The YouTube TV guide is in the Home tab, and you search or browse by channel and time
YouTube TV shows you what is on right now and what is coming up through the Guide section, which you reach from the Home tab on any device. The guide displays channels in a grid with program names, start times, and how long each show runs. You can scroll through channels vertically and time slots horizontally to see what airs when, or you can search for a specific show or channel by name.
The guide works the same way on phones, tablets, computers, and TV devices — the layout shifts to fit the screen, but the information and search function stay consistent. You do not need to open a separate app or website; everything is built into YouTube TV itself.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Home tab in YouTube TV, then select Guide to see channels and programs in a grid organized by time.
- Scroll left and right to move through time slots, and scroll up and down to browse different channels.
- Use the search box at the top of the guide to find a specific show, channel, or actor by typing the name.
- Click or tap any program in the guide to read a description, see the full runtime, and record the show if you want.
- The guide updates in real time and shows programs for the current day and several days ahead.
Opening the guide on your TV device
On a TV connected to YouTube TV, press the Home button on your remote to open the main menu. Look for the Guide option — it usually appears as a grid icon or is labeled directly as "Guide." Select it with your remote, and the full channel and program grid will fill your screen.
Once the guide is open, use the arrow buttons on your remote to move between channels (up and down) and time slots (left and right). The currently airing programs are highlighted, and you can see what comes next on each channel by moving forward in time. Pressing Select or Enter on any program shows you more details: the description, runtime, channel number, and an option to record it.
Using the guide on a phone or tablet
Open the YouTube TV app and tap the Home tab at the bottom of the screen. Scroll down until you see the Guide section, or look for a "Guide" button or link near the top of the Home tab. Tap it to open the full guide view.
On a phone or tablet, the guide appears as a scrollable grid. Swipe left and right with your finger to move through time, and swipe up and down to scroll through channels. Tap any program to open its details page, where you can read the full description, see how long it runs, and record it if you choose. The guide shows the current time and the next several hours or days depending on how far you scroll.
Searching for a show or channel in the guide
At the top of the guide screen, you will see a search box. Tap or click it and type the name of the show, channel, or actor you are looking for. YouTube TV will filter the guide to show only matching results — for example, typing "news" will show all news programs and news channels, and typing a channel name like "ESPN" will show only that channel's schedule.
Search results update as you type, so you can see matches appear when ready. Once you find what you want, tap or click the program to see its full details, including the exact time it airs and whether it is available to record.
Recording a program from the guide
When you find a program in the guide that you want to watch later, tap or click on it to open the details page. Look for a Record button or icon — it usually looks like a circle or a red dot. Tap or click it, and YouTube TV will record that program to your library.
If the program is part of a series, YouTube TV may ask whether you want to record only this episode or all future episodes of that show. Choose whichever fits your preference. Recorded programs are saved in your Library, which you can reach from the Home tab, and you can watch them whenever you want without worrying about the broadcast schedule.
Understanding what the guide shows you
The guide displays all channels included in your YouTube TV plan, organized in a grid. The left side lists channel names and numbers, and the top shows time slots — usually starting with the current time and extending several hours or days into the future. Each cell in the grid shows the program name, and you can see at a glance what is on each channel and when.
The guide updates in real time, so if you leave it open, the current time marker moves forward and new programs appear as they start. If a program is currently airing, it is usually highlighted or marked with a different color so you can spot it quickly. Programs that have already aired are grayed out or removed from view, so the guide always shows what is available to watch now and what is coming next.
Customizing what channels appear in your guide
YouTube TV shows all channels in your plan by default, but you can hide channels you do not watch to make the guide easier to scan. On most devices, you can long-press or right-click a channel name in the guide and select an option to hide it. Hidden channels do not appear in the guide, but you can unhide them the same way if you change your mind.
On a TV remote, highlight a channel and look for a menu button (often labeled with three dots or lines) to find the hide option. On a phone or tablet, tap and hold a channel name until a menu appears. The exact steps vary slightly by device, but the principle is the same: you control which channels clutter your guide view.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far ahead does the YouTube TV guide show programs?
The guide typically shows programs for the current day and up to 14 days in the future, depending on your device. You can scroll forward to see what airs next week, but the further ahead you go, the less detailed the information may be. Most TV networks provide their schedules to YouTube TV about two weeks in advance.
Can I see the guide for a specific channel only?
Yes. Use the search box at the top of the guide and type the channel name or number. The guide will filter to show only that channel's schedule. You can also scroll through the full guide and focus on one channel by looking at just that row in the grid.
What does it mean if a program is grayed out in the guide?
A grayed-out program has already aired or is no longer available to record. Current and upcoming programs appear in full color. If you missed a show, check your Library to see if you recorded it earlier, or look for it on-demand through the channel's app or YouTube TV's search function.
Why do some programs not have a record option?
Some programs cannot be recorded due to licensing restrictions set by the network or content provider. Live sports, breaking news, and certain premium events sometimes fall into this category. You can still watch them when they air, but you cannot save them to your library.
Does the guide work the same way on all devices?
The guide functions the same way across phones, tablets, computers, and TV devices, but the layout and controls change to fit each screen size. On a TV, you use a remote; on a phone or tablet, you swipe and tap. The information shown and how you search and record are consistent everywhere.