YouTube TV Raises Monthly Price to $82.99 as 3 Channels Leave
Still appeals to sports fans with live channels, unlimited DVR and access to ESPN Unlimited for eligible subscribers. But its $82.99 monthly base price and the…
YouTube TV remains a strong option for households that want live sports without a cable subscription, but its monthly price now demands a closer look. The service costs $82.99 a month for its main plan, and three channels are scheduled to leave on September 30.
The value depends on what subscribers watch. Sports fans have access to ESPN Unlimited through the main plan and Sports Plan, while households that mainly want a broad range of entertainment channels may weigh the price against competing services or a smaller package.
YouTube TV’s price and channel changes
YouTube TV raised its base price from $72.99 a month to $82.99 a month earlier this year, according to Engadget. The main plan includes more than 100 channels and unlimited DVR storage, features that may matter to viewers who want live television alongside recordings they can keep.
But channel lineups can change. Tastemade, Court TV and The Young Turks are set to leave the service on September 30. Engadget reported that subscribers will also lose recordings saved from those channels. The channels remain available free on services including Pluto TV, The Roku Channel and Samsung TV Plus, according to the report.
For subscribers, the practical question is whether the channels they watch justify the recurring fee. Engadget said the main plan may suit people who rely on cable staples such as Hallmark and Disney Channel, while the Sports + Entertainment package offers more than 70 channels and costs $11 less a month.
The cost comparison is not straightforward. Engadget reported that YouTube TV remains cheaper than most cable or satellite setups, but costs more than the priciest Sling plan, which has more than 50 channels. Hulu + Live TV’s ad-supported package costs $99 a month and includes Disney+, ESPN Select, Hulu and live television, the report said.
Sports access is a key draw
Sports programming gives YouTube TV a clearer pitch. ESPN Unlimited became fully available to main-plan and Sports Plan subscribers at the start of September, Engadget reported. The outlet cited college football and out-of-market NHL games as draws for fans.
New users can also get NFL Sunday Ticket for $30 a month, according to Engadget. Current subscribers pay the standard $47.25 a month for the offer, the report said. That difference means the promotion may be more attractive to people considering a new subscription than to existing members.
There are limits. Engadget’s account noted that Spectrum SportsNet is not available on YouTube TV, requiring one Lakers fan to subscribe separately to Spectrum’s streaming service. The service’s 4K Plus add-on costs an extra $10 a month and applies only to select content, including sports, live events and shows from its on-demand library.
A previous dispute also exposed how channel negotiations can disrupt viewing. The Disney blackout ended last November after affecting ABC and ESPN, following a 15-day blackout period on Disney-owned channels during contract negotiations the previous October, Engadget reported.
That record matters to subscribers who depend on a particular channel or have recordings they want to keep. The coming removal of three channels is a more immediate change, while the broader choice is whether the live lineup and sports access are worth paying for month after month.
An old Nest Hub can serve as a small screen
Subscribers do not need to watch only on a television. BGR reported that YouTube TV can play on a Google Nest Hub, allowing users to call up a channel with voice commands such as “Hey Google, watch ESPN2 on YouTube TV.” The display can also respond to basic commands including “Pause,” “Louder” and “Show me the TV guide.”
The screens are modest. BGR said the second-generation Nest Hub has a 7-inch screen with 1,024-by-600 resolution. The Nest Hub Max has a 10.1-inch screen with 1,280-by-800 resolution. That makes either device more suited to a secondary viewing spot than a shared screen for a movie night.
Some users have reported problems running YouTube TV on Nest Hubs. BGR cited Cord Cutters News’ suggestion to upgrade from Google Assistant to Gemini for Home; the article said Gemini for Home’s basic version is a free upgrade. The Nest Hub also uses Google Cast and supports major video and audio services such as Netflix and Spotify, BGR reported.
Source: bgr.com
