YouTube TV does not include a music streaming service, but it does offer music content through live TV channels
YouTube TV is a live television service, not a music streaming platform. It does not give you access to a music library where you can search for and play songs on demand. However, if you subscribe to YouTube TV, you do get live music programming through cable channels like MTV, VH1, and music-focused networks, depending on your package and location.
If you want on-demand music streaming — the ability to search for a specific song or artist and play it whenever you want — you would need a separate music service. YouTube TV's parent company, Google, owns YouTube Music, which is a different subscription service designed specifically for music. Many people use both YouTube TV for live television and YouTube Music for music streaming, but they are separate products with separate costs.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube TV carries live music channels like MTV and VH1, but does not include a searchable music library or on-demand music streaming.
- YouTube Music is a separate subscription service from YouTube TV and costs extra if you want on-demand music access.
- YouTube Premium, YouTube TV's parent company's ad-free video service, also does not include music streaming — you need YouTube Music for that.
- Some YouTube TV subscribers bundle YouTube Music with other Google services through Google One, which may offer a discount compared to buying them separately.
What music content YouTube TV actually includes
YouTube TV includes live television channels that broadcast music programming. These channels vary by location and your specific package, but typically include MTV, VH1, CMT (Country Music Television), BET, and similar networks. You can watch music videos, live performances, award shows, and music-focused talk shows as they air, just like you would on cable television.
This is different from music streaming. You cannot pause a live broadcast and come back to it later (unless YouTube TV's cloud DVR feature has recorded it), and you cannot search for a specific song to play on demand. You watch what is currently broadcasting on those channels, or you record programs to watch later.
How YouTube Music differs from YouTube TV
YouTube Music is a separate subscription service designed for music listening. It lets you search for songs, artists, albums, or playlists and play them whenever you want. You can create custom playlists, listen offline (on the paid plan), and get recommendations based on your listening history. YouTube Music has both a free version (with ads) and a paid subscription.
YouTube TV does not include YouTube Music. If you want both services, you pay for them separately. Some people bundle YouTube Music with YouTube Premium (the ad-free version of regular YouTube) or with other Google services through Google One, which may cost less than buying each service individually, but YouTube TV itself does not come with music streaming built in.
Whether YouTube Premium includes music
YouTube Premium is Google's ad-free subscription for watching videos on YouTube.com and the YouTube app. It does not include music streaming. YouTube Premium removes ads from regular YouTube videos, allows offline viewing, and enables background play (so you can listen while your phone screen is off), but it does not give you access to YouTube Music's song library.
If you want both ad-free YouTube video viewing and music streaming, you would need to pay for YouTube Premium and YouTube Music separately, or look into bundled pricing through Google One.
Google One bundles and music access
Google One is Google's subscription service that bundles cloud storage, VPN, and other benefits. Some Google One plans include YouTube Premium and YouTube Music together at a lower combined price than buying them separately. However, this is a Google One feature, not a YouTube TV feature — YouTube TV itself is not part of these bundles.
If you are interested in getting both YouTube Premium and YouTube Music at a discount, you can explore Google One's pricing. But if you only have YouTube TV, you would need to add YouTube Music as a separate purchase if you want on-demand music streaming.
Music on YouTube TV through the YouTube app
YouTube TV is a separate app from the main YouTube app. If you have YouTube Music, you use the YouTube Music app or the main YouTube app to access your music. YouTube TV's app is only for watching live television and recorded programs — it does not have a music section.
Some people confuse YouTube TV with the main YouTube app because they are both Google products. The main YouTube app does let you watch music videos if they are uploaded by artists or official channels, but that is not the same as having a music streaming subscription. YouTube Music is the dedicated music service.
Alternatives if you want music with your TV service
If you subscribe to YouTube TV and want music streaming, you have a few options. You can add YouTube Music as a separate subscription. You can use a different music streaming service like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, or Tidal alongside YouTube TV — these work independently and do not require any bundling. Or you can explore whether a bundle like Google One makes sense for your household if you want multiple Google services.
Some cable and streaming TV providers bundle music services with their packages, but YouTube TV does not currently do this. Your choice of music service is separate from your choice of TV service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I listen to music on YouTube TV while I am doing other things?
No. YouTube TV is a television app — it is designed for watching video on a screen. Even if you had YouTube Music, you would use the YouTube Music app or the main YouTube app to listen to music in the background. YouTube TV does not have background audio playback.
Does YouTube TV come with YouTube Music if I pay for both?
No. YouTube TV and YouTube Music are separate services with separate subscriptions and separate costs. You pay for each one independently. Some Google One bundles include YouTube Music and YouTube Premium together, but YouTube TV is not part of those bundles.
Can I watch music videos on YouTube TV?
YouTube TV carries live music channels like MTV and VH1 that show music videos as they air. You cannot search for a specific music video to watch on demand through YouTube TV. If you want to watch specific music videos on demand, you would use the main YouTube app or YouTube Music.
What if I want both YouTube TV and music streaming — what is the cheapest way?
Compare the cost of YouTube TV plus YouTube Music as separate subscriptions against YouTube TV plus a different music service like Spotify or Apple Music. Also check whether a Google One bundle (which includes YouTube Music and YouTube Premium) makes sense for your household. Prices vary by region and change over time, so compare current pricing on each service's website.
Is there a free music option with YouTube TV?
YouTube TV itself does not include any music service. You can watch live music channels like MTV if they are in your package. For free music, you could use the free version of YouTube Music (with ads) or free versions of other music services, but these are separate from YouTube TV and require their own sign-up.