouTube Premium removes ads from videos and allows offline downloads, while YouTube TV streams live television channels.
- YouTube Premium costs around $14 per month for an individual plan, while YouTube TV starts around $73 per month depending on your location and channel package.
- If you want both services, you pay for both subscriptions separately each month.
- YouTube Premium does include YouTube Music, but YouTube TV has no music service bundled with it.
What YouTube Premium actually includes
YouTube Premium removes advertisements from the videos you watch on YouTube.com, the YouTube app, and YouTube Music. You can also read videos to your phone or tablet and watch them later without an internet connection. The service costs around $14 per month for a single person, though the price varies slightly by country.
YouTube Premium also includes a subscription to YouTube Music at no extra cost. YouTube Music is a music streaming service similar to Spotify or Apple Music. If you already pay for YouTube Premium, you can use YouTube Music without paying again. If you only want YouTube Music, you can buy it separately for around $11 per month, or get it bundled with YouTube Premium.
YouTube Premium does not include any live television, cable channels, or YouTube TV features. It is only about the YouTube video platform itself and the music service.
What YouTube TV includes instead
YouTube TV is a live television service. You get access to dozens of cable and broadcast channels—the exact list depends on where you live. Most YouTube TV plans include channels like ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, ESPN, CNN, HGTV, and many others. You can watch these channels live or record them to watch later.
YouTube TV also includes on-demand content from those networks, meaning you can watch recent episodes of shows without waiting for them to air live. The base plan starts around $73 per month, though prices and available channels vary by location. Some areas offer add-on packages for sports, international channels, or premium movie channels for extra cost.
YouTube TV does not include YouTube Premium features. You will still see ads on YouTube videos if you use YouTube TV without also paying for YouTube Premium. The two services are completely separate.
Pricing if you want both services
If you want YouTube Premium and YouTube TV together, you pay for both subscriptions. There is no bundle discount. You would pay roughly $14 per month for YouTube Premium plus $73 per month for YouTube TV (prices vary by location and plan), for a total of around $87 per month before taxes.
Some people choose to buy only YouTube Premium if they mainly watch YouTube videos and want to remove ads. Others choose only YouTube TV if they want to watch live television. The choice depends on what you actually watch.
How to tell which service you have
Check your Google Account to see which services you are paying for. Go to myaccount.google.com, select "Payments & subscriptions" on the left side, then look at "Manage subscriptions." You will see a list of all active subscriptions tied to your Google Account.
If you see "YouTube Premium" listed, you have ad-free YouTube and YouTube Music. If you see "YouTube TV" listed, you have the live television service. If both appear, you are paying for both. If neither appears, you have the free versions of YouTube and YouTube TV (YouTube TV offers a free trial period for new members, but after that you must pay).
Free trials and how they work
YouTube TV sometimes offers a free trial period for new members—typically one or two months, though the length changes. During the trial, you get full access to all YouTube TV channels and features without being charged. The trial period is a real way to test the service before committing to a paid subscription.
When the trial ends, your payment method on file will be charged automatically unless you cancel before the trial expires. YouTube will send you reminder emails as the trial end date approaches, but it is your responsibility to cancel if you do not want to continue. YouTube Premium does not currently offer a free trial in most regions, though this can vary.
Switching between services or canceling
You can cancel YouTube Premium or YouTube TV at any time through your Google Account. Go to myaccount.google.com, select "Payments & subscriptions," find the service you want to cancel, and click "Cancel subscription." The cancellation takes effect when ready, and you lose access to that service right away.
If you cancel YouTube Premium, you will start seeing ads on YouTube videos again, and you will lose the ability to read videos. If you cancel YouTube TV, you will no longer be able to watch live television or recorded shows through that service. Canceling one service does not affect the other.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I buy YouTube Premium, can I watch live TV?
No. YouTube Premium only removes ads from YouTube videos and includes YouTube Music. To watch live television channels, you need YouTube TV as a separate subscription. The two services do not overlap.
Does YouTube TV come with YouTube Premium for free?
No. YouTube TV is a paid service that costs around $73 per month depending on your location. It is not bundled with YouTube Premium and does not come free with any YouTube subscription.
Can I use YouTube Premium features on YouTube TV?
No. YouTube Premium removes ads from YouTube videos, but YouTube TV is a separate app and service. If you watch YouTube videos through the YouTube app, you will see ads unless you also pay for YouTube Premium. YouTube TV itself is a different product.
What happens if I cancel YouTube TV but keep YouTube Premium?
You will lose access to live television and recorded shows, but your YouTube Premium subscription continues. You will still have ad-free YouTube videos and YouTube Music. The two services are independent, so canceling one does not affect the other.
Is there a way to get YouTube TV cheaper?
YouTube TV occasionally runs promotions for new members, such as a discounted first month or a free trial period. Prices also vary by location and available channel packages. Check the YouTube TV website or your Google Account to see current pricing and any offers available in your area.