Multiview lets you watch up to four channels at once on your computer

Multiview is a YouTube TV feature that splits your screen into separate windows so you can watch multiple channels simultaneously. On a computer, you can display up to four live channels or recordings side by side. This is useful during sports events when games overlap, or when you want to monitor news coverage while watching entertainment.

Multiview works on Windows and Mac computers through the YouTube TV website. You do not need to read anything — it runs in your web browser. The feature is included with your YouTube TV membership at no extra cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Multiview on computer shows up to four channels at once in a grid layout that you control.
  • You start Multiview by clicking the grid icon in the top right corner of the YouTube TV player.
  • Click any channel tile to swap it out for a different channel, or click the X to remove a tile.
  • Multiview works best on larger monitors because four channels on a small screen can be hard to read.
  • Audio plays from only one channel at a time — click a tile to hear that channel's sound.

How to turn on Multiview in your web browser

Open YouTube TV in your web browser on your computer and start watching a live channel or recording. Look for the grid icon in the top right corner of the video player — it looks like four small squares arranged in a 2×2 pattern. Click that icon to enter Multiview mode.

Your current channel will appear in one of the four tiles. The other three tiles will show your most recently watched channels by default. If you want to change what appears in any tile, click on that tile and a channel list will open. Select a different channel to swap it in.

To remove a tile and go back to a smaller grid, click the X button in the top right corner of that tile. You can run Multiview with just two channels if you prefer, or go back to single-channel view by clicking the grid icon again.

Switching channels and controlling audio in Multiview

When Multiview is active, only one channel plays audio at a time. Click the tile of the channel you want to hear, and the sound will switch to that channel. The other three tiles will be muted. This prevents overlapping audio from making everything sound like noise.

To change which channel appears in a tile, click anywhere on that tile and a menu will pop up showing your channel list. Scroll through and tap the channel you want. The tile will update when ready. You can rearrange your layout as often as you want — there is no limit to how many times you swap channels in and out.

Screen size and monitor recommendations for Multiview

Multiview works on any computer monitor, but the experience depends on screen size. On a 13-inch laptop screen, four channels in a grid can be cramped and hard to read, especially for text like sports scores or news tickers. A 24-inch desktop monitor or larger gives you much more breathing room and makes it easier to follow action on all four channels at once.

If your monitor is small, consider using Multiview with only two or three channels instead of four. You can always add a fourth tile later if you need it. Some people also use Multiview on a tablet or iPad if they have a larger screen available — the feature works on those devices too, though the layout adjusts to fit the screen.

What to do if Multiview is not showing up

Multiview is available to all YouTube TV members, but it only works on live channels and on-demand recordings. If you are trying to watch a show that is not yet available or a channel that is not part of your package, Multiview may not appear. Check that you are watching a live channel or a recording that has finished airing.

If the grid icon is not visible in the player, try refreshing your browser page. Close any browser extensions that might block YouTube TV features and try again. Make sure you are using a current version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge — older browser versions sometimes do not support all YouTube TV features.

Multiview on computer versus other devices

YouTube TV also offers Multiview on phones, tablets, and streaming devices, but the computer version is the most flexible. On a phone, you can usually see only two channels at once because of screen size. On a Roku, Apple TV, or Chromecast, Multiview may show four channels but the controls work differently — you use your remote instead of clicking with a mouse.

The computer browser version gives you the most control: you can click to swap channels when ready, resize tiles by dragging, and arrange them however you want. If you are planning to watch multiple channels for an extended time, a computer is usually the best choice.

Tips for using Multiview during live events

During sports events or breaking news, Multiview shines because you can monitor multiple channels without switching back and forth. Set up your tiles before the event starts so you are not scrambling to find channels when action begins. Put the channel you want to hear in the center or top left so you remember which one is active.

If you are watching sports and one game ends early, click that tile and swap in a different channel. You can also minimize Multiview by clicking the grid icon again if you want to focus on just one channel for a while, then turn it back on later. Your layout will not be saved, so if you close YouTube TV and come back, you will need to set up your tiles again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record multiple channels at once while using Multiview?

Recording and Multiview are separate features. You can set up recordings for channels you want to save, and you can also use Multiview to watch live channels at the same time. The recordings happen in the background — you do not need Multiview active for them to work.

Does Multiview work on all YouTube TV channels?

Multiview works on any channel that is part of your YouTube TV package. If a channel is not included in your membership, you cannot add it to a Multiview tile. Check your channel list to see what is available to you.

What happens to my Multiview layout if I close the browser?

YouTube TV does not save your Multiview layout. When you close your browser or navigate away from YouTube TV, your tile arrangement is lost. The next time you open YouTube TV and turn on Multiview, it will show your most recently watched channels by default, and you will need to set it up again.

Can I use Multiview on a second monitor?

Multiview displays within the YouTube TV player window, so it appears on whichever monitor you have YouTube TV open on. You cannot split Multiview across two monitors. However, you could open YouTube TV on one monitor for Multiview and a different app on your second monitor if you want to watch something else at the same time.

Is there a keyboard shortcut to turn Multiview on and off?

There is no keyboard shortcut for Multiview on computer. You must click the grid icon in the player to turn it on or off. The grid icon is always visible in the top right corner of the YouTube TV player when you are watching a live channel or recording.