YouTube TV costs $72.99 per month for the base plan
YouTube TV's standard plan runs $72.99 per month and includes access to over 100 channels. This is the price most people pay when they sign up. The service lets you watch live TV, sports, news, and entertainment channels on any device with the YouTube TV app or a web browser.
YouTube TV also offers a 4K Plus add-on for $9.99 per month on top of the base plan. This add-on gives you 4K resolution on compatible devices and allows you to read shows to watch offline. Without the add-on, you get standard HD streaming.
There are no hidden fees or contracts. You can cancel anytime without penalty. The price you see is what you pay each month—no setup costs, no equipment rental fees, and no installation charges.
Key Takeaways
- The base YouTube TV plan costs $72.99 per month and includes over 100 channels with live TV, sports, and news.
- A 4K Plus add-on is available for $9.99 per month if you want 4K resolution and offline downloads.
- YouTube TV has no contracts, setup fees, or equipment charges—you pay only the monthly subscription.
- You can watch on multiple devices at the same time depending on your plan, and you get cloud storage for recordings.
- The price may vary slightly by region or if YouTube TV runs promotional offers, so check your account for your exact rate.
What channels and features come with the base plan
The $72.99 monthly plan includes major broadcast networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox. You also get cable channels such as ESPN, CNN, HGTV, Food Network, Disney Channel, and Nickelodeon. The exact channel list varies slightly by your location, but most subscribers in the United States see the same core set.
All subscribers get unlimited cloud storage for recordings. You can record shows and keep them for up to nine months. You can also pause live TV and rewind up to 72 hours on most channels, which is useful if you miss the start of a program.
The base plan allows you to stream on up to three devices at the same time. If you need to watch on more devices simultaneously, you can add a Family Plan upgrade for $14.99 per month, which raises the limit to six simultaneous streams and gives each household member their own profile.
The Family Plan upgrade and what it adds
The Family Plan costs $14.99 per month on top of your base subscription, bringing your total to $87.98 per month. This upgrade is worth considering if multiple people in your household watch at the same time or if you want separate viewing profiles.
With the Family Plan, you get six simultaneous streams instead of three. Each person can have their own profile with personalized recommendations and watch history. Parental controls are also included, so you can restrict content by rating on specific profiles—useful if children in the house watch YouTube TV.
Without the Family Plan, you are limited to three streams at once. If a fourth person tries to watch while three others are already streaming, the oldest stream will stop. For households with multiple TV sets or frequent simultaneous viewers, the Family Plan usually pays for itself in convenience.
How the 4K Plus add-on works
The 4K Plus add-on costs $9.99 per month and requires compatible hardware. You need a device that supports 4K streaming—examples include newer smart TVs, the Chromecast with Google TV, and some streaming boxes. Older devices or phones may not display 4K even with the add-on purchased.
The add-on also includes offline downloads. You can read select shows and movies to your phone or tablet and watch them without an internet connection. This is helpful for travel or when your connection is unreliable. Downloaded content expires after 30 days or when you stop your subscription, whichever comes first.
If you do not have 4K-compatible devices or do not care about offline viewing, you do not need this add-on. The base plan streams in HD, which looks sharp on most televisions and devices.
Comparing YouTube TV to other live TV services
YouTube TV is one of several live TV streaming services. Hulu + Live TV costs $76.99 per month for the base plan and includes Hulu's on-demand library. Sling TV starts at $39.99 per month but carries fewer channels. Fubo costs $79.99 per month and emphasizes sports. The channel lineup, number of simultaneous streams, and add-on costs differ across each service.
YouTube TV's main advantage is the large channel count and the ability to record unlimited shows. The main trade-off is the price—it is among the higher-cost options. If you watch a lot of live TV and want to record programs, YouTube TV may offer better value than services with smaller channel lists or limited recording.
The best choice depends on which channels matter to you and how many people in your household watch at once. Check the channel list on each service's website to see which one matches your viewing habits.
How to check your exact price and any current offers
Your YouTube TV price may differ slightly from the standard rate depending on your location, when you signed up, or if you are part of a promotional offer. To see your exact monthly cost, open the YouTube TV app or website, go to Settings, and select Membership. Your current plan and price will appear there.
YouTube TV occasionally runs promotions for new subscribers—for example, a discounted first month or a free trial period. These offers change frequently and vary by region. If you are a new subscriber, check the sign-up page to see if any current offer applies to you.
If you have been a subscriber for a long time, your rate may be locked in at an older price. YouTube TV has raised prices in the past, but existing subscribers are sometimes grandfathered in. If your price is lower than the current standard rate, you may keep that rate as long as you stay subscribed.
Canceling YouTube TV and what happens to your recordings
You can cancel your YouTube TV subscription anytime without penalty. To cancel, go to Settings, select Membership, and choose Cancel Membership. The cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle, so you can keep watching until then.
When you cancel, your cloud recordings are deleted. If you want to keep any shows, you need to read them before your subscription ends—though downloads are only available if you have the 4K Plus add-on. If you cancel and then resubscribe later, your old recordings will be gone.
If you pause your subscription instead of canceling, you can resume within a certain time frame without losing your recordings. Pausing is useful if you want to take a break for a few months but plan to return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does YouTube TV charge any fees besides the monthly subscription?
No. YouTube TV has no setup fees, installation charges, or equipment rental costs. You pay only the monthly subscription price. The 4K Plus and Family Plan upgrades are optional add-ons, but the base plan itself has no hidden fees.
Can I watch YouTube TV on my phone and TV at the same time?
Yes, as long as you do not exceed your simultaneous stream limit. The base plan allows three streams at once, so you could watch on your phone, tablet, and TV simultaneously. The Family Plan upgrade raises this to six streams.
What happens if I go over my simultaneous stream limit?
The oldest active stream will stop playing. For example, if three people are watching and a fourth person starts a stream on the base plan, the first person's stream will end. They can restart it after someone else stops watching.
Is there a free trial for YouTube TV?
YouTube TV occasionally offers free trial periods for new subscribers, but these promotions change and vary by location. Check the sign-up page to see if a trial is currently available in your area. You will need to provide a payment method to start a trial.
Can I share my YouTube TV account with people outside my household?
YouTube TV's terms of service state that the account is for household use only. Sharing with people outside your home may violate the terms. YouTube TV has tools to detect and prevent account sharing across different locations.