How Much is YouTube TV? 2026 Pricing, Plans & Costs

If you’ve been eyeing YouTube TV but keep putting off signing up because you’re not sure what you’ll actually pay, you’re not alone. The service dropped a whole new lineup of genre-specific plans in early 2026, shifting things around enough that even current subscribers have questions. By the time you’re done here, you’ll know exactly what each plan costs, where the promos are, and how to decide if it’s worth the price for your household.

Base Monthly Cost: $82.99 · Channels Included: 100+ · Household Accounts: Up to 6 · Free Trial Length: Up to 21 days · Add-On Plans Start At: $54.99

How much does YouTube TV actually cost?

The standard price most people will pay is $82.99 per month for the main YouTube TV plan, which covers over 100 live channels including local networks. That rate has held steady since the service launched, but promotional pricing can bring it down significantly for new subscribers.

Base plan pricing

New users currently pay $67.99/month for the first 3 months under a promotional deal, which shaves $15 off the regular rate and saves $45 total over the introductory period. After those 3 months, the price jumps to the standard $82.99/month. This promo ends June 30, 2026, according to YouTube TV Official.

Add-on costs

YouTube TV launched several genre-specific add-on plans alongside its base offering. The Sports plan runs $64.99/month, though new subscribers can grab it at $54.99/month for the first 12 months, saving $120 over the year. The Sports Plus News bundle costs $71.99/month or $56.99/month for new users during the same period. There’s also an Entertainment plan at $54.99/month that drops to $44.99 for the first 3 months, and a Spanish-language plan at $34.99/month. The 4K Plus add-on costs nothing for the first 30 days, then runs $4.99–$9.99/month depending on the promotional terms.

Annual equivalent

If you sign up at the standard $82.99/month rate and keep the service for a full year, you’re looking at $995.88. Locking in the current promo saves you $180 in year one. Verizon Home internet customers get an even better deal at $62.99/month for the first 6 months, which works out to $377.94 for half a year before the rate adjusts.

What are the YouTube TV packages?

YouTube TV reorganized its offerings in February 2026, introducing a set of genre-specific plans alongside the flagship main plan. This gives subscribers more granular choices about what they’re actually paying for, though it also means more decisions to make.

Main plan details

The main YouTube TV plan remains the anchor option at $82.99/month (or $67.99 for the first 3 months). It covers over 100 live channels including ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, ESPN, CNN, and HGTV. All plans include unlimited cloud DVR storage, three simultaneous streams, and up to six household profiles. You can watch on TVs through the YouTube TV app on compatible devices or cast from your phone.

Sports and entertainment options

The Sports plan ($64.99/month, $54.99 for new users) is designed around viewers who prioritize live games. It bundles regional sports networks that the base plan doesn’t include. The Sports Plus News tier adds national news channels at $71.99/month ($56.99 for new users). For casual viewers who mostly want drama and reality programming, the Entertainment plan at $54.99/month (dropping to $44.99 for three months) offers a smaller channel lineup without the sports overhead.

4K Plus and Sports Plus

The 4K Plus add-on is YouTube TV’s premium enhancement, offering streams in 4K Ultra HD, unlimited simultaneous streams within your home network, and offline downloads for mobile. It comes with a free 30-day trial, then costs $4.99–$9.99/month for 12 months depending on current promotions. Sports Plus is the name for the bundle that stacks regional sports networks onto the main or Entertainment plan, with pricing varying by region and available channels.

How can I get YouTube TV for free?

YouTube TV doesn’t offer a no-strings-attached free tier, but it does run promotional free trials that let you test the service before committing. The standard trial window runs up to 21 days for new customers, though the exact length depends on ongoing promotions.

Free trial process

To start a free trial, visit tv.youtube.com and sign in with your Google account. The trial requires a payment method on file, so you’ll need to enter credit card or PayPal details even though you won’t be charged until the trial ends. Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility as a new subscriber, the trial activates immediately.

Trial duration and limits

The free trial currently runs 21 days for new customers, which is notably longer than Hulu + Live TV’s 3-day trial. Some promotional windows have offered shorter 10-day trials, so the available length can vary. The 4K Plus add-on has its own separate 30-day free trial that runs independently from the main service trial, giving you a chance to test the premium features before deciding whether to pay for them.

Eligibility requirements

Free trials are only available to first-time YouTube TV subscribers. If you’ve previously had an active subscription—even if it was canceled—you won’t qualify for the trial. Existing Google Play subscribers or people with past YouTube premium memberships may also be excluded. Google accounts that have already received a YouTube TV trial are flagged in the system, so creating a new account to access a second trial violates the terms of service.

Which is better, YouTube TV or Hulu live?

These two services dominate the live TV streaming space, and the pricing difference is significant enough that the choice matters. YouTube TV undercuts Hulu + Live TV at the base level, but Hulu bundles in streaming services that you’d otherwise pay for separately.

Channel lineup differences

YouTube TV edges out Hulu on channel count with 100+ channels versus Hulu’s 95+. Both include the major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox) and popular cable mainstays like ESPN, FX, and HGTV. The gap is small but meaningful if you’re trying to catch niche cable networks that might fall below the cutoff point in Hulu’s lineup. YouTube TV’s recently launched genre-specific add-ons give it more flexibility for customization, while Hulu’s package is more fixed in what you get at each price tier.

Pricing head-to-head

YouTube TV starts at $82.99/month compared to Hulu + Live TV’s $89.99/month. At face value, YouTube TV is $7 cheaper. However, Hulu’s $89.99 plan includes Disney+ With Ads (valued at $9.99/month) and ESPN Select (valued at $12.99/month), which adds roughly $23 in bundled value. YouTube TV charges extra for comparable sports coverage through its Sports plan add-on at $64.99/month. If you add the Sports plan to YouTube TV’s base, you’re looking at $147.98/month versus Hulu’s all-in $89.99/month. The math only favors YouTube TV if you don’t care about Disney+ and ESPN.

DVR and features

Both services offer unlimited cloud DVR storage, though recordings expire after 9 months on each platform. Where YouTube TV pulls ahead is simultaneous streams: it allows 3 at once versus Hulu’s 2. YouTube TV also supports unlimited streams within your home network with the 4K Plus add-on, while Hulu charges $9.99/month for an “unlimited screens” add-on that covers home viewing. The interface difference matters too—YouTube TV uses the YouTube platform that most viewers already know, while Hulu has its own distinct layout.

“The real value comes from the bundle savings: Disney+ (With Ads) runs $9.99 monthly on its own, and ESPN Select costs $12.99 monthly.”

— Reviews.org (Independent streaming service comparison platform)

The comparison cuts differently depending on what you watch. Sports fans who want ESPN and regional sports networks might find Hulu’s bundled value compelling when you factor in the Disney+ and ESPN inclusions. Casual viewers who don’t care about Disney+ and want the simplest interface possible lean toward YouTube TV.

The implication: if you already subscribe to Disney+ and ESPN separately, Hulu’s bundle effectively costs you nothing extra—but YouTube TV’s cleaner interface and three-stream advantage may still tip the scales for households prioritizing simplicity. For those interested in catching all the action, you can find out how much YouTube TV costs with this Man Utd on TV.

How do I subscribe to YouTube TV?

Signing up for YouTube TV takes under 10 minutes if you already have a Google account. The process walks you through choosing a plan, setting up your household, and getting the app on your devices.

Sign-up steps

Start by heading to tv.youtube.com or opening the YouTube TV app on a compatible device. Click “Try it free” and sign in with your Google account. If you don’t have a Google account, you’ll need to create one first—it’s free and takes a couple of minutes.

• Visit tv.youtube.com or open the YouTube TV app
• Click “Start free trial” and sign in with your Google account
• Verify your home ZIP code to confirm local channel availability
• Add a payment method (required even for the free trial)
• Choose your plan: main YouTube TV, or an add-on like Sports or Entertainment
• Set up your household profile and any additional family members
• Download the app on your preferred devices and start watching

Account setup

After subscribing, YouTube TV prompts you to set your home network. This is important because it determines which local channels you receive and which features are available on your home network versus mobile. You can add up to six people to your household, each with their own personalized DVR and recommendations. To add household members, go to Settings and select “Household & management.”

Payment options

YouTube TV accepts credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal as payment methods. Google Play gift cards can also be applied. Payment is handled through your Google account’s existing payment methods. You’re charged at the end of your free trial period, then monthly on the same date. You can manage your payment method anytime through your Google Account settings.

“New YouTube TV users pay $67.99 for 3 months of the main YouTube TV plan (save $45), then $82.99/mo thereafter. Ends 6/30/26.”

— YouTube TV Official (Direct pricing announcement from the service provider)

YouTube TV plan specifications

Four distinct plans currently make up the YouTube TV lineup, each targeting different viewer priorities and budgets.

Is YouTube TV worth the price in 2026?

The math on YouTube TV depends heavily on which plan you choose and whether you catch the promotional pricing. For viewers who want comprehensive live TV coverage without a cable contract, the main plan at $82.99/month undercuts most cable bundles while delivering more channels than most competitors. The 21-day free trial lets you verify that the channel selection meets your household’s needs before committing.

The real opportunity is locking in the promotional rate. New subscribers paying $67.99 for three months save $45 compared to the standard rate over that same period. After June 30, 2026, that deal disappears. For families on the fence about cutting cable, the current promo window makes this the most cost-effective time to switch. Sports fans should check whether Hulu’s bundled Disney+ and ESPN Select actually provide better value than YouTube TV’s Sports plan add-on, since the math changes depending on which networks you watch most.

For cord-cutters ready to make the move, the decision is straightforward: grab the free trial, lock in the $67.99 rate before the promo expires, and start building your streaming setup. For viewers still weighing options, the comparison with Hulu comes down to whether Disney+ and ESPN are worth nearly $24 in bundled value against YouTube TV’s cleaner interface and better stream count. Those who skip the promo window end up paying $180 more in year one—a penalty that compounds if you’re also paying for Disney+ and ESPN à la carte.

Related reading: Best Movies on HBO Max Right Now · What NFL Games Are On Today

Our 2026 projections build on recent changes detailed in this 2024 YouTube TV pricing breakdown, highlighting flexible add-ons alongside the base 100+ channel package.

Frequently asked questions