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Live TV streaming services can take the place of cable TV packages, letting you ditch rented set-top boxes and potentially save some money over legacy plans.
YouTube TV has become a popular option for live TV, offering more than 100 channels, including local and national networks, sports and news, in addition to smaller, more specialized packages.
But how much does YouTube TV cost and is it worth it? The price depends on the package and add-ons you select, and you can compare it to what you’re paying now.
How much is YouTube TV a month?
YouTube TV costs $82.99 per month for the Base Plan. First-time customers can take advantage of a free trial for 21 days and a promotional rate of $59.99 per month for the first two months.
The Base Plan comes with more than 100 channels, but extra networks are available à la carte at varying rates.
For example, you can get the Spanish Plus add-on, which comes with more than 25 Spanish channels, for $14.99 a month on top of your Base Plan rate.
Depending on where you live, your monthly bill may also have sales or communications taxes added.
YouTube TV also recently added some cheaper, more specialized packages if you’re not interested in the full Base Plan:
| Plan | Description |
|---|---|
| Sports Plan $64.99/month or $54.99/month (new users*) | All major broadcasters, plus sports networks like FS1, NBC Sports Network, all ESPN networks and ESPN Unlimited (coming fall 2026). |
| Sports + News Plan $71.99/month or $56.99/month (new users**) | Sports Plan, plus national news networks like CNBC, MSNBC, Fox News and CNN. |
| Entertainment Plan $54.99/month or $44.99/month (new users**) | All major broadcasters and content, including Comedy Central, Bravo, Paramount, Food Network and more. |
| News + Entertainment + Family Plan $69.99/month or $59.99/month (new users**) | News Plan, Entertainment Plan and family content such as Disney Channel, Nickelodeon and National Geographic. |
* For the first year.
** For the first three months.
** For the first three months.
What else can I add on to YouTube TV?
Other content add-on packages are available for added cost.
For instance, new users can add NFL Sunday Ticket, which offers access to NFL games outside your local market, to your Base Plan for an annual payment of $192 or monthly payments of $16. Return subscribers pay $378 per year or monthly payments of $31.50. NFL RedZone, which “brings you every touchdown, from every game, every Sunday afternoon,” can be added.
Similarly, TV and movie buffs can bundle Paramount+ with Showtime, Starz and HBO Max in the Entertainment Plus add-on for an additional $29.99 per month.
Other add-on options include:
- Additional premium channels starting at $1.99 a month.
- 4K Plus ultra-high-definition viewing for an additional $9.99 a month (requires compatible device).
- Additional sports networks for $10.99 a month with NFL RedZone with Sports Plus.
- Additional Spanish language channels for $14.99 a month with Spanish Plus.
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How much is YouTube TV for 1 year?
YouTube TV’s Base Plan is strictly month-to-month, with no option for an annual plan. If you keep the Base Plan for a year, that works out to $995.88 total. If you sign up for a smaller specialized package, you’ll pay less, but none are cheaper than $650 per year. (You may spend slightly less if you’re a new user.)
This may sound steep compared with other streaming platforms, but keep in mind that YouTube TV is meant to replace your cable TV package. And the average amount people pay for a cable or satellite television bundle is $187.99 per month as of January 2025, according to data analytics company J.D. Power.
You can cancel at any time without penalties or cancellation fees, but you can't get a refund for a partial viewing period. Your YouTube TV settings will be saved in case you want to restart your membership. You also have the option to pause your membership for up to six months without losing your DVR recordings.
Does YouTube TV allow password sharing?
YouTube TV offers six household accounts and can be streamed across as many as three devices, meaning you can share your subscription with others in your household. You can send a message to invite someone to join your “family group,” but they must be age 13 or older, live in your household and not be part of another family group. Each account user gets their own login.
When signing up, YouTube will ask for your home ZIP code to provide the correct local channels. You can use it in other locations, such as while traveling, but may not be able to record things outside your home area. And frequent travelers should “check in” at least once every three months by watching something in their home area.
Does YouTube TV offer offline viewing?
YouTube TV’s Base Plan doesn’t support offline viewing. However, users can add 4K Plus for an additional $9.99 per month, which offers unlimited simultaneous viewing and the ability to download movies or shows to watch offline. Also, some add-on networks may allow downloading of content for offline viewing.
Is YouTube TV worth it?
It depends on your budget and what you're currently spending on entertainment. If you’re looking to replace your cable TV package, and you're paying more than $82.99 per month, YouTube TV could be a solid option. Before you make the switch, compare the channels offered with the channels you get with cable.
Think about your budget, too. Streaming services and cable fall under the “wants” portion of your budget. In the popular 50/30/20 budget, for example, 30% of your after-tax income goes toward wants, while 50% is for needs and the final 20% goes to savings and debt paydown.
If you’re having trouble fitting your choice of streaming services into your discretionary spending, look into ways to save money elsewhere in your budget.
You might also look into whether any rewards credit cards you carry or want to open offer cash back or rewards on streaming services.
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