YouTube TV does not carry SEC Plus as a standalone channel

YouTube TV's base package does not include SEC Plus, the subscription streaming service run by the Southeastern Conference. If you want to watch SEC Plus events, you will need a separate subscription to that service — it does not come bundled with YouTube TV, and adding it to your YouTube TV account is not an option.

SEC Plus streams conference-exclusive games, typically lower-profile matchups that the conference's main broadcast partners (ESPN, CBS, and others) do not carry on cable. The service costs around $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year when purchased directly from the SEC, though prices and availability can shift.

YouTube TV does carry the main channels where SEC sports air most often: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, CBS, and SEC Network. If a game is on one of those channels, your YouTube TV subscription covers it. The gap is only the games that air exclusively on SEC Plus.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube TV includes ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, CBS, and SEC Network, which carry most SEC games, but not SEC Plus itself.
  • SEC Plus streams conference-exclusive games that do not appear on cable channels, and you must pay for it separately.
  • SEC Plus costs roughly $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year when you buy it directly from the SEC.
  • You cannot add SEC Plus through YouTube TV; you must subscribe to it independently and log in on a separate app or website.

Which SEC games YouTube TV actually covers

YouTube TV's sports lineup includes the channels that broadcast the majority of SEC football and basketball. ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU air the conference's marquee matchups and most regular-season games. CBS carries select SEC games under its broadcast agreement with the conference. SEC Network, which is owned by ESPN and dedicated to conference content, is also included in the base YouTube TV package.

The games that do not appear on any of those channels are the ones that land on SEC Plus. These are typically lower-attendance sports or games scheduled at times when the main broadcast partners have other commitments. Football and basketball games on SEC Plus are less common than in other sports, but they do happen, especially early in the season or in non-revenue sports like volleyball, soccer, or baseball.

If you follow a specific SEC team, checking the conference schedule before the season starts will tell you how many of their games air on SEC Plus versus the channels YouTube TV includes. Some teams have more SEC Plus games than others depending on their conference schedule and the year.

How to watch SEC Plus if you need it

You must buy SEC Plus directly from the SEC or through a third-party retailer that sells it. The SEC's official website (secsports.com) is the main place to purchase a subscription. You can also find SEC Plus bundled with some cable and streaming packages, though YouTube TV does not offer this option.

Once you have an SEC Plus account, you log in through the SEC's app or website to watch games. You do not log in through YouTube TV. This means you will be switching between apps or browser tabs to watch SEC games — some on YouTube TV and others on SEC Plus.

Some cable providers bundle SEC Plus with their sports packages at no extra cost, so if you have cable through a major provider, it is worth checking whether SEC Plus is already included in your plan before you pay for it separately.

Other streaming options for SEC sports

If you do not want to juggle multiple subscriptions, some alternatives exist. ESPN+ is a separate streaming service from YouTube TV and includes some SEC content, though not all SEC Plus games. Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV offer similar channel lineups for SEC broadcasts, so switching between them would not solve the SEC Plus problem.

Cable subscriptions (through providers like Comcast, Charter, or AT&T) typically include SEC Network and the main ESPN channels, and some cable packages include SEC Plus as well. The trade-off is that cable costs more than YouTube TV and often requires a contract.

For fans who want the broadest coverage without gaps, combining YouTube TV with an SEC Plus subscription is the most straightforward approach. The total cost is YouTube TV's monthly fee (which varies by plan tier) plus SEC Plus at roughly $10 per month or $100 per year.

Checking your YouTube TV package details

YouTube TV offers different plan tiers, and the base package includes the channels listed above. If you have a higher-tier plan, you may have added premium channels like HBO Max or Showtime, but SEC Plus is not available as an add-on at any tier.

You can see exactly which channels are in your current YouTube TV plan by opening the app, going to Settings, and selecting Channels. This will show you every channel you have access to. If you do not see SEC Plus listed, it is not included, and you will need to buy it separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add SEC Plus to my YouTube TV account?

No. SEC Plus is not available as an add-on through YouTube TV. You must purchase it separately through the SEC's website or a third-party retailer and log in through a different app or website to watch those games.

Will SEC Plus games show up in my YouTube TV guide?

No. SEC Plus games will not appear in your YouTube TV program guide because YouTube TV does not carry that service. You will need to check the SEC's schedule separately to find out when SEC Plus games are happening.

Is SEC Plus worth it if I have YouTube TV?

That depends on how many games your team plays on SEC Plus. If your school has only one or two SEC Plus games per season, it may not be worth the cost. If your team has five or more, the subscription becomes more practical. Check your team's schedule before deciding.

Do I need cable to watch SEC Plus?

No. You can buy SEC Plus directly from the SEC without cable. Some cable packages include it, but a standalone subscription is available to anyone, whether or not they have cable TV.

What sports are on SEC Plus besides football and basketball?

SEC Plus streams baseball, softball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, and other conference sports. Football and basketball games on SEC Plus are less frequent, but the service carries a wide range of SEC athletic events throughout the year.