YouTube TV is a comprehensive live TV streaming service designed to serve as a complete replacement for cable subscriptions. With over 90 channels covering news, sports, and entertainment, YouTube TV aims to offer a wide range of content in a single package. One of its standout features is its integration of excellent DVR functionality, 4K streaming capability, and the ability to download DVR recordings for offline viewing. Additionally, YouTube TV supports an unlimited number of simultaneous streams on your home network, providing flexibility for multiple users.
The service stands out for its combination of channels and streaming specifications, making it a top choice for cord-cutters seeking a cable alternative. YouTube TV’s new a la carte channel options offer cheaper alternatives to the high monthly base cost, further enhancing its appeal to users looking for customizable viewing options.
YouTube TV’s achievements include winning a PCMag Readers’ Choice Award for live TV streaming services, underscoring its popularity and satisfaction among users. Overall, YouTube TV is a comprehensive and highly regarded live TV streaming service that provides an extensive channel lineup and robust features for cord-cutters seeking a cable-like experience.
YouTube TV provides access to a comprehensive collection of over 90 channels, making it one of the most complete channel lineups among video streaming services.
Here’s a breakdown of the channels available on YouTube TV:
- Local Networks: YouTube TV offers major local networks including ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC. Notably, it also provides access to local PBS channels, distinguishing it from other live streaming services.
- News Channels: Users can enjoy a variety of news channels on YouTube TV, such as BBC America, CNBC, CNN, FOX News, and MSNBC. This lineup offers extensive coverage of national and international news.
- Sports Channels: YouTube TV features a robust selection of sports channels, catering to sports enthusiasts. Channels include ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, ESPN News, Fox Sports, NBC Sports Network, MLB Network, NBA TV, and more.
- Entertainment Channels: The service offers a range of entertainment channels, including AMC, FX, TNT, TBS, USA, Bravo, Comedy Central, and HGTV, providing a diverse array of content for viewers.
- Lifestyle and Documentary Channels: YouTube TV subscribers can access channels focused on lifestyle and documentary content, such as Discovery Channel, TLC, National Geographic, Animal Planet, and Travel Channel.
- Family and Kids Channels: Family-friendly programming is available through channels like Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, and PBS Kids, catering to younger viewers.
- Premium Channels: Users can also subscribe to premium channels like HBO Max, Showtime, and Starz for an additional fee, expanding their viewing options with premium content.
Overall, YouTube TV offers a comprehensive lineup of channels covering various genres, ensuring that subscribers have access to a wide range of content tailored to their preferences.
YouTube TV offers a selection of sports channels that includes CBS Sports, ESPN, ESPN 2, NFL Network, NBC Sports, and NBA TV, in addition to the broadcast affiliates. However, the coverage of Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) on YouTube TV is inconsistent. While it includes all NBC Sports RSNs, it lacks most AT&T-owned RSNs and all Bally Sports RSNs (formerly FOX Sports RSNs), except for SportsNet NY. This limited RSN coverage may affect your ability to watch regular-season MLB, NBA, and NHL games, so it’s important to verify which channels broadcast your local team’s games before subscribing to any sports streaming service.
In addition to its regular sports offerings, YouTube TV will also provide access to out-of-market Sunday afternoon NFL games starting in September 2023 through NFL Sunday Ticket. This expanded NFL coverage is a significant addition for football fans. For more comprehensive NFL coverage, you can refer to our roundup of the best NFL streaming services. Additionally, we have curated roundups for the best MLB streaming services, the best NBA streaming services, and the best NHL streaming services for fans of these respective sports.
YouTube TV offers an extensive range of entertainment and lifestyle content, making it a comprehensive option for cord-cutters looking to replace their cable subscription. Alongside broadcast affiliates, YouTube TV provides access to popular channels such as AMC, Cartoon Network, The CW, FX, National Geographic, TNT, and USA. Additionally, it includes channels from the Discovery network, such as Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, Food Network, HGTV, TLC, and Travel Channel. A recent content deal with ViacomCBS has further enriched its lineup with channels like BET, CMT, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, VH1, and more.
While YouTube TV’s content mix resembles that of Hulu + Live TV, its on-demand library may not be as extensive as Hulu’s. Nevertheless, YouTube TV’s expansive channel selection and on-demand offerings provide a robust entertainment experience for subscribers. However, if you’re primarily interested in lifestyle and entertainment channels, Philo could be a more cost-effective alternative.
In terms of pricing, YouTube TV is among the more expensive video streaming services, priced at $72.99 per month. However, it offers a comprehensive channel lineup and additional subscription options for premium channels and add-ons. Furthermore, YouTube TV recently introduced an a la carte channel subscription feature, allowing subscribers to customize their channel lineup based on their preferences.
YouTube TV is available across various platforms, including the web, mobile devices, media streaming devices, and select smart TVs. It supports up to six user accounts and allows for three simultaneous streams, with the option to upgrade to an unlimited number of streams on the home Wi-Fi network through the 4K Plus add-on.
With its user-friendly interface, robust search functionality, and extensive channel lineup, YouTube TV provides a compelling alternative to traditional cable subscriptions, offering a seamless live TV streaming experience for subscribers.
YouTube TV’s Multiview feature offers sports fans the ability to watch up to four streams simultaneously on the same screen, enhancing the viewing experience for live events. While you’re limited to designated streams, this feature allows you to keep track of multiple matchups during events like March Madness, providing flexibility and convenience. With Multiview, users can quickly switch between streams for a closer look at the action, all within a seamless interface reminiscent of picture-in-picture functionality.
In terms of streaming quality, YouTube TV stands out by offering live channels in 1080p/60fps, ensuring a smooth and immersive viewing experience. Additionally, subscribers now have access to Dolby 5.1 surround sound on select devices, further enhancing audio quality. With the 4K Plus add-on, YouTube TV joins the ranks of services offering 4K live streams, particularly for major sports events and content from NBC and ESPN. This add-on also introduces 4K on-demand content from various sources, enriching the platform’s content library.
YouTube TV’s DVR features are robust, with no storage limit and recordings saved for nine months. Moreover, the 4K Plus add-on enables users to download recordings for offline viewing, a feature not available on other live TV services. Subscribers can easily manage recordings, including setting up DVR recordings for specific sports teams.
Accessibility features on YouTube TV include closed captioning options for all channels, though there’s room for improvement in syncing subtitles with the video stream. The service also lacks Audio Descriptions, a feature offered by other streaming platforms for enhanced accessibility.
YouTube TV’s mobile app mirrors the desktop interface, offering a consistent user experience across devices. The app supports a picture-in-picture mode, allowing users to multitask while watching content. However, users may encounter limitations when using YouTube TV with a VPN, as the service is only available in the US and may block VPN connections.
Overall, YouTube TV offers a comprehensive live TV streaming experience with an extensive channel lineup, robust DVR functionality, and user-friendly interfaces. Despite some limitations such as regional sports network coverage and pricing, YouTube TV remains a top choice for cord-cutters seeking to replace traditional cable subscriptions, earning it an Editors’ Choice distinction alongside Hulu for live TV streaming.
