YouTube Music is not included with YouTube TV
YouTube TV does not come with a YouTube Music subscription. They are two separate services with separate costs. YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service that carries cable channels, sports, and news. YouTube Music is a music streaming service. You can subscribe to one, the other, or both, but having YouTube TV does not give you access to YouTube Music.
If you want music streaming alongside your YouTube TV service, you need to pay for YouTube Music separately. Google does offer a bundle that combines YouTube TV with YouTube Music, but it costs more than YouTube TV alone.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube TV and YouTube Music are separate subscriptions with separate monthly costs.
- YouTube TV includes live TV channels, on-demand shows, and sports, but no music streaming.
- Google offers a bundle called YouTube TV + Music that combines both services at a higher price than YouTube TV alone.
- If you only want music, YouTube Music Premium is available as a standalone subscription separate from YouTube TV.
- YouTube Premium (the ad-free YouTube service) also does not include YouTube Music or YouTube TV.
How the YouTube TV and YouTube Music bundle works
Google sells a package called YouTube TV + Music that includes both services. This bundle costs more per month than YouTube TV by itself. The bundle gives you all YouTube TV channels and features plus YouTube Music Premium, which removes ads from music and lets you read songs to listen offline.
The bundle is useful if you watch live TV and listen to music regularly. If you only need one service, buying them separately may cost less depending on your usage. Check the current pricing on the YouTube TV website, as bundle costs change and vary by region.
What YouTube Music Premium includes
YouTube Music Premium removes ads, lets you play any song on demand, and allows offline downloads. You can create playlists, get personalized recommendations, and listen to music in the background while using other apps. The service works on phones, tablets, computers, and smart speakers.
YouTube Music Premium is different from the free YouTube Music tier, which plays songs in shuffle mode and includes ads. The free version is available to anyone with a Google account but has significant limitations compared to the paid version.
YouTube Premium does not include YouTube TV or YouTube Music
YouTube Premium (sometimes called YouTube+) removes ads from regular YouTube videos and gives you offline viewing. It does not include YouTube TV or YouTube Music. These are three separate products: YouTube Premium for ad-free video, YouTube TV for live channels, and YouTube Music for music streaming.
If you subscribe to YouTube Premium, you still need separate subscriptions for YouTube TV and YouTube Music if you want those services. Some people confuse these products because they all have "YouTube" in the name and are all owned by Google.
Comparing the cost of buying separately versus the bundle
YouTube TV costs one amount per month. YouTube Music Premium costs a different amount per month. When you buy them separately, you pay both prices. The YouTube TV + Music bundle costs less than the two services added together, so it saves money if you want both.
If you only want YouTube TV and do not listen to music, buying YouTube TV alone is cheaper. If you only want music and do not watch live TV, YouTube Music Premium alone is the better choice. The bundle makes sense only if you use both services regularly.
Other music options if you have YouTube TV
YouTube TV subscribers can use other music streaming services alongside their TV subscription. Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and other services work independently of YouTube TV. You can subscribe to any of these and use them at the same time as YouTube TV without any conflict.
Some people prefer other music services because of their music libraries, recommendation algorithms, or integration with other devices they own. YouTube Music is not the only option, and choosing a different music service does not affect your YouTube TV service.
How to add YouTube Music to your YouTube TV account
If you have YouTube TV and want to add YouTube Music, go to the YouTube TV settings or billing page. You can upgrade to the YouTube TV + Music bundle from there. Google will adjust your monthly charge to reflect the bundle price instead of the YouTube TV price alone.
Alternatively, you can subscribe to YouTube Music Premium separately through the YouTube Music app or website. This keeps the subscriptions separate on your billing, which some people prefer for tracking costs or canceling one service without affecting the other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I listen to YouTube Music while watching YouTube TV?
Yes. If you have YouTube Music Premium, you can use it on a different device while someone else watches YouTube TV, or you can pause the TV and switch to music on the same device. The services do not interfere with each other.
Does YouTube TV come with any music features at all?
YouTube TV does not include music streaming. It includes access to music videos on YouTube if you search for them, but that is different from a music streaming service. You cannot create playlists or listen to songs without ads through YouTube TV alone.
What happens if I cancel YouTube TV but want to keep YouTube Music?
If you have the bundle and cancel YouTube TV, you can keep YouTube Music Premium by switching to a standalone YouTube Music subscription. Your music service will not be interrupted. If you have them as separate subscriptions, canceling YouTube TV does not affect YouTube Music at all.
Is YouTube Music available in my country?
YouTube Music is available in most countries, but not all. Check the YouTube Music website or app to see if it is available where you live. Availability and pricing vary by region.
Can I share a YouTube Music subscription with family members like I do with YouTube TV?
YouTube Music Premium is for individual use. YouTube TV allows multiple household members to watch on different screens at the same time. If you want music for multiple people, each person needs their own YouTube Music subscription or you can use YouTube Music Family Plan if available in your region.