YouTube TV does not carry SEC+, the SEC's streaming service
YouTube TV's live TV package does not include SEC+, which is the Southeastern Conference's direct-to-consumer streaming platform. SEC+ shows games and events that the conference does not sell to national broadcasters like ESPN or CBS. If you want to watch SEC+ content, you need a separate subscription to that service in addition to YouTube TV.
YouTube TV does carry the major networks that broadcast SEC games — ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, and occasionally ABC — so you will see many conference games there. But the games that air exclusively on SEC+ will not appear on YouTube TV, even if you have a full subscription to the service.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube TV includes ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, and ABC, which broadcast most SEC football and basketball games, but not SEC+ exclusive games.
- SEC+ is a separate paid subscription that you purchase directly from the SEC, not through YouTube TV or any cable provider.
- You can check the SEC's schedule before the season to see which games air on SEC+ versus national networks.
- YouTube TV's sports lineup changes by region, so the exact channels available depend on your location.
What channels does YouTube TV include for college sports
YouTube TV carries the major broadcast and cable networks that show college sports. This includes ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, CBS, Fox, FS1, and ABC. These networks broadcast the majority of SEC football and basketball games, along with games from other conferences.
The exact lineup varies slightly by region. Some markets receive additional regional sports networks or local channels. You can check your specific channel list in the YouTube TV app or on the YouTube TV website by entering your zip code before you subscribe.
How SEC+ works and what it shows
SEC+ is owned and operated by the Southeastern Conference itself. The service streams games, practices, and other SEC events that the conference does not sell to ESPN, CBS, or other national networks. These are typically lower-profile games or sports outside football and men's basketball — though occasionally a football or basketball game will air exclusively on SEC+.
You buy SEC+ directly from the SEC's website or through the ESPN app, not through YouTube TV or a cable provider. The cost and subscription terms are set by the SEC, not by YouTube TV. Some games may require both an SEC+ subscription and a cable or streaming login to watch.
Which SEC games appear on YouTube TV versus SEC+
The SEC releases its schedule before each season, and the schedule shows which network will broadcast each game. Games marked for ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, ABC, or FS1 will be available on YouTube TV. Games marked SEC+ will not.
High-profile matchups — especially football games between ranked teams — almost always go to ESPN or CBS because those networks pay more for the rights. SEC+ typically carries games between lower-ranked teams, non-conference opponents, or sports like volleyball, gymnastics, and baseball. The conference uses SEC+ to may support every game is broadcast somewhere, even if it is not on a major network.
Before the season starts, you can view the full SEC schedule on the conference's official website. This tells you exactly which games require SEC+ and which will be on YouTube TV.
Other sports networks not on YouTube TV
YouTube TV does not carry every sports streaming service. In addition to SEC+, you will not find ACC Network Extra, Pac-12 Networks, or Big Ten Plus on YouTube TV. These are conference-specific streaming platforms similar to SEC+.
YouTube TV also does not include Peacock Premium, which carries some college sports and NFL games, or Apple TV+, which has started broadcasting some college football games. If you want to watch content from multiple streaming services, you will need separate subscriptions to each one.
How to find out which games are on YouTube TV each week
The easiest way is to open the YouTube TV app and search for the team or sport you want to watch. YouTube TV will show you upcoming games and which channel they air on. If a game does not appear in the search results, it is likely on a streaming service YouTube TV does not carry, such as SEC+.
You can also check the SEC's official website or the ESPN app, which lists all SEC games and their broadcast locations. If the listing says SEC+, you know it will not be on YouTube TV. If it says ESPN, CBS, ABC, or Fox, you can watch it through YouTube TV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch SEC+ games through YouTube TV if I pay extra?
No. SEC+ is not available as an add-on to YouTube TV. You must purchase SEC+ separately, directly from the SEC or through the ESPN app. YouTube TV's subscription does not include any option to add SEC+ content.
Will YouTube TV add SEC+ in the future?
YouTube TV's channel lineup is determined by licensing agreements with networks and services. Whether SEC+ becomes available on YouTube TV would depend on a new agreement between Google and the SEC. There is no public announcement about this happening, but streaming services do add and remove channels over time.
What is the cheapest way to watch all SEC games?
YouTube TV covers most SEC games through ESPN, CBS, and ABC. For the remaining games on SEC+, you would need a separate SEC+ subscription. The total cost depends on YouTube TV's current price plus SEC+'s subscription fee. Some games may also air on regional networks or require a cable login, so checking the schedule before the season helps you understand what you need.
Do I need cable to watch SEC+ games?
Some SEC+ games require a cable or streaming TV login to watch, while others do not. The SEC's schedule will specify which games are cable-login required. If you have YouTube TV, you can use that login to access some cable-gated content, though not all SEC+ games work this way.
Are there other ways to watch SEC games besides YouTube TV and SEC+?
Yes. ESPN+, a separate subscription from YouTube TV, carries some SEC games. Sling TV and Hulu with Live TV also carry ESPN and CBS. The specific games available depend on which service you use and which networks they include. Checking the SEC schedule tells you which network each game is on, then you can choose the service that carries it.