By Jim Kimble / Updated January 9, 2023
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.
Here is a list of YouTube TV channels, and everything you need to know about prices, add-ons and features.
- What is YouTube TV?
- YouTube TV Channel List
- YouTube app and device support
- YouTube TV comparisons
- YouTube free trial
- YouTube TV Channels FAQ
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.
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 $64.99 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 $69.99 per month, and includes ad-supported versions of Disney+ and ESPN+.
fuboTV and DIRECTV STREAM each start at $74.99 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.
- A&E
- ABC
- ABC News
- ACC Network
- Adult Swim
- AMC
- Animal Planet
- BBC America
- BBC World News
- beIN Sports
- BET
- BET her
- Bravo
- Big Ten Network
- CBS
- CBS Sports Network
- CNBC
- CNBC World
- CNN
- Cartoon Network
- Cheddar
- Cheddar News
- CMT
- Comedy Central
- Comedy TV
- Comet
- Court TV
- Cozi TV
- Dabl
- Discovery Channel
- Disney Channel
- Disney Junior
- Disney XD
- Docurama
- Dove Channel
- E!
- ESPN
- ESPN2
- ESPNU
- ESPNews
- FOX
- FOX Business
- FOX News
- FOX Soul
- FOX Weather
- FS1
- FS2
- FX
- FXM
- FXX
- Food Network
- Freeform
- Galavision
- Get TV
- Golf Channel
- Game Show Network
- Hallmark Channel
- Hallmark Drama
- Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
- HGTV
- HLN
- HSN
- IFC
- Investigation Discovery
- Justice Central TV
- LAFC
- Law & Crime
- Live Now FOX
- Local Now
- ABC Localish
- MLB Game of the Week
- MLB Network
- MSNBC
- Motortrend
- MTV
- MTV2
- MTV Classic
- MyNetworkTV
- NBA TV
- NBC
- NBC News Now
- NBC Universo
- NBCSN
- NBCLx
- Nat Geo Wild
- National Geographic
- News Nation
- NFL Network
- Nickelodeon
- Nick Jr.
- Nicktoons
- Orlando City
- OWN
- Oxygen
- Oxygen True Crime
- Paramount Network
- PBS
- PBS Kids
- PC Mag com
- Pop
- QVC
- Recipe.tv
- SEC Network
- SportsNet NY
- Smithsonian Channel
- Start TV
- Sundance TV
- SyFy
- TBS
- TCM
- TLC
- TNT
- TYT
- Tastemade
- Teennick
- Telehit
- Telemundo
- The CW
- Travel Channel
- TruTV
- TV Land
- USA Network
- Unimas
- Universal Kids
- Univision
- VH1
- WE TV
- The Weather Channel
- YouTube Originals
- 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.
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.
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.
fuboTV’s entry-level Pro plan costs $74.99 per month. The Pro plan has more than 152 live TV channels and 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR. It is missing the Turner networks, including TNT, TBS and CNN. But fubo is about to start carrying regional Bally Sports networks, which could be a big deal if you are a diehard MLB or NBA fan.
DIRECTV STREAM likewise starts at $74.99 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 $99.99 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 $69.99 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.
Founder and Editor of The Cord Cutting Report. Before launching the site in 2016, he worked for more than two decades as a staff writer or correspondent for a number of daily newspapers, including The Boston Globe. His enthusiasm for tech began with the Atari 2600. Follow @james_kimble
