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What Is YouTube Live TV? How Creators Can Benefit from it

YouTube is not only a platform where people can upload and share video content online. In 2017 an online live TV streaming service was launched under the name YouTube TV.  With time it became an attractive alternative for a modern TV experience. In 2024 it became the fourth-largest pay-TV provider in the U.S. 

If you are looking for a new way to consume entertainment and or want to cut the basic cable TV cord, YouTube TV might be what you are looking for. The best part is that you can have access to the platform for free to try it out and see whether you like it or not. How? Just go to the YouTube TV website and click on “Try it For Free”. This way you access a free trial to test it out and see if you like it before committing to any payment. 

Sounds interesting? Let´s dive into detail in this article! 

What Is YouTube TV?

YouTube TV is a streaming service that lets you watch live TV from major broadcast and cable networks without the need of a traditional cable or satellite subscription. 

By paying a monthly subscription (Base Plan starting at $82.99)  you get access to a variety of channels like ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, all available to stream online. 

YouTube TV vs Traditional Cable

Traditional cable service requires a physical cable box, installation fees and annual contracts. YouTube TV is a digital entertainment solution that allows its users to stream content over the internet.

Feature YouTube TV Traditional Cable
Contract No long-term contract Requires a contract
Equipment No cable box needed Requires cable box and setup
DVR Storage Unlimited cloud storage Limited storage or extra cost
Streaming Flexibility Watch on multiple devices Limited to TV sets
Pricing Monthly fee Additional fees or hidden costs

Key features of YouTube TV

YouTube TV is a popular streaming service that offers: 

Live TV Streaming: You can watch over 100 channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and more. 

Unlimited Cloud DVR: You can watch, record and store your favorite shows for up to 9 months without having to worry about limited storage. You can record an unlimited number of shows simultaneously. 

Multiple Streams: You can create up to 6 user profiles per account and stream on up to 3 devices at once. YouTube TV is a great option for families or multiple users in the same household who want to enjoy content on different devices at the same time.

Content On Demand: You get to access a library of shows and movies available for on demand viewing.

No Cable Box: You don’t need a cable box to use YouTube TV. You can watch it from smart TVs, streaming devices, computers, gaming consoles or mobile apps. 

YouTube TV Pricing and Plans

YouTube TV offers 2 different main plans so you can choose the one that works best for you and make your experience uniquely yours. It also offers a free trial so you get to experience the platform before deciding on a monthly fee. 

YouTube TV Free Trial

YouTube TV offers a 10 day free trial so you can get to check out the platform for free. In order to start your free trial you just need to go to YouTube TV website, click on the “Try 10 days for $0”. Then you create your account, or sign in with Google, and provide your payment information.

The free trial option is only available for new users. You won’t be charged for those 10 free days but once the trial period ends, your account will automatically convert into a paid subscription. 

If you don't want to continue using YouTube TV, just make sure to cancel your subscription before the trial period ends. How? Just go to your YouTube TV Settings, click on “Membership” and you’ll be able to make the necessary changes to avoid unwanted charges. On the other hand, if you enjoyed your time, you don’t have to do anything and your subscription will automatically continue after the trial.

YouTube TV Base Plan

The YouTube TV Base Plan gives you access to over 100 channels. A plan designed for people who want full cable replacement with a mix of sports, news and entertainment content. 

  • Monthly price: $82.99.
  • Cloud DVR: Unlimited storage for recordings up to 9 months. 
  • Simultaneous streams: up to 3 devices at the same time. 
  • Multiple profiles: Up to 6 different profiles per account. 

To start your subscription, go to the YouTube TV website, click on the “Get YouTube TV”. Then sign in with your Google account, or create a new one, and choose the Base Plan option.  Provide all your payment information and start streaming live TV instantly. 

With YouTube TV you can cancel your subscription at any time, there are no annual contract obligations. 

YouTube TV Base Plan + NFL Sunday Ticket

The YouTube TV Base Plan +  NFL Sunday Ticket offers the same content as the Base Plan and access to the NFL games every Sunday during the season. 

  • Monthly price: $82.99.
  • NFL Ticket Add-On: 4 payments of $94.50 (total of $378) per installment for the season. 
  • Cloud DVR: Unlimited storage for recordings up to 9 months. 
  • Simultaneous streams: up to 3 devices at the same time. 
  • Multiple profiles: Up to 6 different profiles per account. 

To start your subscription, go to the YouTube TV website, click on the “Get YouTube TV”. Then sign in with your Google account, or create a new one, and choose the Base Plan + NFL Sunday Ticket option.  Provide all your payment information and start streaming live TV instantly. 

With YouTube TV you can cancel your subscription at any time, there are no annual contract obligations. 

YouTube TV Spanish Plan

YouTube TV Spanish Plan gives you access to over 25 Spanish  channels without requiring the Base Pan Subscription. 

  • Monthly price: $34.99.
  • Cloud DVR: Unlimited storage for recordings up to 9 months. 
  • Simultaneous streams: up to 3 devices at the same time. 
  • Multiple profiles: Up to 6 different profiles per account. 

In order to start your subscription, go to the YouTube TV website, click on the “Get YouTube TV”. Then sign in with your Google account, or create a new one, and choose the Spanish Plan option.  Provide all your payment information and start streaming live TV instantly. 

If you already purchased the Base Plan Subscription and you want to watch more content in Spanish, you can also add the Spanish Add-On for an additional $14.99 a month to access the Spanish channels. 

Navigating YouTube TV Interface

Once you registered and signed in into your YouTube TV account you’ll be able to see 3 different tabs: 

  • Home
  • Library
  • Live

Home

The Home section is the main one. Once you log into your account, you’ll see different recommendations on your home page. 

Library

The Library section is where you can add your favorite content. All the different shows that you record, store in your library for up to 9 months. 

To add a show to your library just click on the show and you’ll see a “+” button. Click on it and it will change into a check mark which means it has been correctly added to your library and it will record any future shows. This creates a curated list of your favorite content making it easier to access the programs or shows you enjoy. 

Live

The Live section shows a guide with options with shows or programs available at the moment.  You can scroll up and down to see what is going on and what you’d like to watch. 

You can also use the search bar or magnifying glass to directly search for your favorite shows, movies or programs. This makes it easier to add the things you like to your library. 

How to Get the Most out of YouTube TV

Here are some tips you can do to make the best experience you can out of your YouTube TV account. 

  • Record Your Favourite Moments: Take advantage of the unlimited DVR storage and save your favorite shows, movies or programs to watch anytime you want. You can check our article on How To Record On YouTube to get all the best tips!
  • Customize Your Guide: Go through the Live Guide and reorder the different channels to match your preferences. Build your library so you can find what you want to watch faster and all in the same place. 
  • Set Up Multiple Profiles: Create different profiles so everyone can get personalized recommendations and customize their library as they want. 
  • Enable Picture in Picture Mode: Watch on one part of the screen while multitasking on another one on compatible mobile devices.

How Creators Can Benefit From YouTube TV?

YouTube TV also offers a new different way for creators to target specific audiences and interact with them on bigger screens. 

As a YouTuber you have the option to set up Youtube Tv for Live Streaming! All you have to do is Log into your account, go to “Creator Studio” and under “settings” enable the live streaming option. 

You get to choose YouTube TV as a platform for broadcasting your lives or scheduled streams, increasing content reach and ensuring more interactions with your viewers. 

Best Practices For Creators Using YouTube TV

1. Consistent Content: Make a schedule for your regular streams and share it with your audience to build a space to get together online. 

2. Interact With Your Audience: Talk to your viewers during your livestreams. Respond to comments and incentivize them to participate in your videos. 

3. Promote Yourself: Use your other social media accounts to promote your live streams ahead of time to maximize viewership.

4. Pay Attention To Analytics: Always be aware of your own analytics to track your performance and adjust your content strategically if needed. 

TV Integration on Content Creation

Lots of people are more used to consuming content on TV screens rather than smartphones, computers or any other electronic device. 

YouTube TV offers a big screen entertainment experience that can increase engagement from different demographics backgrounds.

Organizing Content into Episodes or Seasons

YouTube TV offers creators the possibility to organize the content they create into episodes in order to take advantage of the binge watching trend more viewers are on. This way more people can be drawn to more and more content creators make and share on the platform. 

Besides this, as now viewers get to watch content in wider screens, videos are more likely to be watched in groups or families in the living room TV. This responds to the audience's desire for a more long episodic kind of content. 

Channels Available on YouTube TV

YouTube TV offers a variety of channels providing entertainment, news and sports content. With over 100 different channels you can spend hours and hours on the platform. 

Here’s a list of some of the main channels available:

Sports Channels

  • ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN News
  • FOX Sports 1 (FS1), FOX Sports 2 (FS2)
  • NBC Sports, CBS Sports Network
  • NFL Network, NBA TV, MLB Network
  • Golf Channel

News Channels

  • CNN
  • FOX News
  • MSNBC
  • BBC World News
  • CNBC, Cheddar News

Entertainment Channels

  • ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC
  • FX, FXX, AMC
  • Bravo, E!, Syfy
  • Comedy Central, MTV, VH1
  • Discovery Channel, National Geographic

Local Channels

YouTube TV includes local ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC affiliates in most regions, allowing you to watch regional news, sports, and local programming.

Check Your Local Lineup

The availability of certain channels varies by location. You can go to the YouTube TV website and click on the “My Lineup” tab to enter your zip code and see the whole list of available channels at your location.  

Add-ons & Premium Channels

YouTube TV also offers some premium channels you can get access to for a monthly added price. Here are the main popular ones: 

  • HBO Max
  • Showtime
  • STARZ
  • Cinemax
  • NBA League Pass

In order to see the available additional channels, you can log into your account, head to “Settings” and then click on “Membership”. Then select “View add ons” and you’ll be able to see the whole list of possible channels with their respective price. You can click on the “add” option next to each network to add them to your account.

What is YouTube TV’s Cloud DVR & How It Works

One of YouTube TV's main features and what makes it the most popular choice among users is the Cloud DVR. 

DVR stands for Digital Video Recorder, which means that users get to record their favourite shows, sports events and movies. All of this material is stored in the cloud so there's no physical space limitations. 

While Traditional Cable TV typically offers limited storage or additional fees in order to get more storage options, YouTube TV offers unlimited storage. 

How To Record Content On YouTube TV?

To record a movie, show or event you simply need to click on the “+” button next to it. This will turn the button into a check tag and automatically add the content to your Library. 

In your Library, all the content is categorized in an orderly way under the show, sports or movie category. For a more organized interface, you can create up to 6 separate profiles to keep all recordings organized for different users. 

DVR Cloud Storage Capacity

With YouTube TV you have unlimited Cloud DVR Storage at no extra cost. This means that: 

  • Recordings are stored for 9 months. After this period, they are automatically deleted. 
  • You can record as many shows as you want at the same time. There's no limit on simultaneous recordings. 

In recorded content you can fast forward, rewind and skip commercials. Note that ad skipping is available for many recorded shows, though not for all programs.

Where Can You Watch YouTube TV?

YouTube TV is available on mobile and web versions as long as in other streaming devices. 

Mobile and Web

  • Mobile Apps: Available on iOS and Android users. 
  • Web Browsers: Accessible through Chrome, Edge, Safari and Firefox. 

Other Streaming Devices

  • Smart TV’s: Samsung, LG, Vizio, Sony and almost any other brand and model 2016 and newer. 
  • Streaming Devices: Roku, Chromecast, Apple TV, Fire TV, NVIDIA Shield. 
  • Gaming Consoles: PlayStation and Xbox.

YouTube TV: Pros and Cons

Before subscribing to YouTube TV here are the main benefits and drawbacks: 

Pros of YouTube TV

YouTube TV holds some distinguishing features. Among them: 

  • Internet connection to watch TV:  There's no need for a cable box or any other kind of equipment. 
  • Unlimited DVR Storage: Record as much content as you want. 
  • Multiple User Profiles: up to 6 profiles per account, each with personalized recommendations.

Cons of YouTube TV

  • Price: $82.99 a month can be quite expensive for some users.
  • Limited sports networks: Some local sports channels may not be available. 

Only available in the U.S: access is blocked outside the country. So if you travel a lot or move to a different country you won’t be able to access your content.

YouTube TV vs. Competitors

YouTube TV is not the only option out there for watching TV through an internet connection. 

Feature YouTube TV Hulu + Live TV Sling TV
Starting Price $82.99 $82.99 $40
Content 100+ channels, strong sports coverage 95+ channels, includes Hulu Originals 30+ channels (Orange plan), 40+ (Blue plan)
DVR Unlimited storage (9 months) 50 hours (200 hours for extra $9.99) 50 hours (Add-on for $5/month)
Simultaneous Stream 3 2 (can be upgraded) 1 (can be upgraded)
Device Support Smart TVs, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast Smart TVs, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast Smart TVs, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast
Free Trial 10 days 3 days 3 days

Hulu + Live TV

Hulu + Live TV offers  over 95 different live channels like ESPN and also on demand content like Disney + catalogue. Hulu combines the best of both of those things so you can stick to a single platform. 

Also, the Hulu Originals Library provides a huge plus for on-demand streaming. 

Sling TV

Sling TV offers more affordable subscription options, with different plans including more or less depending on the price you are willing to pay. It offers customizable add-ons, including additional DVR storage and sports channels, and more flexibility in terms of streaming options. 

It may not offer a huge amount of channels to watch but if you have the channel you’d like to watch it can be the most cost effective one

Each service has its unique strengths, and the choice depends on your preferences for content, price, and features. YouTube TV can be the best option for sports fans who want unlimited DVR storage to record the games and enjoy a large number of channels. Hulu + Live TV offers an extended on-demand service. Sling TV is the most budget friendly solution, keeping affordable fees. 

Final Thoughts on YouTube TV

If you are a US resident and you want to change the way you watch TV in order to reduce some extra costs, YouTube TV might be the right choice for you. 

The best part is that you can get your free trial and really experience what the platform is like and the different kinds of content there is before you make a decision in terms of money. 

So if this article was interesting and YouTube TV intrigues you, go give it a test drive! If you like it, go ahead and start your subscription; if you don't forget to cancel before they charge you. 

Looking for Other Articles On YouTube?

Check out these as well:

FAQs
How does YouTube TV compare to traditional cable TV in terms of contract?
Can I watch YouTube TV while traveling outside the U.S.?
What types of content are available with YouTube TV's on-demand service?
What makes YouTube TV's DVR feature different from other streaming services?
How does YouTube TV's streaming flexibility compare to traditional cable TV?

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