YouTube TV packages, pricing and free trial information

Though it only entered the live TV streaming market in 2017, YouTube TV is quickly becoming a strong contender due to its expansive channel offering and standout features. As discussed in our YouTube TV review, the service offers a diverse range of channels for every type of viewer — from news and entertainment to live sports. This makes it one of the best live TV streaming options out there.

But before you decide to sign up for the service, you’ll want a detailed look at what it offers in terms of pricing and packages as well as free trials so you can judge its worth for yourself. This post gives you a complete breakdown of how much YouTube TV costs and what you can get with it.

How much does YouTube TV cost?

YouTube TV offers a single plan that comes with 85+ channels for $64.99/mo.

YouTube TV packages and pricing

YouTube TV’s pricing is pretty straightforward, with a single plan that lets you watch 85+ channels for $64.99/mo. Although this single package approach simplifies the service’s pricing, some might find the lack of choice a bit limiting.  

With YouTube TV’s only plan, you get access to a wide variety of channels, including leading networks like ABC, AMC, CBS, CNN, Disney, ESPN, FOX, MSNBC and TNT. That means you get to watch the latest news and live broadcasts of sports events as well as your favorite TV series through a single streaming service.

Besides its robust channel lineup, YouTube TV also comes with several features competitive enough to put it among the leaders of the live TV streaming industry. For instance, it supports up to three simultaneous streams, just like most of the leading services. And it stands out by offering unlimited cloud DVR storage, while most services will restrict your recordings to a few hours.

With all this considered, $84.99/mo. doesn’t really seem all that much because you’re getting far more value out of it than from a cable subscription. And since it has such a diverse lineup of channels and access to live sports broadcasts from leading networks, it might even be the only streaming service you need to cut the cord.

YouTube TV add-ons

YouTube TV stands out with its extensive offering of add-ons so you can customize your package with the networks that you need. This gives you some flexibility to balance out the limitations of a single package approach. Besides the default list of YouTube TV channels, you can also get the following networks as add-ons:

Acorn TV

For those who can’t get enough British TV, YouTube TV lets you add Acorn TV to your package for an additional $6/mo. This gives you access to some of the most iconic and captivating shows such as Doc Martin, Midsomer Murders, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Murdoch Mysteries and War & Peace. Plus, you get to watch some fascinating documentaries like Digging for Britain and Soundbreaking: Stories from the Cutting Edge of Recorded Music.

AMC Premiere

The AMC Premiere add-on offers tons of programming for just $5/mo. It’s the place to go for shows like Doctor Who, History of Horror and The Making of the Mob. The add-on also gives you access to hit TV shows like Killing Eve, Riviera and The Walking Dead, among many others.

Cinemax

YouTube TV recently strengthened its add-on offering with Cinemax, which costs $9.99/mo. Cinemax has an impressive lineup of popular shows and originals such as Banshee, Jett, Outcast, The Knick, Trackers and Warrior. And you get to watch all of them without any annoying ad disruptions.

CuriosityStream

For households with kids or for subscribers who love informative documentaries, YouTube TV also lets you customize your package with the CuriosityStream add-on. For an additional $3/mo., you get access to thousands of documentaries that explore topics like art, biography, history, nature, science and technology.

EPIX

To stream the latest box office hits and comedy specials, YouTube TV gives you access to EPIX for an additional $6/mo. Besides thrilling TV shows like Belgravia, Godfather of Harlem and Pennyworth, this add-on lets you watch informative sports-focused programming such as NFL: The Grind, NHL: Road to Winter Classic and The Contender.

FOX Soccer Plus

If the existing sports channels in YouTube TV’s default package don’t meet your needs, you can also get the FOX Soccer Plus add-on for $15/mo. This add-on lets you stream Bundesliga, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League action. 

HBO

Another recent addition to YouTube TV’s premium channel add-ons, HBO gives you access to some of the most iconic shows such as Band of Brothers, Game of Thrones, Sex and the City, The Sopranos, The Wire and Westworld. For an additional $14.99/mo., you can get access to the HBO channel as well as its on-demand content.

HBO Max

Alternatively, you can also go for HBO Max for the same price ($14.99/mo.). This has the same content offering as the HBO add-on, plus some exclusive content that you can only access through the HBO Max app.

NBA League Pass

For basketball fans, YouTube TV also lets you add NBA League Pass to your subscription for an additional $40/mo. With this add-on, you get to watch most of the out-of-market games that won’t be available through the sports channels on YouTube TV due to regional blackouts and restrictions.

Showtime

You can also add Showtime to your YouTube TV subscription for an additional $11/mo. With this add-on, you can watch hit shows like Billions, Californication, Dexter, Homeland, House of Lies, Penny Dreadful and Shameless.

Shudder

A must-have add-on for horror fans, Shudder costs $5/mo. This dedicated channel for horror and thriller content gives you access to contemporary hits, iconic titles and informative shows. Some of the featured shows on Shudder include Creepshow, Cursed Films, Neil Gaiman’s Likely Stories, Rillington Place and True Horror.

STARZ

Additionally, you can also get STARZ for $9/mo. and access classic shows like Death Valley Days, Knight Rider, Inspector Gadget, Madeline, The Bernie Mac Show and The Big Valley. STARZ also has a bunch of popular contemporary shows like Hightown, Outlander, The Pier and Vida.

Sundance Now

For a virtually endless supply of crime dramas and thrillers, get the Sundance Now add-on for $7/mo. With this expansion, you can watch classic shows, documentaries and recent hits including Deutschland 83, Jonestown: Terror in the Jungle, Law & Order: UK, The Crimson Petal and the White and Wisting.

UMC

YouTube TV also lets you add UMC to your subscription for an extra $5/mo. This gives you access to urban-themed documentaries, movies and TV shows, boasting titles such as All of Us, Beyond the Pole, Civil War: The Untold Story, Grown Folks and The Rich and the Ruthless.

YouTube TV pricing compared

YouTube TV’s $64.99/mo. price tag puts the service right in the middle of other live TV streaming options. While Philo is one of the cheapest options at $20/mo., it doesn’t come with live sports streaming, which could be a major drawback for some viewers. Otherwise, the two share somewhat similar features, such as unlimited cloud DVR and three simultaneous streams.

Sling TV is a cheaper option as well, with plans starting at $30/mo. But keep in mind that it offers a slightly leaner channel lineup, not to mention limited cloud DVR storage.

YouTube TV costs $10 more than Hulu + Live TV, which gives you 65+ channels for $54.99/mo. Although Hulu Live TV has fewer channels than YouTube TV, it also gives you access to the entire Hulu streaming library.

Like Hulu + Live TV, fuboTV costs slightly less than YouTube TV. But it also has a bigger channel lineup, with the most basic plan offering 100+ channels. In addition, the service focuses more on sports programming, so it might be a great option for some. However, it offers limited cloud DVR and doesn’t have all premium channel add-ons that you get with YouTube TV.

Sign up for a YouTube TV free trial

Like most live TV streaming services, YouTube TV gives you a seven-day free trial so you can get a feel for what it offers before you decide to invest in it. During this one-week trial, you get to try out all the service’s features and see what the streaming experience is like.

Plus, you can also try out some of the premium channel add-ons as well so you can fully experience what your customized YouTube TV package would be like. Keep in mind, though, that some add-ons may have a shorter trial period.

Fortunately, YouTube TV stands apart from the competition by offering extended free trials every now and then. If you’re lucky enough to sign up during one of its offer periods, you might be able to get a two-week free trial of the service. This gives you ample time to feel out the streaming experience and explore its channel lineup.

The takeaway

With competitive features like unlimited cloud DVR storage and a diverse and expansive channel lineup, YouTube TV could easily be one of the best live TV streaming options out there. Price-wise, it may not be the most affordable service, but it still beats cable and some of its leading competitors. Visit our YouTube TV deals guide to learn how to save money on this live TV streaming service.

So make sure to sign up for a YouTube TV free trial to get a feel for the service and the streaming experience it offers. But don’t forget to try out other options like Hulu + Live TV, fuboTV, Philo and Sling TV to see which one makes the most sense to you.