YouTube TV channels: Plans, Pricing and Add-Ons

By Jim Kimble / Updated November 18, 2023

Here is a list of YouTube TV channels, and everything you need to know about prices, add-ons and features.

YouTube TV is currently the biggest internet-based pay TV service in the U.S. with more than 5 million accounts, according to Google. 

The reason? Cable TV and satellite services are more expensive than in years past.  Millions of people across the U.S. now use cord-cutting alternatives. Live tv streaming services such as YouTube TV and TV antennas are rapidly growing in popularity.

What is YouTube TV?

YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service that could be considered an online version of a cable TV package. These types of streaming services are also referred to as over-the-top (OTT) streaming services or a multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD). 

As of December 2022, YouTube TV has 128 live TV channels in the Base plan along with an on-demand hub for YouTube Originals. 

youtube-tv-channels
The Home tab on YouTube TV. (photo credit: Jim Kimble / The Cord Cutting Report)

You’ll get local NBC, FOX, CBS and ABC anywhere in the U.S. YouTube TV debuted in April 2017 in five U.S. cities with a focus on delivering local broadcast channels alongside cable TV networks such as ESPN.

The service has regional sports networks such as NBC Sports and SportsNet New York. 

The Base plan isn’t your only option for a subscription. YouTube TV also has Spanish-language programming. The standalone Spanish Plan costs $34.99 per month, and has more than 28 live TV channels in Spanish. 

One big perk customers like about live TV streaming services is that they often cost less than cable, and are easy to cancel online without having to call a customer service rep.

How much does YouTube TV cost?

A subscription to the YouTube TV Base plan is $72.99 per month, and includes more than 100 live TV channels. 

Subscribers can watch live TV on three screens at once. Each account gets unlimited Cloud DVR storage.

YouTube TV’s main competitors cost a little bit more, but offers different channels and features.

Hulu Live TV costs $76.99 per month, and includes ad-supported versions of Disney+ and ESPN+.

Fubo (formerly fuboTV) starts at $74.99 per month. DIRECTV STREAM starts at $79.99 per month. Sling TV has two smaller channel bundles that start at $40 per month. 

YouTube TV offers a number of add-on channels and features. A “4K Plus” bundle costs $19.99 per month. With the 4K bundle, subscribers gain 8 channels in 4K. You can watch live TV on an unlimited number of screens and watch DVR recordings offline with the “4K Plus” plan.

Google made a major change in 2022 by allowing customers to subscribe to individual networks without a live TV plan. The networks that do not require a Base plan subscription include: 

  • Hallmark Movies Now
  • Showtime
  • Starz
  • NBA League Pass
  • Epix
  • Shudder
  • Sundance Now
  • ALLBLK
  • Acorn TV
  • MLB.tv
  • HBO Max
  • Cinemax
  • IFC Films Unlimited
  • Curiosity Stream
  • Dove
  • CONtv
  • Docurama
  • Law & Crime
  • VSiN
  • Outside TV Features
  • Spanish Plan

YouTube TV Channel List

YouTube TV has 128 live TV channels in the Base plan. But your exact number of channels will vary based on where you live. For example, one area may have more coverage of local channels or regional sports channels than another. 

  1. A&E
  2. ABC
  3. ABC News
  4. ACC Network
  5. Adult Swim
  6. AMC
  7. Animal Planet
  8. BBC America
  9. BBC World News
  10. beIN Sports
  11. BET
  12. BET her
  13. Bravo
  14. Big Ten Network
  15. CBS
  16. CBS Sports Network
  17. CNBC
  18. CNBC World
  19. CNN
  20. Cartoon Network
  21. Cheddar
  22. Cheddar News
  23. CMT
  24. Comedy Central
  25. Comedy TV
  26. Comet
  27. Court TV
  28. Cozi TV
  29. Dabl
  30. Discovery Channel
  31. Disney Channel
  32. Disney Junior 
  33. Disney XD
  34. Docurama
  35. Dove Channel
  36. E!
  37. ESPN
  38. ESPN2
  39. ESPNU
  40. ESPNews
  41. FOX
  42. FOX Business
  43. FOX News
  44. FOX Soul
  45. FOX Weather
  46. FS1
  47. FS2
  48. FX
  49. FXM
  50. FXX
  51. Food Network
  52. Freeform
  53. Galavision
  54. Get TV
  55. Golf Channel
  56. Game Show Network
  57. Hallmark Channel
  58. Hallmark Drama
  59. Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
  60. HGTV
  61. HLN
  62. HSN
  63. IFC
  64. Investigation Discovery
  65. Justice Central TV
  66. LAFC
  67. Law & Crime
  68. Live Now FOX
  69. Local Now
  70. ABC Localish
  71. MLB Game of the Week
  72. MLB Network
  73. MSNBC
  74. Motortrend
  75. MTV
  76. MTV2
  77. MTV Classic
  78. MyNetworkTV
  79. NBA TV
  80. NBC
  81. NBC News Now
  82. NBC Universo
  83. NBCSN
  84. NBCLx
  85. Nat Geo Wild
  86. National Geographic
  87. News Nation
  88. NFL Network
  89. Nickelodeon
  90. Nick Jr. 
  91. Nicktoons
  92. Orlando City
  93. OWN
  94. Oxygen
  95. Oxygen True Crime
  96. Paramount Network
  97. PBS
  98. PBS Kids
  99. PC Mag com 
  100. Pop
  101. QVC
  102. Recipe.tv 
  103. SEC Network
  104. SportsNet NY
  105. Smithsonian Channel 
  106. Start TV
  107. Sundance TV
  108. SyFy
  109. TBS
  110. TCM
  111. TLC
  112. TNT
  113. TYT
  114. Tastemade
  115. Teennick 
  116. Telehit
  117. Telemundo
  118. The CW
  119. Travel Channel
  120. TruTV
  121. TV Land
  122. USA Network
  123. Unimas
  124. Universal Kids 
  125. Univision
  126. VH1
  127. WE TV
  128. The Weather Channel
  129. YouTube Originals
  130. The Great Courses

Note: Some channels are subject to availability in your area. 

Sports Channels with YouTube TV

YouTube TV’s Base plan already has a wide variety of sports channels. ESPN, ESPN2, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPNU, ESPNews, FS1, FS2, MLB Network, NBA TV are all part of the Base plan channel lineup. 

For $10.99 more per month, subscribers can add the “Sports Plus” bundle. Sports Plus channels include: 

  • beIN SPORTS / beIN SPORTS XTRA
  • Billiard TV
  • FOX Soccer Plus
  • MAVTV Motorsports Network
  • NFL RedZone
  • Outside TV+
  • PlayersTV
  • PokerGO+
  • SportsGrid
  • Stadium
  • FanDuel TV
  • VSiN
  • Fight Network
  • Impact Wrestling

Note: GolTV was dropped from the Sports Plus bundle in August 2022.

Are Local Channels Offered on YouTube TV?

YouTube TV carries local broadcast networks such as local ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX stations. These are the same local affiliates carried by cable TV companies and available for free as over-the-air channels. 

youtube-tv-local-channels
YouTube TV subscribers get local broadcast channels, including NBC and PBS. (Photo credit: Jim Kimble / The Cord Cutting Report)

Entertainment Plus bundle

Most of YouTube TV’s channels are entertainment networks. But subscribers can also bundle HBO Max, STARZ, and SHOWTIME for a discounted rate of $29.99 per month. HBO Max costs $14.99 if you have a standalone subscription either within or outside of YouTube TV. 

STARZ costs $8.99 per month on its own. SHOWTIME costs $10.99 per month as a standalone subscription. 

What channels are 4K on YouTube TV?

There are 8 channels that offer 4K resolution for “select live and on-demand” programming, according to Google. The 4K channels are: 

  • Discovery
  • ESPN
  • FOX Sports
  • FX
  • Nat Geo
  • NBC Sports
  • Tastemade
  • MLB Network

Once you subscribe to the 4K Plus bundle, you can check whether a 4K version of a program is offered by hitting the down arrow under the title. The video information panel displays whether a 4K option is available to watch. 

Under the Live tab, you can find channels that will have 4K programs over the next 10 days. 4K streaming is only available on compatible 4K streaming devices and Smart TVs.

Family accounts, simultaneous streams

When you sign up for a YouTube TV subscription, you can start streaming live on three screens simultaneously. You have the option to create a family group, so that up to five other members of your household can have their own personal library, viewing preferences and Cloud DVR recordings. 

These preferences and watch history are not shared with other family members in your group. 

YouTube app and device support

YouTube TV is viewed primarily through the YouTube TV app. The app is supported on most streaming devices, including Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xfinity Flex, and TiVo Stream 4K. 

You can watch YouTube TV on Smart TVs running on Android TV or Google TV. Currently, Smart televisions from Sony, Hisense, TCL and Phillips all run on Google TV. There are mobile apps for iOS and Android.

Gamers can watch YouTube TV on recent Xbox game consoles going back to Xbox One. PlayStation 4 and 5 are supported. 

How to watch YouTube TV on Smart TVs

A number of Smart TVs support the YouTube TV app. You can also cast YouTube TV to any Smart TV that supports Chromecast.

Any Smart TVs running Android TV or Google TV will work. Vizio SmartCast TVs, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs (2016 models and newer), HiSense TVs are supported. 

For “4K Plus” subscribers, you can use any of the above Smart TVs and streaming devices that support 4K resolution. Whether you use a streaming device or not, your TV needs to support 4K in order to use “4K Plus” for a higher resolution picture. 

YouTube TV DVR

The DVR within YouTube TV is Cloud based, so you don’t need any hardware in your home to record TV shows or movies.

Instead, Google is storing that content for you. When you are watching live TV, click the down arrow on your remote and select the plus tab to record a show.   

The search icon is the easiest way to find a specific show to record.

It’s in the upper right hand corner of the screen. Once you type in the title of a TV show or movie, select “Add to Library” to record.

youtube-tv-dvr
YouTube TV has DVR recordings stored in the cloud, and requires no extra hardware. (Photo credit: Jim Kimble / The Cord Cutting Report)

All of your saved programs are under the Library tab, which organizes recent recordings, shows, movies and sports. 

YouTube TV comparisons

Channel lineups and pricing are two key differences when comparing YouTube TV to competitors. 

Fubo’s entry-level Pro plan costs $74.99 per month. The Pro plan has more than 170 live TV channels and 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR. It is missing the Turner networks, including TNT, TBS and CNN. But Fubo carries regional Bally Sports networks, which are key in-market networks for diehard MLB and NBA fans.

DIRECTV STREAM likewise starts at $79.99 per month. The Entertainment plan has more than 75 TV channels, and unlimited Cloud DVR. The Entertainment package has both local channels and cable TV networks covering sports, news and entertainment. Regional sports networks such as Bally Sports are on the Choice plan, which costs $108.99 per month.

Hulu Live TV has more than 75 TV channels, unlimited DVR and ad-supported versions of Disney+ and ESPN+. Hulu Live also carries local channels such as NBC, CBS and FOX stations similar to YouTube TV. Regional NBC Sports channels are on Hulu Live. A subscription is $76.99 per month. 

YouTube free trial

When you sign up for a YouTube TV subscription, you automatically get a 7-day free trial. You will need a Google account, which is free. If you are already using Gmail, then you have a Google account to start watching TV. 

You only get one free trial per account.

How to Cancel YouTube TV

You can go to the YouTube TV website, log into your account. Select the settings tab, then membership. Click on the Manage button to cancel. 

YouTube TV Channels FAQ

Here are questions readers search for when they are researching YouTube TV.

Are all YouTube TV channels in HD?

Most YouTube TV channels are in High Definition with some exceptions. By default, a YouTube TV subscription is set to “Auto” picture resolution, so it will display in either 720p or 1080p resolution. But there are lower, Standard Definition resolution settings for 480p, 360p, and 240p.

Are ESPN channels on YouTube TV?

Yes. The entire family of ESPN networks are on YouTube TV. ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, ACC Network, SEC Network and ESPN3 through the ESPN app.

Are recorded movies commercial free with YouTube TV?

No. When you use Cloud DVR to record a movie, you are still shown whatever commercials that were part of the broadcast. 

Can you add movie channels to YouTube TV?

Yes. YouTube TV offers premium networks for movies such as HBO Max, Showtime, Acorn TV, STARZ, Hallmark Movies Now, Cinemax, EPIX, VIX+, ScreenPix, AMC+, Shudder, Sundance Now, IFC Films Unlimited, Docurama, Fandor, MovieSphere, Magnolia Selects, and Screambox. 

What internet speed do I need for YouTube TV?

YouTube TV requires an internet connection of at least 3Mbps for the best viewing experience. 

For more news on streaming, how-to guides and reviews, head over to the main page of The Cord Cutting Report or follow the CCR on Google News.

Note: This article was originally published on December 23, 2022, and has been updated to reflect the latest pricing and plans as of November 2023.

Jim is a seasoned industry expert with over two decades of journalism experience. He has been at the forefront of the cord-cutting movement since 2016, testing and writing about TV-related products and services. He founded The Cord Cutting Report in 2016, and serves as the editor.

Major publications, including MarketWatch, Forbes, and South Florida Sun Sentinel, have interviewed Kimble for his years of expertise. He gives advice on the complexities consumers are navigating with streaming options, and over-the-air TV. Kimble has been a staff writer or correspondent for several award-winning, daily newspapers, including The Boston Globe.