YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service you watch through the YouTube app or website
YouTube TV lets you watch live television channels—news, sports, entertainment, and more—streamed to your phone, tablet, computer, or TV device instead of through a cable box. You pay a monthly subscription fee, sign in with a Google account, and stream shows the same way you would watch a YouTube video. There is no equipment to install, no technician visit, and no long-term contract.
The service works by sending video data over the internet to whatever device you choose. If your internet connection is fast enough, the picture quality adjusts automatically. You can pause, rewind, or fast-forward live TV on most channels, and the service records programs automatically so you can watch them later even if you miss the live broadcast.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube TV requires a Google account, a compatible device, and an internet connection fast enough for video streaming—typically 3 megabits per second or higher for one stream.
- You watch live channels and recorded shows through the YouTube TV app or website, with the ability to pause, rewind, and fast-forward most programs.
- The service automatically records programs to a cloud storage library, so you can watch them anytime within a set window—usually nine months.
- Multiple people in your household can watch on different devices at the same time if your plan includes that feature, though the number of simultaneous streams varies by subscription tier.
- You can cancel anytime without penalty, and the service works on phones, tablets, computers, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, and some smart TVs.
What you need to get your free guide with YouTube TV
First, you need a Google account. If you use Gmail, YouTube, or any other Google service, you already have one. If not, you can create one for free at google.com.
Second, you need a compatible device. YouTube TV works on smartphones and tablets running Android or iOS, computers running Windows or Mac, and TV devices including Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Google Chromecast, and many smart TVs made by Samsung, LG, Sony, and others. You do not need a special box or antenna.
Third, you need internet fast enough to stream video. YouTube TV recommends at least 3 megabits per second for one person watching in standard definition, and 7 megabits per second for one person watching in high definition. If multiple people in your household will watch at the same time, you need faster internet—roughly 3 to 7 megabits per second per person, depending on picture quality. You can check your internet speed for free at speedtest.net.
Finally, you need to pay the monthly subscription fee. The price changes periodically and varies depending on which channels and features you want, so check YouTube TV's website for current pricing before you sign up.
How to sign up and start watching
Go to tv.youtube.com on a computer or open the YouTube TV app on your phone, tablet, or TV device. Tap or click "Sign in" and enter your Google account email and password. If you do not have a Google account, create one first.
YouTube TV usually offers a trial period—often one week or two weeks—so you can watch for free before you are charged. During the trial, you have access to all the channels and features included in your chosen plan. The trial period ends automatically, and your first paid month begins unless you cancel before the trial ends.
Once you are signed in, the home screen shows live channels, upcoming programs, and shows you have recorded. Tap or click any program to watch it. If it is airing live right now, you watch the live broadcast. If it has already aired, you watch the recorded version from the cloud library.
Understanding live TV, cloud recording, and the program guide
When you open YouTube TV, you see a program guide that lists what is on each channel right now and what is coming up. It works like the TV guide you might have seen in a newspaper or on cable TV—you scroll through channels and times to find what you want to watch. Tap or click any program in the guide to watch it live or to record it.
Live TV means you are watching a program as it airs, just as you would on cable. You can pause it, rewind it up to a few hours back, or fast-forward through commercials on most channels. If you start watching a program after it has begun, you can rewind to the beginning.
Cloud recording is automatic. When you add a show to your library or when YouTube TV records a program you have marked as a favorite, the service stores it on Google's servers. You can watch recorded programs anytime within a set window—usually nine months from the air date. After that time, the recording expires and is deleted. You do not have to do anything to make this happen; it works in the background.
Your library is where all your recorded shows and movies live. You can search for a specific program, browse by category, or see what you have saved. Recordings stay organized by show name, so if you record multiple episodes of the same program, they appear together.
How simultaneous streaming and household sharing work
The number of people who can watch YouTube TV at the same time depends on your subscription plan. Some plans allow two simultaneous streams, while others allow more. Check the plan details when you sign up to see how many people can watch at once.
If you reach your simultaneous stream limit, the oldest stream stops playing and shows a message on that device. The person watching can restart the program, but only if someone else stops watching on another device first.
YouTube TV is designed for people who live in the same household. The service tracks where you are watching from and may ask you to confirm your home location periodically. If you travel, you can usually watch YouTube TV away from home, but the service has limits on how often you can do this.
Picture quality, internet speed, and what to do if streaming stutters
YouTube TV automatically adjusts video quality based on your internet speed. If your connection is fast, you get high definition. If it slows down, the picture quality drops to keep the stream from stopping. You do not have to change any settings; this happens automatically.
If your stream keeps stopping, buffering, or freezing, your internet connection is probably too slow or too many devices are using it at once. Try these steps: move closer to your Wi-Fi router, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in, or ask other people in your household to stop using the internet while you watch. If the problem continues, contact your internet provider to check your connection speed.
You can also manually lower the video quality in YouTube TV settings if you want to use less internet data, though this will make the picture less sharp. This is useful if you are watching on a phone or tablet and want to save data.
Channels, add-ons, and what is included in your plan
YouTube TV includes a base set of channels—typically major networks like ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox, plus cable channels like ESPN, CNN, and others. The exact list changes, so check YouTube TV's website to see which channels are included in the current plan.
Some channels are available only if you add them as premium add-ons. These cost extra per month on top of your base subscription. Common add-ons include sports packages, movie channels, and international channels. You can add or remove add-ons anytime, and the change takes effect when ready.
YouTube TV also includes on-demand movies and shows from the channels you subscribe to. These are separate from live TV and cloud recordings—they are programs the networks have made available to stream anytime. You can browse them in the app just like you would browse YouTube videos.
Canceling YouTube TV and what happens to your recordings
You can cancel your YouTube TV subscription anytime without penalty. There is no contract, no cancellation fee, and no waiting period. Your access ends at the end of your current billing cycle.
If you cancel, your cloud recordings are deleted, and you lose access to the service. You cannot read recordings to keep them permanently. If you think you might want to watch YouTube TV again later, you can pause your subscription instead of canceling it on some plans, which keeps your library intact for a limited time.
To cancel, go to your account settings in the YouTube TV app or website, find the subscription section, and select "Cancel membership." Follow the prompts to confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a cable box or antenna to use YouTube TV?
No. YouTube TV streams over the internet, so you do not need any special equipment. You only need a compatible device—a phone, tablet, computer, or TV device—and an internet connection.
Can I watch YouTube TV on multiple devices at the same time?
Yes, but the number of simultaneous streams depends on your plan. Most plans allow two or more people to watch at the same time on different devices. If you exceed your limit, the oldest stream stops and you must restart it on a different device.
What happens if my internet goes out?
YouTube TV requires an active internet connection to stream. If your internet is down, you cannot watch live TV or on-demand programs. You can watch previously recorded shows on some devices if they were downloaded, but most streams require a live connection.
Can I watch YouTube TV outside my home?
Yes, you can watch away from home, but YouTube TV limits how often you can do this. The service tracks your home location and may ask you to confirm it periodically. Frequent travel or watching from many different locations may trigger restrictions.
How much storage do I get for recorded shows?
YouTube TV provides unlimited cloud storage for recordings, so you do not run out of space. However, recordings expire and are deleted after nine months, so you cannot keep them permanently.