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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!
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 gives you access to over 25 Spanish channels without requiring the Base Pan Subscription.
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.
Once you registered and signed in into your YouTube TV account you’ll be able to see 3 different tabs:
The Home section is the main one. Once you log into your account, you’ll see different recommendations on your home page.
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.
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.
Here are some tips you can do to make the best experience you can out of your YouTube TV account.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
YouTube TV includes local ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC affiliates in most regions, allowing you to watch regional news, sports, and local programming.
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.
YouTube TV also offers some premium channels you can get access to for a monthly added price. Here are the main popular ones:
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.
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.
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.
With YouTube TV you have unlimited Cloud DVR Storage at no extra cost. This means that:
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.
YouTube TV is available on mobile and web versions as long as in other streaming devices.
Before subscribing to YouTube TV here are the main benefits and drawbacks:
YouTube TV holds some distinguishing features. Among them:
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 is not the only option out there for watching TV through an internet connection.
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 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.
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.
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