YouTube TV costs $72.99 per month for the base plan as of 2024

YouTube TV's main plan includes over 100 channels—ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, ESPN, CNN, and others—plus cloud DVR storage and the ability to watch on multiple devices at once. The price has risen several times over the past few years. Your actual bill may be higher if you add premium channels, live sports packages, or if your state charges sales tax on streaming services.

You can pause your membership for up to three months without losing your account, which some people do during months when they know they won't watch. There is no contract—you can cancel anytime, and you won't be charged again after you cancel.

Key Takeaways

  • The base YouTube TV plan costs $72.99 per month and includes over 100 channels, cloud DVR, and simultaneous streaming on multiple devices.
  • Add-on packages like sports, entertainment, and premium channels (HBO Max, Showtime, Starz) cost between $10 and $23 per month each.
  • Sales tax applies in most states and will be added to your monthly bill, raising the total cost.
  • You can pause your membership for up to three months without losing your account or paying during that time.
  • YouTube TV does not require a contract, and you can cancel at any time without penalty.

Add-on packages and premium channels

Beyond the base plan, YouTube TV offers optional add-ons. The Sports Plus package adds $10.99 per month and includes channels like NFL RedZone, Pac-12 Network, and others focused on live sports. The Entertainment Plus package costs $9.99 per month and adds channels like AMC+, BritBox, and Hallmark Movies Now.

Premium channels are sold separately. HBO Max costs $19.99 per month (or $199.99 per year if you pay annually), Showtime is $10.99 per month, and Starz is $10.99 per month. You can add or remove these at any time, and they will be prorated to your next billing date if you make changes mid-month.

How simultaneous streams affect your plan choice

The base YouTube TV plan allows you to watch on up to four devices at the same time. If you have a household where multiple people watch at once—say, one person watching on a TV while another watches on a phone—you need to account for this. If four simultaneous streams are not enough, you cannot buy more streams; you would need a second account, which would cost another $72.99 per month.

Cloud DVR storage is unlimited on all plans, so you can record as many shows as you want and keep them for nine months. Recordings do not count against simultaneous streams.

Sales tax and your actual monthly bill

YouTube TV charges sales tax in most states. The amount depends on your state's tax rate and sometimes on your specific city or county. For example, if you live in a state with 8% sales tax, a $72.99 base plan would cost about $78.83 after tax. If you add a $10.99 sports package, the subtotal becomes $83.98, and with tax it might be around $90.70.

You can see the exact tax amount before you complete your purchase. YouTube TV will show you the total cost including tax during checkout, so you will know the final price before your payment method is charged.

Comparing YouTube TV to other streaming TV services

YouTube TV is one of several live TV streaming services. Hulu + Live TV costs $76.99 per month for the base plan (as of 2024), includes similar channel counts, and also charges sales tax. Sling TV is cheaper at $40 per month for a base plan but includes fewer channels. FuboTV focuses on sports and costs $79.99 per month. Each service has different channel lineups, so the right choice depends on which channels matter most to you.

If you do not need live TV and only want on-demand shows and movies, services like Netflix, Disney+, or Hulu (without live TV) cost less per month but do not include live news, sports, or broadcast networks.

Pausing and canceling your membership

If you know you will not use YouTube TV for a while, you can pause your membership for up to three months. During a pause, you will not be charged, but your account, recordings, and settings stay saved. After three months, your membership automatically resumes and you will be charged again unless you cancel instead.

To cancel, go to your account settings and select "Cancel membership." You will not be charged after the cancellation takes effect, and you can rejoin anytime by signing back in and restarting your membership. There is no penalty for canceling.

Family sharing and account access

YouTube TV allows you to add family members to your account. Each family member gets their own login, their own watch history, and their own recommendations. Family members can watch simultaneously up to the limit of your plan (four streams on the base plan). Adding family members does not cost extra—they are included in your monthly fee.

You manage family members through your Google Account settings. You can remove someone from the family group at any time, and they will lose access to YouTube TV when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does YouTube TV offer a free trial?

YouTube TV does not currently offer a free trial period. You can start a paid membership and cancel within a few days if you decide it is not for you, but there is no trial period where you can watch without being charged.

Can I watch YouTube TV on my phone or tablet?

Yes. YouTube TV works on phones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs. The simultaneous stream limit (four on the base plan) applies across all devices, so if someone is watching on the TV, that counts as one of your four allowed streams.

What happens if I go over my simultaneous stream limit?

If all four allowed streams are in use, a fifth person trying to watch will see a message that streams are at capacity. They can wait for someone else to stop watching, or you can add another account for an additional $72.99 per month.

Do I have to pay sales tax on YouTube TV?

Yes, in most states. Sales tax rates vary by location. You will see the total amount including tax before you complete your purchase, so you will know the exact cost before you are charged.

Can I use YouTube TV outside the United States?

YouTube TV is only available in the United States. If you travel outside the country, you will not be able to stream live TV, though you may be able to watch some on-demand content depending on licensing agreements.