YouTube TV's Multiview lets you watch up to four channels at once on one screen
Multiview is a YouTube TV feature that splits your screen into separate tiles, each showing a different live channel. You can watch four channels simultaneously — useful during sports events, award shows, or when multiple programs air at the same time. The feature works on most devices where YouTube TV is available, though some older or smaller-screen devices do not support it.
To use Multiview, you need an active YouTube TV subscription and must be watching live channels (not recordings or on-demand content). The layout adjusts based on your device and screen size. On a TV, you get a full four-tile grid. On a tablet or computer, you may see two or three tiles depending on your screen orientation.
Key Takeaways
- Multiview works on most YouTube TV devices, but not on phones or very small screens.
- You set up Multiview by pressing the button labeled "Multiview" or a grid icon while watching a live channel.
- Each tile shows a different live channel, and you can swap channels in any tile by clicking or tapping it.
- Audio plays from only one tile at a time — select which tile's sound you want to hear by clicking its speaker icon.
- Multiview is included with your YouTube TV subscription at no extra cost.
How to turn on Multiview on your TV
On a connected TV or streaming device (Roku, Apple TV, Google TV, Fire TV), start watching any live channel. Look for a button or icon labeled "Multiview" — on most remotes, this appears as a grid symbol or is listed in the on-screen menu. Press it, and your screen will split into four tiles.
If you do not see a Multiview button, your device may not support the feature. Older Roku devices, some Fire TV models, and certain Samsung Smart TVs do not have Multiview. Check YouTube TV's device support page or try updating your app to the latest version.
How to turn on Multiview on a computer or tablet
Open YouTube TV in a web browser or the YouTube TV app on your tablet. Start watching a live channel. In the top-right corner of the video player, you should see a grid icon or a button labeled "Multiview." Click or tap it to set up the split-screen view.
On tablets held in landscape mode, you typically see three or four tiles. In portrait mode, you may see only two tiles because the screen is narrower. If the Multiview button does not appear, your browser or app version may need updating, or your device screen may be too small to support the feature.
Changing channels within each tile
Once Multiview is active, each tile shows a different channel. To change what appears in any tile, click or tap directly on that tile. A channel guide or list will appear, and you can select a new live channel to display there. The other three tiles remain unchanged.
You can also use your remote (on TV devices) to navigate between tiles using arrow keys, then press select to open the channel picker for that tile. This method is faster than clicking if you are switching channels frequently.
Controlling audio in Multiview
Only one tile plays sound at a time. By default, audio comes from the tile you most recently clicked or tapped. To change which tile's audio you hear, look for a speaker icon on each tile and click or tap the one you want to listen to. The speaker icon will highlight, showing that tile is now the active audio source.
If you do not see speaker icons on the tiles, try hovering your mouse over a tile (on computer) or tapping it (on tablet or TV) to reveal the controls. Some devices show these controls only when you interact with the screen.
Exiting Multiview
To return to single-channel view, press the Multiview button again (the same grid icon you used to turn it on). Your screen will return to showing one full-screen channel. YouTube TV remembers which channel was in the active audio tile and displays that one in full screen.
You can also click or tap any single tile to expand it to full screen, then press Multiview again to return to the four-tile layout. This is useful if you want to focus on one channel for a moment without fully exiting Multiview.
Devices that support Multiview
Multiview works on most modern streaming devices and computers. Supported platforms include Google TV, Roku (newer models), Apple TV (4th generation and later), Amazon Fire TV (2nd generation and later), Samsung Smart TVs (2016 and newer), LG Smart TVs (2017 and newer), and YouTube TV on web browsers.
Multiview does not work on phones, even if you have YouTube TV installed. It also may not work on very old streaming devices, first-generation Fire TV models, or some older Roku sticks. If you are unsure whether your device supports it, try opening YouTube TV, starting a live channel, and looking for the Multiview button. If it is not there, your device does not have the feature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Multiview with recorded shows or on-demand content?
No. Multiview only works with live channels. If you try to set up it while watching a recording or on-demand program, the button will not appear or will be grayed out. You must be watching a live broadcast for Multiview to function.
Do I need to pay extra for Multiview?
No. Multiview is included with your YouTube TV subscription at no additional cost. It is a built-in feature available to all subscribers on supported devices.
Why is the Multiview button not showing up on my device?
Your device may not support Multiview, or you may need to update the YouTube TV app. Try updating to the latest version through your device's app store. If the button still does not appear after updating, your device is likely not compatible with the feature.
Can I watch more than four channels at once?
No. Multiview is limited to four tiles maximum. You cannot display more than four channels simultaneously, even on a large TV screen.
What happens to my Multiview setup if I switch devices?
Multiview settings do not carry over between devices. If you set up a four-tile layout on your TV and then open YouTube TV on your tablet, you will need to set up Multiview again on the tablet and select which channels you want to watch there.