YouTube TV does not include YouTube Premium
YouTube TV and YouTube Premium are separate services with different features, and paying for one does not give you the other. YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service that carries cable channels, sports, and news. YouTube Premium is a subscription that removes ads from regular YouTube videos, lets you read videos to watch offline, and gives you access to YouTube Music and YouTube Originals. You need to pay for both if you want both.
The confusion happens because both services have "YouTube" in the name and both cost money. But they solve different problems. YouTube TV replaces cable. YouTube Premium changes how you watch regular YouTube videos and use YouTube Music. A YouTube TV subscriber still sees ads on YouTube.com unless they also pay for Premium.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube TV and YouTube Premium are two separate paid services that do not overlap — buying one does not give you the other.
- YouTube TV gives you live TV channels and on-demand shows; YouTube Premium removes ads from YouTube videos and includes offline downloads and YouTube Music.
- If you have YouTube TV, you still see ads when you watch regular YouTube videos unless you also subscribe to YouTube Premium.
- YouTube Premium costs less than YouTube TV, so some people subscribe to Premium alone without ever using YouTube TV.
What YouTube TV includes
YouTube TV is a live television service. It carries over 100 channels including ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, ESPN, CNN, HGTV, and others depending on your region. You get cloud DVR storage so you can record shows and watch them later. You can stream on multiple devices at once, though the number of simultaneous streams depends on your plan.
YouTube TV does not include YouTube Premium features. When you watch a YouTube video on YouTube.com or the YouTube app, you will see ads the same way a non-subscriber does. You cannot read videos. You do not get YouTube Music. YouTube TV is only for live channels and on-demand content from those channels.
What YouTube Premium includes
YouTube Premium removes ads from YouTube videos. When you watch a video on YouTube.com, the YouTube app, or YouTube Music, no ads play before, during, or after the video. You can also read videos and watch them later without an internet connection. This works on phones, tablets, and computers.
YouTube Premium also includes YouTube Music, which is a separate music streaming service. You can listen to songs, create playlists, and play music offline. YouTube Premium also gives you access to YouTube Originals, which are shows and movies made by YouTube.
How to get both services if you want them
You subscribe to each service separately through your Google account. YouTube TV has its own subscription page and its own monthly cost. YouTube Premium has its own subscription page and its own monthly cost. You can cancel either one without affecting the other.
Some people subscribe to YouTube TV for live sports and news, then also subscribe to YouTube Premium to remove ads from regular YouTube videos. Some people subscribe to only YouTube Premium and never use YouTube TV. The choice depends on what you watch.
YouTube Premium family plans and YouTube TV
YouTube Premium offers a family plan that covers up to six people in your household. Each person gets their own YouTube Premium account with no ads, offline downloads, and YouTube Music access. YouTube TV also offers a family plan, but it is a separate subscription from YouTube Premium. Buying a YouTube Premium family plan does not give anyone in the family YouTube TV.
If your household wants both services, you would need to pay for a YouTube Premium family plan and a YouTube TV plan separately. Some households do this, but it means two monthly charges.
Free YouTube vs. YouTube Premium vs. YouTube TV
Free YouTube is what most people use. You watch videos with ads. You cannot read videos or use offline mode. You do not get YouTube Music. This costs nothing.
YouTube Premium removes ads and adds offline downloads and YouTube Music. This is a monthly subscription.
YouTube TV is a live TV service. It has nothing to do with YouTube Premium. You get cable channels, sports, and news. This is also a monthly subscription, and it usually costs more than YouTube Premium.
You can use free YouTube forever and never subscribe to either service. You can subscribe to YouTube Premium alone. You can subscribe to YouTube TV alone. You can subscribe to both. Each choice is independent.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I pay for YouTube TV, do I get ad-free YouTube videos?
No. YouTube TV only covers live channels and on-demand shows from those channels. When you watch regular YouTube videos on YouTube.com or the YouTube app, ads still play. You would need to subscribe to YouTube Premium separately to remove ads from YouTube videos.
Can I use YouTube Premium offline with YouTube TV?
YouTube Premium lets you read YouTube videos to watch offline. YouTube TV does not have an offline read feature for its live channels or on-demand content. The two services do not combine their features.
Is there a bundle that includes both YouTube TV and YouTube Premium?
Google does not currently offer a bundle that includes both services at a discount. You must subscribe to each one separately if you want both. Pricing and bundle options can change, so check the YouTube TV and YouTube Premium websites for current offers.
What if I only want to remove ads from YouTube videos?
Subscribe to YouTube Premium only. You do not need YouTube TV. YouTube Premium removes ads from YouTube videos, includes offline downloads, and gives you YouTube Music access. YouTube TV is not required.
Can I share a YouTube TV account with someone who has YouTube Premium?
YouTube TV and YouTube Premium are separate services with separate sharing rules. YouTube TV allows multiple people to watch at once depending on your plan. YouTube Premium has a family plan for up to six people. You can share both services with the same household, but you manage them separately.