Are you tired of traditional cable TV and looking for a more flexible and affordable way to watch your favorite shows? Look no further than YouTube TV. This popular streaming service offers a wide range of channels, including local networks, sports, and news, as well as access to YouTube’s vast library of on-demand content. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of subscribing to YouTube TV, so you can start streaming your favorite shows in no time.
What is YouTube TV?
Before we dive into the subscription process, let’s take a brief look at what YouTube TV has to offer. YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service that provides access to over 85 channels, including:
- Local networks like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC
- Sports networks like ESPN, FOX Sports, and NBC Sports
- News networks like CNN, MSNBC, and FOX News
- Entertainment networks like AMC, Bravo, and HGTV
- On-demand content from YouTube’s vast library
YouTube TV also offers a range of features, including:
- Cloud DVR: Record your favorite shows and movies and store them in the cloud for up to 9 months.
- Multi-device support: Watch YouTube TV on up to 3 devices at the same time.
- No contracts: Cancel your subscription at any time without penalty.
How to Subscribe to YouTube TV
Now that you know what YouTube TV has to offer, let’s walk through the subscription process.
Step 1: Check Availability
Before you can subscribe to YouTube TV, you need to check if it’s available in your area. YouTube TV is currently available in the United States, but it’s not available in all areas. To check availability, follow these steps:
- Go to the YouTube TV website (tv.youtube.com)
- Click on the “Check Availability” button
- Enter your zip code
- If YouTube TV is available in your area, you’ll see a list of channels and a “Start Free Trial” button
Step 2: Sign Up for a Google Account
To subscribe to YouTube TV, you need a Google account. If you don’t already have a Google account, you can create one by following these steps:
- Go to the Google account sign-up page (accounts.google.com)
- Enter your first and last name, email address, and password
- Click on the “Next” button
- Follow the prompts to complete the sign-up process
Step 3: Start Your Free Trial
Once you’ve checked availability and signed up for a Google account, you can start your free trial. To do this, follow these steps:
- Go to the YouTube TV website (tv.youtube.com)
- Click on the “Start Free Trial” button
- Enter your Google account credentials
- Click on the “Next” button
- Review the terms of service and click on the “Agree” button
Step 4: Choose Your Plan
After your free trial ends, you’ll need to choose a plan to continue watching YouTube TV. There are two plans to choose from:
- YouTube TV: This plan costs $64.99 per month and includes access to over 85 channels, cloud DVR, and multi-device support.
- YouTube TV Add-ons: This plan costs $10.99 per month and includes additional channels like HBO, Showtime, and Starz.
To choose your plan, follow these steps:
- Go to the YouTube TV website (tv.youtube.com)
- Click on the “Settings” icon (represented by a gear)
- Click on the “Membership” tab
- Click on the “Change Plan” button
- Choose your plan and click on the “Save” button
How to Watch YouTube TV
Now that you’ve subscribed to YouTube TV, let’s take a look at how to watch it.
Watching on a TV
To watch YouTube TV on a TV, you’ll need a streaming device like a Google Chromecast, Apple TV, or Roku. Here’s how to set it up:
- Connect your streaming device to your TV
- Download the YouTube TV app from the app store
- Launch the app and sign in with your Google account credentials
- Start watching your favorite shows
Watching on a Mobile Device
To watch YouTube TV on a mobile device, you’ll need to download the YouTube TV app. Here’s how to set it up:
- Download the YouTube TV app from the app store
- Launch the app and sign in with your Google account credentials
- Start watching your favorite shows
Watching on a Computer
To watch YouTube TV on a computer, you can use the YouTube TV website. Here’s how to set it up:
- Go to the YouTube TV website (tv.youtube.com)
- Sign in with your Google account credentials
- Start watching your favorite shows
YouTube TV Add-ons
In addition to the standard YouTube TV plan, there are several add-ons available. These add-ons include:
- HBO: This add-on costs $14.99 per month and includes access to HBO’s library of content.
- Showtime: This add-on costs $10.99 per month and includes access to Showtime’s library of content.
- Starz: This add-on costs $8.99 per month and includes access to Starz’s library of content.
To add an add-on to your YouTube TV subscription, follow these steps:
- Go to the YouTube TV website (tv.youtube.com)
- Click on the “Settings” icon (represented by a gear)
- Click on the “Membership” tab
- Click on the “Add-ons” tab
- Choose your add-on and click on the “Add” button
YouTube TV vs. Other Streaming Services
YouTube TV is just one of many streaming services available. Here’s how it compares to some of the other popular services:
- Sling TV: Sling TV is a live TV streaming service that offers a range of channels, including ESPN, CNN, and HGTV. It costs $30 per month and doesn’t include cloud DVR.
- AT&T TV Now: AT&T TV Now is a live TV streaming service that offers a range of channels, including HBO, Showtime, and Starz. It costs $50 per month and includes cloud DVR.
- Hulu with Live TV: Hulu with Live TV is a live TV streaming service that offers a range of channels, including ESPN, CNN, and HGTV. It costs $54.99 per month and includes cloud DVR.
| Service | Price | Channels | Cloud DVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV | $64.99 per month | Over 85 channels | Yes |
| Sling TV | $30 per month | Over 30 channels | No |
| AT&T TV Now | $50 per month | Over 45 channels | Yes |
| Hulu with Live TV | $54.99 per month | Over 60 channels | Yes |
Conclusion
YouTube TV is a great option for anyone looking for a flexible and affordable way to watch their favorite shows. With its range of channels, cloud DVR, and multi-device support, it’s a great alternative to traditional cable TV. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily subscribe to YouTube TV and start streaming your favorite shows in no time.
What is YouTube TV and how does it work?
YouTube TV is a streaming service that allows users to watch live TV, sports, and news, as well as record shows and movies to watch later. It works by providing access to a range of TV channels, including major networks, cable channels, and local stations, which can be streamed over the internet to a variety of devices, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and streaming devices.
YouTube TV uses cloud-based DVR technology, which means that users can record shows and movies without the need for a physical DVR device. This allows users to watch their recorded content from anywhere, at any time, as long as they have an internet connection. Additionally, YouTube TV offers a range of features, including the ability to create up to six individual accounts, each with its own personalized recommendations and DVR storage.
What channels are available on YouTube TV?
YouTube TV offers a wide range of channels, including major networks such as ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX, as well as cable channels like ESPN, CNN, and HGTV. It also includes local stations, sports networks, and news channels. Additionally, YouTube TV offers a range of add-on channels, including premium networks like HBO and Showtime, which can be added to a user’s subscription for an additional fee.
The exact channels available on YouTube TV may vary depending on the user’s location, as some channels may only be available in certain areas. However, YouTube TV offers a channel lineup that is comparable to traditional cable or satellite TV, making it a viable alternative for users who want to cut the cord and switch to streaming.
How much does YouTube TV cost?
The cost of YouTube TV varies depending on the user’s location and the channels they want to subscribe to. The base price of YouTube TV is around $65 per month, which includes access to a range of channels, including major networks, cable channels, and local stations. However, users can also add premium channels and add-ons to their subscription, which can increase the cost.
It’s worth noting that YouTube TV offers a free trial period, which allows users to try out the service before committing to a paid subscription. This can be a great way to test out the service and see if it’s right for you. Additionally, YouTube TV offers a range of promotions and discounts, especially for new users, so it’s worth checking the website for any available deals.
What devices can I use to watch YouTube TV?
YouTube TV can be watched on a range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and streaming devices. This includes devices like Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, and Android TV, as well as smartphones and tablets running the Android or iOS operating systems. Users can also watch YouTube TV on their computer by visiting the YouTube TV website.
In order to watch YouTube TV on a device, users will need to download the YouTube TV app, which is available from the app store on most devices. Once the app is installed, users can sign in with their YouTube TV account and start watching their favorite shows and channels. YouTube TV also offers a range of features, including the ability to cast content from a mobile device to a TV, making it easy to watch on a big screen.
Can I record shows and movies on YouTube TV?
Yes, YouTube TV allows users to record shows and movies using its cloud-based DVR technology. This means that users can record content without the need for a physical DVR device, and can watch their recorded content from anywhere, at any time, as long as they have an internet connection. Users can record individual episodes or entire series, and can also set up recurring recordings to ensure they never miss an episode of their favorite show.
YouTube TV offers unlimited DVR storage, which means that users can record as much content as they want without running out of space. Recorded content is stored in the cloud for up to nine months, after which it is automatically deleted. Users can also download recorded content to their mobile device for offline viewing, making it easy to watch on the go.
Can I share my YouTube TV subscription with others?
Yes, YouTube TV allows users to share their subscription with others. Each YouTube TV subscription can have up to six individual accounts, each with its own personalized recommendations and DVR storage. This means that users can share their subscription with family members or roommates, and each person can have their own individual account.
Users can add or remove accounts from their subscription at any time, and can also control what content is available to each account. For example, parents can restrict access to certain channels or content for their children’s accounts. This makes YouTube TV a great option for households with multiple users who want to share a single subscription.
How do I cancel my YouTube TV subscription?
Canceling a YouTube TV subscription is easy and can be done at any time. Users can cancel their subscription by visiting the YouTube TV website and signing in to their account. From there, they can click on the “Settings” icon and select “Membership” to view their subscription options. Users can then click on the “Cancel membership” button to cancel their subscription.
It’s worth noting that canceling a YouTube TV subscription will not delete the user’s YouTube account, and users will still be able to access their YouTube account and watch free content on the YouTube website. Additionally, users can restart their YouTube TV subscription at any time if they change their mind or want to reactivate their account.