Multiview lets you watch up to four channels at the same time on one screen

Multiview is a YouTube TV feature that splits your screen into four separate video feeds so you can watch different channels simultaneously. You set up it by pressing the multiview button on your remote or selecting it from the menu, then choose which four channels you want to display. The layout shows all four feeds at equal size, and you can swap out any channel by selecting a new one without closing the others.

Multiview works on most devices where YouTube TV is available, including Roku, Google TV, Apple TV, Fire TV, and some Samsung smart TVs. It does not work on phones, tablets, or web browsers — only on TV devices connected to your account. You need an active YouTube TV subscription to use the feature; it comes included with your membership at no extra cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Multiview displays four live channels at once on compatible TV devices like Roku, Google TV, and Apple TV.
  • You turn on multiview using your remote control or the YouTube TV menu, then select which four channels to watch.
  • You can swap any of the four channels to a different one without closing the others or restarting the view.
  • Multiview is not available on phones, tablets, or computers — only on TV-connected devices.
  • Audio plays from whichever channel you select as active; the other three display video only.

How to turn on multiview on your TV device

The exact steps depend on your device type. On Roku, press the multiview button on your YouTube TV remote (it looks like four squares), or open YouTube TV, go to the menu, and select Multiview. On Google TV and Android TV devices, press the multiview button on your remote or navigate to the menu and choose Multiview. On Apple TV, press the multiview button on your Siri Remote or select it from the menu. On Fire TV, use the multiview button on your remote or find it in the menu.

If your remote does not have a dedicated multiview button, open the YouTube TV app, go to the menu (usually the three horizontal lines or hamburger icon), scroll down, and select Multiview. Once you select it, the screen splits into four sections. Each section shows a different channel, and YouTube TV usually defaults to showing four channels you watch frequently. You can change any of these four by clicking on that section and choosing a new channel from the list.

Selecting and swapping channels in multiview

When multiview is active, each of the four sections displays a live channel. To change one of them, click or select the section you want to replace, and a channel list appears. Scroll through the list and select the channel you want to watch in that spot. The change happens when ready — the old channel closes and the new one takes its place in that section.

You can swap channels as many times as you want while multiview is running. There is no limit to how many times you can change the four channels or how long you can keep multiview active. If you want to watch just one channel instead, press the multiview button again to exit the feature, or click on one of the four sections and select "Full Screen" to expand that single channel to fill the entire display.

Audio control in multiview mode

Only one channel plays audio at a time in multiview. When you first turn on the feature, audio comes from one of the four channels by default — usually the one in the top-left position. To hear a different channel, click on that section of the screen, and the audio switches to it. The other three channels continue to display video but produce no sound.

This design prevents the four audio feeds from overlapping and creating confusion. If you want to hear a specific channel while watching the other three, straightforward select that channel's section, and the audio will switch to it. You can change which channel is producing audio as often as you want without affecting the video display of the other three.

Devices that support multiview

Multiview is available on most TV-connected devices running YouTube TV. This includes Roku devices (all current models), Google TV devices, Android TV devices, Apple TV (4th generation and newer), Amazon Fire TV devices, and some Samsung Smart TVs with YouTube TV built in. The feature may also work on other TV platforms, but support varies by manufacturer and software version.

Multiview does not work on phones, tablets, computers, or web browsers. If you try to use YouTube TV on a phone or tablet, the multiview option will not appear in the menu. You must use a TV-connected device to access this feature. If you are unsure whether your device supports multiview, open YouTube TV, go to the menu, and look for the multiview option — if it is there, your device supports it.

What to do if multiview is not available on your device

If you do not see a multiview option in your YouTube TV menu, your device may not support the feature. This can happen if your device is older, running outdated software, or from a manufacturer that has not yet added multiview support. The first step is to check for software updates on your TV device. Go to your device settings, look for System Update or Software Update, and install any available updates. YouTube TV features are sometimes added through device software updates rather than app updates.

If updates do not reveal the multiview option, your device may straightforward not have support yet. In that case, you can still watch YouTube TV normally on that device — you just cannot use the four-channel view. If you want to use multiview, you would need to switch to a compatible device like a Roku, Google TV, Apple TV, or Fire TV device. You can check YouTube TV's official help documentation or contact YouTube TV support to confirm whether your specific device model supports multiview.

Multiview during sports and live events

Multiview is especially useful during sports seasons when multiple games air at the same time, or during live events when you want to monitor several channels for breaking news or coverage. You can watch four different sports games simultaneously, or keep one game in focus while monitoring three other channels. The feature works with any live channel available on YouTube TV, including sports networks, news channels, and entertainment channels.

Keep in mind that some channels or events may have restrictions on how they can be displayed. Most live sports and news channels work without issue in multiview, but if a channel does not appear in the list when you try to add it, that channel may have restrictions on simultaneous viewing. In those cases, you can still watch the channel in full-screen mode — you just cannot include it in a multiview layout with other channels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I save a multiview layout so I do not have to set it up every time?

YouTube TV does not have an official save or favorite multiview layout feature. Each time you turn on multiview, it defaults to showing four channels based on your viewing history. You can change these channels quickly by clicking each section and selecting a new one, but you cannot lock in a specific four-channel combination to load automatically.

Does multiview work with YouTube TV's cloud DVR or on-demand content?

No, multiview only works with live channels. You cannot use it to watch recorded shows, movies, or on-demand content. If you want to watch a recorded show, you must exit multiview and select that show from your library. Multiview is designed specifically for live television viewing.

Can I use multiview on two different TV devices at the same time?

YouTube TV allows simultaneous streaming on multiple devices depending on your plan, but each device runs independently. If you turn on multiview on one TV, it does not affect what appears on another TV in your home. Each device can have its own multiview layout or can be watching something completely different.

What happens to my multiview if I pause or rewind?

Multiview only works with live channels, so pausing and rewinding are not available while multiview is active. If you want to pause or rewind a channel, you must exit multiview and switch to full-screen view of that single channel. Once you exit multiview, you can use the pause and rewind controls normally.

Is there a way to watch more than four channels at once?

No, multiview is limited to four channels maximum. YouTube TV does not offer a six-channel or eight-channel view. If you need to monitor more than four channels, you would need to use multiple TV devices in different rooms, each running its own multiview or full-screen view.