Where to find and change your channel lineup
You change your YouTube TV channel lineup in the Settings menu on whatever device you're watching from. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're on a phone, tablet, computer, or TV, but the Settings option is always your starting point. Once you're in Settings, you'll find a section for your membership or plan that shows which channels you currently receive and lets you add or remove them.
The channel lineup you see depends on two things: which add-on packages you've paid for, and which channels are available in your location. YouTube TV's base package includes the same major networks everywhere—ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, ESPN, and others—but some regional sports networks and specialty channels vary by zip code. If a channel isn't showing up as an option to add, it's either not available where you live or it's already included in your current plan.
Key Takeaways
- Open Settings from the home screen or menu, then look for your membership or plan section to see all available channels and add-ons.
- You can add premium channels like HBO Max, Showtime, or Starz as separate monthly subscriptions directly through YouTube TV.
- Removing channels from your view doesn't cancel your subscription—you're just hiding them; you can unhide them anytime at no extra cost.
- Changes to your lineup take effect when ready on all your devices once you save them.
- If a channel you want isn't listed as available, check your zip code in Settings, because some channels are location-specific.
Adding premium channels and add-on packages
YouTube TV offers premium channels as separate add-ons you can subscribe to monthly. These include HBO Max, Showtime, Starz, Paramount+, and others. To add one, go to Settings, find the Memberships section, and look for "Add-ons" or "Premium channels." You'll see the monthly price for each one. Click or tap the one you want, confirm the charge, and it's added to your bill when ready. You can cancel any add-on anytime without penalty, and the cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle.
Some add-ons bundle multiple channels together. For example, the HBO Max add-on gives you HBO, HBO Max, and Cinemax all in one subscription. Before you add something, check what's included so you're not paying for channels you already get through another service. YouTube TV shows you exactly what each add-on contains before you confirm the purchase.
Hiding and unhiding channels from your guide
If your channel guide feels cluttered, you can hide channels you don't watch without removing them from your account. This is different from canceling a subscription—you're just removing them from your view. To hide a channel, go to your channel guide, find the channel, and look for a hide or remove option (usually a three-dot menu or an X icon). The channel stays in your account and you can watch it anytime; it just won't appear in your guide.
To unhide a channel later, go back to Settings, find your channel list, and look for a "Manage channels" or "Hidden channels" option. You'll see all the channels you've hidden and can restore any of them to your guide with one tap. This is useful if you hide a channel temporarily and want it back, or if you change your mind about what you want to see.
Checking your location and available channels
YouTube TV's channel lineup varies by location because of how broadcast rights work. Some regional sports networks, local news channels, and specialty channels are only available in certain areas. If you're looking for a specific channel and can't find it in your add-on options, your location might be the reason.
To check which channels are available in your area, go to Settings and look for your zip code or location information. You can update your zip code there if you've moved. After you change it, YouTube TV will show you the channels available at your new location. If you're traveling and using YouTube TV away from home, your location may temporarily change based on where you're connecting from, which can affect which channels appear.
Managing your channel lineup across devices
Any changes you make to your channel lineup—adding add-ons, hiding channels, or updating your location—sync across all your devices automatically. If you add HBO Max on your phone, it appears on your TV, computer, and tablet within a few minutes. You don't have to make the same change on each device separately.
If a channel isn't showing up on one device but appears on another, try signing out and back in on the device where it's missing. Sometimes a device needs to refresh its connection to your account to see the latest changes. If that doesn't work, restart the YouTube TV app or your device and try again.
What happens when channels are removed or added to YouTube TV
Occasionally YouTube TV adds new channels to the base package or removes channels due to licensing disputes. When this happens, you'll usually get a notification in the app or an email. If a channel you subscribe to is removed, YouTube TV typically gives you a credit or refund for the remaining time in your billing cycle. If a new channel is added to the base package, it appears in your guide automatically at no extra cost.
If you lose access to a channel you were watching regularly, you can check YouTube TV's support page or your account notifications to see what happened and whether there's an alternative way to watch that content. Sometimes a channel moves to a different package or becomes available through a different add-on.
Troubleshooting missing or incorrect channels
If you're not seeing a channel you think you should have, start by checking your membership section in Settings to confirm you actually have it. Some channels are part of add-ons that cost extra, and others are included in the base package but only in certain locations. Verify your zip code is correct and that you're not in a location where that channel isn't available.
If a channel should be there and isn't, try signing out of YouTube TV completely and signing back in. This refreshes your account information and often fixes display problems. If you're still not seeing it after that, contact YouTube TV support through the Help section in Settings. They can check your account directly and tell you whether the channel is available to you or if there's a technical issue preventing it from showing up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my channel lineup on the YouTube TV website or only in the app?
You can manage your channels on both the website and the app. Go to Settings on youtube.com/tv, and you'll find the same membership and channel management options. Changes made on the website appear in the app within minutes, and vice versa.
If I hide a channel, will I still be charged for it?
Yes, hiding a channel doesn't affect your bill. You're only hiding it from your guide. If it's part of a paid add-on, you'll still be charged for that add-on. To stop being charged, you need to cancel the add-on itself in the Memberships section, not just hide the channel.
What if I add an add-on by mistake and want to cancel it?
Go to Settings, find Memberships, and look for the add-on you want to cancel. You'll see a "Cancel" or "Remove" button next to it. Click it and confirm. The cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle, so you won't be charged again, but you'll keep access to that add-on until your cycle ends.
Do I lose my recordings if I remove a channel from my lineup?
No. Removing a channel or hiding it doesn't delete any recordings you've made from that channel. Your recordings stay in your library and you can watch them anytime, even if the channel is no longer in your active lineup.
Why does my channel lineup look different on my TV than on my phone?
This usually means one device hasn't synced with your account yet. Sign out of the YouTube TV app on the device that looks different, wait a few seconds, and sign back in. If the problem persists, restart the app or your device and try again. If you've hidden channels on one device, those changes should appear on all devices within a few minutes.