Is YouTube TV Worth It?
Are you tired of paying for a big cable month or do you think this cable plan with a huge channel lineup that you have signed up for is a waste of money? Yes, then cutting the cord and subscribing to YouTube TV could be a reasonable decision to make.
YouTube TV is one of the more reliable options, with over 70 stations to choose from, including local broadcast networks (depending on your region). If you have a fast and reliable internet plan like Cox plans, you may not face any trouble streaming! However, this live TV service is also one of the more expensive live TV providers with a price starting at $64.99 per month. This raises the question, is YouTube TV worth it?
Follow along to find the answer!
Contents
What Channels Can You Expect?
YouTube TV is one of the greatest live TV streaming services, with an excellent channel selection and an unparalleled user experience, since its introduction in 2017. Even though its price has nearly doubled since then, it remains a better pick than any of its premium competitors, including FuboTV, Hulu Plus Live TV, and even DirecTV Stream.
The number of channels available on YouTube TV is its key selling point for cord-cutters. It currently has the most networks than any streaming service, with 78 of the top 100, including several cable staples as well as the four local networks — ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC — and local PBS stations in most regions nationally. It also launched a 4K streaming upgrade, which costs an extra $20 per month.
Another cool thing about this streaming service is that it features more news and sports channels than its competitors. There’s one bummer though, some Regional Sports Networks are not included in the subscription because of the provider’s dispute with other networks.
The Interface
YouTube TV has a nice and simple interface with a user with three main tabs: Library, Home, and Live. The Library area houses recorded content, while Home displays a list of YouTube TV’s most popular shows. It’s divided into several parts, including one at the top titled “Top picks for you.”
Users may see the tags that were used to curate the material beneath the recommended options. The Live tab has a TV guide listing currently available shows and upcoming shows. To the left, you’ll find channel icons. Users can also rank their most-used channels at the top of the list for quick access.
There is a search bar as well located at the top of each page making it simple to find and view the things you would like to watch. For the recorded content, you can skip the ads and commercials but this feature is not available for live stream.
Devices Supported by YouTube TV
The best thing about this service is that you can stream on any device that supports the YouTube app. This means you can stream on your laptop, TV, and smartphone.
Here is a list of devices that are compatible with YouTube TV:
- Android L and above
- Apple iOS 11 and above
- Google Chromecast
- Amazon Fire TV stick and cube
- Apple TV
- PS 3 and 4
- Xbox One
- LG smart TVs
- Roku
- Xbox One
- Firefox and Google Chrome
Premium Channels as Add-ons Are Available
Although YouTube TV’s channel lineup is great, there’s always the opportunity to add extra channels based on your preferences and budget. YouTube TV offers a free trial period for potential members to see if these channels are suited for them.
Here’s a list of premium channels available:
- CuriosityStream
- AMC Premiere
- Sundance Now
- Acorn
- Showtime
- Starz
- Cinemax
- Shudder
- FOX Soccer Plus
- HBO MAX
- NBA League Pass
- Epix
Other Features
That’s not it, here are some extra features that make this streaming service even more special:
Cloud DVR
If you have subscribed to the Cloud DVR service, you can record an infinite number of shows for up to nine months, with no limit on how many they can record at the same time. Other streaming services normally give 50 hours of storage, which can be increased to 200 hours for an additional cost.
Number of Users and Permissions
You can create 6 user profiles per account and everyone in the house can view content based on their recommendations. Another great thing is that each user profile gets its own storage space for content recording, which is amazing!
Parental Controls
Users can set restrictions on who can see what, for example, limiting children’s watching to the Kids Hub. They can also control access to content by enabling the “Allow TV-Y, TV-G, G, and PG only” option.
So, Is It Really Worth It?
YouTube TV is expensive no doubt but it’s one of a kind. It’s better than most streaming services out there. If you’re an entertainment aficionado but planning to cut the cord, YouTube TV would just feel like cable TV to you!
