The search box is at the top of your screen on any device

YouTube TV's search feature works the same way across phones, tablets, computers, and streaming devices. On your home screen or anywhere in the app, look for the magnifying glass icon or a search bar at the top. Tap or click it, type the name of a show, movie, actor, channel, or sport, and YouTube TV will show you matching results in seconds.

The search results display what's available to watch right now, what's coming up in your guide, and what you can record for later. You don't have to know the exact title—searching for a partial name, a genre, or even a person's name will return relevant matches.

Key Takeaways

  • The search icon appears at the top of the YouTube TV app on phones, tablets, computers, and streaming devices like Roku or Apple TV.
  • You can search by show name, movie title, actor, channel name, or sport, and results appear when ready as you type.
  • Search results show live programs, upcoming broadcasts, and content you can record to your library.
  • Filters below the search bar let you narrow results by category, channel, or time period.
  • If you don't see a show in search results, it may not be included in your YouTube TV package or available in your region.

Where to find the search box on each device type

On a phone or tablet: Open the YouTube TV app and look at the top of the screen. The magnifying glass icon sits in the upper right corner on most phones. Tap it to open the search field.

On a computer or web browser: Go to tv.youtube.com. The search bar is centered near the top of the home page. Click it and start typing.

On a streaming device (Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chromecast): The search icon appears in the top navigation bar. Select it with your remote and use the on-screen keyboard to type your search.

How to refine your search results

After you search, YouTube TV shows results grouped by category—shows, movies, channels, and people. Below the search bar, you'll see filter options like "Shows," "Movies," "Sports," and "Channels." Tap or click a filter to see only that type of result.

You can also sort results by air date or relevance. If you're looking for a specific episode that airs on a certain day, the time filter helps you find broadcasts within the next week or month. This is especially useful for sports events or weekly shows where timing matters.

What to do if your search returns no results

If a show or movie doesn't appear in search, it's usually because YouTube TV doesn't carry it, it's not available in your region, or it's not currently in your channel package. YouTube TV's library varies by location and changes as licensing agreements shift.

You can check what channels you have access to by going to your account settings and looking at your channel list. If a show airs on a channel you don't subscribe to, you won't see it in search results. Some content is also region-locked, meaning it's only available in certain parts of the country.

Searching for live sports and upcoming events

YouTube TV's search works well for finding sports. Type the sport name (like "football" or "basketball"), the team name, or the league name, and you'll see upcoming games and live broadcasts. Results show the channel, date, and time so you can decide whether to watch live or record it.

You can also browse the Sports section from the home screen without searching. This shows all upcoming sports events across your channels in one place, organized by sport and date.

Using voice search on compatible devices

If your streaming device has a voice remote (like Roku, Google TV, or Fire TV), you can search by speaking instead of typing. Press the microphone button on your remote and say the show name, actor, or sport. The device will search and display results automatically.

Voice search is faster than typing on a remote and works well for show names, channel names, and actors. It may not work as well for very specific phrases or unusual titles, but it's worth trying before you resort to typing.

How to save shows and movies you find in search

Once you find a show or movie in search results, you can add it to your library or set it to record. Tap or click the show title to open its details page. You'll see options to "Add to Library" or "Record" (for upcoming episodes). This saves the show so you can watch it whenever you want without searching again.

Your library appears in the "Library" tab on the home screen, organized by show name. You can also set up series recordings so that every new episode records automatically without you having to search each time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I search across all channels at once or do I have to search one channel at a time?

YouTube TV searches across all your channels at once. You don't select a channel first—just type what you're looking for and results from every channel you subscribe to will appear together. You can then filter by channel name if you want to narrow it down.

Why does my search show a show but it says "not available in your area"?

Some shows and movies are licensed differently depending on where you live. YouTube TV knows your location and filters results accordingly. If a show is blocked in your area, it won't play even if it appears in search results. This is a licensing restriction, not a YouTube TV problem.

Does searching count against my data usage on mobile?

Searching uses very little data because you're only sending text and receiving text results back. Watching the video itself uses much more data. If you're on a limited mobile plan, searching is fine—it's the actual playback that drains your data.

Can I search for a specific episode number or air date?

You can search by show name and then browse episodes in the show's details page, where they're listed by date. YouTube TV doesn't have a way to search by episode number directly, but once you find the show, you can scroll through its episode list and select the one you want.

What if I search for something and get results for the wrong show?

YouTube TV matches your search to show titles, descriptions, and cast members. If you get results for the wrong show, try being more specific—add the year, the network name, or the main actor's name to narrow it down. You can also browse your channel guide manually if search isn't finding what you need.