History
YouTube TV is a subscription streaming service founded in 2017 by YouTube, a subsidiary of Google that lets users watch live TV from all of your favorite cable networks and major broadcasts. Users can watch local and national live sports, stream news and watch all of their favorite shows while they air- just like regular television. YouTube TV also offers on-demand video and cloud-based DVR for over 70 channels. Major channels include CBS, ABC, Fox, NBC, FX, AMC, FOX News, CNN, Discovery, TBS and ESPN. YouTube TV began streaming in April of 2017 in five U.S. markets and expanded to cover 98% of the U.S. population in January of 2019.
Content
YouTube TV boasts 70 major networks on its lineup with all of the most popular networks from news, sports and lifestyle channels. For news channels, YouTube TV offers ABC, BBC America, CBS, CNBC, CNN, FOX News and NBC. If sports are more your jam, you’re in luck. YouTube TV carries all the major sports networks like CBS Sports, ESPN, ESPN 2, FS1, NBC Sports, MLB Network and NBA TV. YouTube TV however does not carry the NFL network. For lifestyle and entertainment, YouTube TV offers AMC, Animal Planet, Cartoon Network, The CW, The Discovery Channel, Food Network, FX, HGTV, National Geographic, TLC, TNT, The Travel Channel and USA. Users can also access local live TV channels.
You can purchase additional subscriptions through YouTube TV that include NBA League Pass for $40 per month, Showtime for $7 per month, Starz for $9 per month and AMC Premium for $5 per month.
Pricing
YouTube TV costs users $49.99 a month with no annual subscriptions. If you purchase YouTube TV through the Apple Store, the cost goes up to $54.99 a month to compensate for the Apple Store’s cut on apps purchased through their store.
Features
Unlike most streaming services, YouTube TV doesn’t have original content, and instead focuses on channels that users can get from regular TV services, usually at a lower price that most. One of the main features of YouTube TV is its cloud-based DVR service. It delivers unlimited storage space that keeps recordings for nine months. There’s also a personal library for each user, so account user can record what they want and create their own personalized library of DVR content. Users subscriptions can be shared across six accounts with three screens.
Capable Devices
YouTube TV works across multiple devices so anyone wanting YouTube TV can access this service. Users can access YouTube TV across various smart TVs, in addition to these streaming media players, Chromecast, Nvidia Shield TV, Roku, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV (4th generation & 4K). You’re also able to download a YouTube TV app that makes the platform accessible from any device.
The Editors’ Choice video streaming service drives a competitive channel lineup, DVR options and easy-to-use interface. YouTube TV drives a solid performance against major TV services and cord-cutters looking for a streaming option, similar to the TV experience they know.
