YouTube TV does not include YouTube Music as part of your subscription
YouTube TV and YouTube Music are separate services with separate costs. When you pay for YouTube TV, you get live television channels, on-demand shows and movies, and cloud DVR storage. YouTube Music is a music streaming service that requires its own subscription or a YouTube Premium membership. The two services do not bundle together automatically, though you can subscribe to both if you want them.
This matters because many people assume that owning one Google service means they own the others. YouTube TV is primarily a cable replacement — it streams live channels like ESPN, CNN, and HGTV. YouTube Music streams songs, albums, and playlists, similar to Spotify or Apple Music. They solve different problems and cost different amounts.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube TV does not come with YouTube Music; they are billed separately and require separate subscriptions.
- YouTube TV costs between $73 and $83 per month depending on your plan, while YouTube Music starts at $11.99 per month for an individual plan.
- YouTube Premium ($13.99 per month) includes ad-free YouTube videos and YouTube Music, but does not include YouTube TV.
- If you want both YouTube TV and music streaming, you will pay for them as two separate line items on your bill.
- YouTube Premium and YouTube TV can be purchased together, but they remain separate services with separate features.
What YouTube TV includes
YouTube TV gives you access to live television channels and on-demand content. Your subscription includes channels in categories like news, sports, entertainment, and kids' programming. You also get cloud DVR storage to record shows and watch them later, and the ability to stream on multiple devices at the same time depending on your plan.
YouTube TV does not include music streaming. If you want to listen to music through a YouTube service, you need a separate YouTube Music subscription or a YouTube Premium membership. Some YouTube TV subscribers also pay for YouTube Music, but the two services operate independently.
What YouTube Music includes
YouTube Music is a music streaming service that lets you listen to songs, albums, playlists, and music videos. The free version includes ads and limited skips. The paid version ($11.99 per month for individuals) removes ads, allows unlimited skips, and lets you read songs to listen offline.
YouTube Music does not include YouTube TV or any live television channels. It is only for music and music-related content. If you subscribe to YouTube Music, you still need a separate YouTube TV subscription to watch live TV.
How YouTube Premium relates to both services
YouTube Premium is a third service that includes ad-free YouTube videos and YouTube Music, but does not include YouTube TV. YouTube Premium costs $13.99 per month and removes ads from all YouTube videos you watch. It also includes offline viewing and background play, which means you can listen to YouTube Music while your phone screen is off.
If you want YouTube Premium and YouTube TV together, you pay for both subscriptions separately. There is no bundle that combines all three services. Some people subscribe to YouTube Premium for music and ad-free videos, then add YouTube TV if they want live television.
Pricing and what you actually pay
YouTube TV costs between $73 and $83 per month depending on which plan you choose. The base plan includes most major channels. Higher tiers add premium channels like HBO Max or sports packages.
YouTube Music costs $11.99 per month for an individual subscription, or $19.99 per month for a family plan that covers up to six people. YouTube Premium costs $13.99 per month. If you want YouTube TV and YouTube Music together, you would pay the YouTube TV price plus $11.99 for music — roughly $85 to $95 per month before taxes.
The free versions of both services exist. YouTube TV does not have a free tier, but YouTube Music has a free ad-supported version with limited features. YouTube itself (the video platform) has a free ad-supported version, and YouTube Premium removes those ads.
How to add YouTube Music if you have YouTube TV
If you already have YouTube TV and want to add music streaming, you can subscribe to YouTube Music separately through the same Google account. Open the YouTube Music app or website, select the paid plan, and add it to your existing payment method. Your YouTube TV and YouTube Music subscriptions will appear as separate line items on your Google bill.
Alternatively, you can upgrade to YouTube Premium instead of YouTube Music if you want both music and ad-free YouTube videos. YouTube Premium also includes YouTube Music, so you would get music streaming as part of that subscription. You would still need to pay for YouTube TV separately.
Common confusion between YouTube services
Google owns YouTube, YouTube TV, YouTube Music, and YouTube Premium, which makes it straightforward to assume they are bundled together. They are not. Each service is independent, and you pay for each one you want to use.
Another source of confusion: YouTube Premium (which includes YouTube Music) is sometimes called "YouTube Music Premium" in older articles or support pages. The current official name is YouTube Premium, and it includes both ad-free YouTube and YouTube Music. Do not confuse it with the paid tier of YouTube Music alone, which is just called "YouTube Music" (paid).
Frequently Asked Questions
If I have YouTube Premium, do I get YouTube TV?
No. YouTube Premium includes ad-free YouTube videos and YouTube Music, but not YouTube TV. YouTube TV is a separate subscription that costs $73 to $83 per month. You can own both, but you pay for them separately.
Can I listen to YouTube Music with YouTube TV?
Yes, if you subscribe to YouTube Music separately or have YouTube Premium. YouTube TV does not include music streaming, so you need one of those subscriptions to listen to music through a YouTube service. You can use YouTube Music on any device, including while watching YouTube TV on another device.
Is there a bundle that includes YouTube TV and YouTube Music?
No. Google does not offer a bundle that combines YouTube TV and YouTube Music. You must subscribe to each service separately. YouTube Premium bundles YouTube Music with ad-free YouTube videos, but YouTube TV remains separate.
What if I only want music and not live TV?
Subscribe to YouTube Music alone ($11.99 per month) or YouTube Premium ($13.99 per month) if you also want ad-free YouTube videos. Neither of these includes YouTube TV. If you decide later that you want live television, you can add YouTube TV as a separate subscription.
Do I need a YouTube TV subscription to use YouTube Music?
No. YouTube Music works independently and does not require YouTube TV. You can subscribe to YouTube Music without ever having YouTube TV, and vice versa. They are completely separate services.