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 live TV channels, cloud DVR storage, and the ability to watch on multiple devices at once. The price includes local broadcast networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox) in most markets, plus cable channels like ESPN, CNN, HGTV, and others depending on your location.

This is the only plan YouTube TV offers right now. There is no cheaper tier or premium tier — everyone pays the same monthly rate for the same base service. The price has changed several times over the years, so if you last checked a while ago, the current cost may be different from what you remember.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube TV costs $72.99 per month with no separate tiers or add-on packages to buy.
  • The price includes over 100 live channels, unlimited cloud DVR storage, and simultaneous streaming on up to three devices.
  • You can pause your membership for up to three months without losing your account, then resume without paying a restart fee.
  • YouTube TV does not include premium movie channels like HBO or Showtime, but you can add some of them as separate subscriptions through the app.

What channels and features come with the base price

Your $72.99 monthly payment covers live TV from over 100 channels. The exact lineup varies by zip code because local channels (your ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox affiliates) depend on where you live. You can check your specific channel list by entering your address on YouTube TV's website before you sign up.

The plan also includes unlimited cloud DVR storage, which means you can record as many shows as you want and keep them for up to nine months. You get simultaneous streaming on up to three devices in your household, so three people can watch different channels at the same time. If you need more simultaneous streams, YouTube TV offers a 4K Plus add-on for $13.99 per month, which adds a fourth stream and 4K video quality on supported devices.

Optional add-ons and premium channels

YouTube TV does not bundle premium movie channels into the base plan, but you can add them separately. HBO Max, Showtime, and Starz are available as add-ons through the YouTube TV app, each with its own monthly cost. These are billed together with your YouTube TV bill but are technically separate subscriptions, so you can cancel them independently without affecting your TV service.

The 4K Plus add-on mentioned above ($13.99 per month) is the only feature add-on available. It gives you 4K video quality on compatible devices and raises your simultaneous stream limit from three to four. Standard YouTube TV streams in up to 1080p resolution, which is sufficient for most TVs and devices.

How to pause or cancel your membership

If you want to stop paying temporarily without losing your account, you can pause your membership for up to three months at a time. When you pause, your recordings stay in your cloud DVR, your preferences and settings remain saved, and you do not pay anything during the pause period. You can resume whenever you want without a restart fee or waiting period.

If you decide to cancel instead, you can do so anytime through your account settings. There is no contract, no cancellation fee, and no notice period required. Your access ends at the end of your current billing cycle, and you keep your recordings until that date.

How the billing cycle works

YouTube TV charges you monthly on the same date each month. If you sign up on the 15th, you will be billed on the 15th of every month going forward. Your first charge happens when ready when you complete signup, not at the end of a trial period.

YouTube TV does not currently offer a free trial, though this has changed in the past. Check the YouTube TV website or app to see if a trial is running at the moment you sign up. If you are a new customer, you may also see promotional pricing for the first few months, which will then jump to the regular $72.99 rate.

Comparing YouTube TV to other live TV services

Other live TV streaming services price differently. Hulu with Live TV costs $76.99 per month for the ad-supported version and includes Hulu's on-demand library along with live channels. Sling TV offers lower-priced plans starting around $40 per month but with fewer channels. YouTube TV sits in the middle-to-upper range in terms of price, but the exact value depends on which channels matter to you and how many simultaneous streams you need.

The main difference between YouTube TV and cable is that you pay month-to-month with no contract and can cancel anytime. Cable often requires a contract and charges early termination fees. YouTube TV also lets you pause for up to three months, which cable does not offer. However, cable may include internet and phone service bundled at a lower total cost if you need those services too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does YouTube TV charge a setup fee or installation fee?

No. You pay only the monthly subscription cost of $72.99. There is no setup fee, installation fee, or equipment rental charge. You can watch on any device that has the YouTube TV app — phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, streaming devices like Roku or Apple TV, and others.

Can I share my YouTube TV account with family members in another house?

YouTube TV allows up to six household members on one account, but they must be in the same household. If someone moves out or lives elsewhere, they should not use the account. YouTube TV can detect when streams are coming from different locations and may ask you to verify the account. Sharing across households violates the terms of service.

What happens if I go over my simultaneous stream limit?

If three people are already watching and a fourth person tries to start a stream, the fourth person will see an error message saying the limit has been reached. One of the other viewers must stop watching first. The 4K Plus add-on raises this limit to four simultaneous streams.

Is there a student discount or family plan discount?

YouTube TV does not offer student discounts or family plan pricing. Everyone pays the same $72.99 per month regardless of age or status. However, if you have a YouTube Premium subscription, you may see bundled pricing options when you sign up for YouTube TV — check the app for current offers.

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 can access your recordings and some on-demand content, but you cannot watch live TV. When you return to the US, live TV access resumes automatically.