YouTube TV costs $72.99 per month for the base plan

YouTube TV's standard plan runs $72.99 monthly and includes live TV from over 100 channels, cloud DVR storage with no expiration date, and the ability to watch on up to three devices at once. This is the entry-level option most people choose. The price has increased several times since YouTube TV launched in 2017, so if you last checked years ago, expect the current cost to be higher.

You can pause your membership for up to three months without losing your account or settings, then resume when you're ready. This matters if you know you'll want the service back later but need a break now. Pausing costs nothing and doesn't count toward any contract.

Key Takeaways

  • The base YouTube TV plan costs $72.99 per month and includes over 100 live channels plus unlimited cloud DVR.
  • A premium add-on package called YouTube TV Premium costs an additional $14.99 per month and adds premium channels like HBO Max, Showtime, and Starz.
  • You can add individual premium channels separately if you don't want the full Premium package—for example, Max (formerly HBO Max) costs $15.99 monthly on its own.
  • YouTube TV lets you pause your subscription for up to three months at no cost if you need to stop temporarily.
  • The price you pay may vary slightly by location and can change, so checking YouTube TV's official website confirms your exact cost before you sign up.

YouTube TV Premium add-on channels

If you want more channels beyond the base 100+, YouTube TV offers a Premium add-on for $14.99 per month. This bundle includes HBO Max, Showtime, Starz, and Paramount+. You don't have to buy the whole Premium package—you can add individual channels instead if you only want one or two.

For example, Max (the streaming service formerly called HBO Max) costs $15.99 per month if you add it alone through YouTube TV. Paramount+ costs $5.99 or $11.99 depending on whether you want ads. Showtime runs $10.99 monthly. Adding channels one at a time usually costs more than the Premium bundle, so compare what you actually watch before deciding.

Family plan and multiple profiles

Your YouTube TV account includes up to six user profiles at no extra cost. Each person in your household can have their own profile with separate watch history, recommendations, and DVR recordings. You can watch on up to three devices at the same time on the base plan, which covers most households.

If more than three people in your home want to watch at once, you'll need to upgrade. YouTube TV doesn't advertise a separate "family plan" with a higher price—instead, you manage who has access through your account settings. Everyone on the account shares the same $72.99 monthly charge.

What's included in the base plan

The $72.99 monthly cost covers live TV from channels like ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, ESPN, CNN, HGTV, Food Network, and many others. The exact channel list varies slightly by your location, so YouTube TV shows you which channels are available in your zip code before you commit. You get unlimited cloud DVR storage—recordings don't expire and don't count against any limit.

You can also restart live TV up to three days in the past on most channels, meaning if you missed the start of a show, you can go back and watch from the beginning. This feature works differently than DVR because you're not recording; YouTube TV is letting you rewind the live broadcast window.

How to check your current bill

If you already have YouTube TV, you can see your exact monthly charge and any add-ons by opening the YouTube TV app or website, going to Settings, and selecting Membership. This page shows your current plan, the next billing date, and a history of past charges. If you've added premium channels, they'll appear as separate line items.

YouTube TV bills you on the same date each month. If you cancel, your access ends at the end of your current billing period—you won't be charged again, but you can still watch until that date passes. If you pause instead of canceling, your account stays active and you can resume anytime within the three-month pause window.

Comparing YouTube TV to other live TV services

Other live TV streaming services price differently. Hulu + Live TV costs around $76.99 per month for the base plan with ads, or $89.99 without ads. Sling TV offers lower-priced plans starting around $40 per month but with fewer channels. FuboTV runs about $79.99 monthly. YouTube TV sits in the middle of the market by price and channel count, but the best choice depends on which channels matter to you.

YouTube TV's main advantage over some competitors is the unlimited DVR storage and the ability to restart live TV. Other services limit how much you can record or charge extra for DVR. If you watch a lot of sports or news and want to record everything, YouTube TV's unlimited storage saves money compared to services that charge per gigabyte or limit your library.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does YouTube TV charge a setup fee or set up fee?

No. You pay only the monthly subscription cost—$72.99 for the base plan. There are no hidden fees, setup charges, or set up costs. If you add premium channels, those costs appear on your bill starting the next billing cycle.

Can I get a discount if I pay for a year upfront?

YouTube TV does not offer annual payment plans or discounts for paying multiple months in advance. You pay month to month only. Some competitors like Hulu offer small discounts for annual prepayment, but YouTube TV does not.

What happens to my bill if YouTube TV raises prices?

YouTube TV notifies you by email before any price increase takes effect. You have the option to cancel before the new price applies. If you don't cancel, your next billing date will reflect the new amount. Price increases have happened several times since the service launched.

Is there a free trial?

YouTube TV occasionally offers free trial periods, usually around one week, but this varies by location and time of year. Check the YouTube TV website to see if a trial is currently available in your area. During a trial, you get full access to the base plan at no cost.

Do I pay the same price if I watch on my phone versus my TV?

No—you pay one monthly price regardless of which devices you use. The $72.99 covers watching on your phone, tablet, computer, TV, or any other supported device. You're limited to three simultaneous streams, not three devices total, so you can own more devices than that.