YouTube TV Review: Is the platform worth subscribing to? (2023)

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Imagine: you have just poured yourself a (large) glass of wine and are slowly sinking into the cushions of the sofa. Maybe there's a bowl of popcorn on the coffee table that needs to be emptied. No matter what snack you're preparing, you know that a simple press of the power button on your TV remote control is all it takes to melt away the stress of the day. Now for the big question...what will you see?

NetflixÖHallomight seem like the obvious answers, but have you thought about it?YouTube television? The service offers live TV,sports coverage, and on-demand TV shows and movies from over 85 channels at a much cheaper price than many traditional cable TV packages, I might add.

Given the amount ofStreaming Servicesavailable now, it's understandable if you're hesitant to subscribe to another one. But as I found out while testing the streamer (which required hours of watching all kinds of programs), YouTube TV has something for everyone and after reading this review it could become your favorite entertainment center.

YouTube TV offers more than 85 channels, from traditional broadcasters like ABC and CBS to kid-friendly offerings (Disney, Nickelodeon, etc.) and sports options (including four channels from ESPN). There's a mix of live and on-demand programming from each network — the service even gave me movie suggestions based on my interests and shared upcoming seasons so I could record movies to watch later.

If yousubscribe to youtube tv, the service will ask you to select some of your favorite shows, which will be added to your library and set to record future episodes. I really appreciated this feature because I immediately felt like I was getting a personalized experience. As a huge fan of reality shows, I picked shows likeThe real single housewives of Beverly Hills,miSailing yacht below deckrecord automatically.

I also found it very easy to navigate the wide variety of content. Users can filter by dozens of genres, search for specific titles, and switch between the platform's home screen, live channels, and their personal library.

Despite my initial disappointment that there isn't an ad-free version of YouTube TV, I've found that you can skip the ads if you really want to skip them Pause the stream for a few minutes, then fast-forward through the announcements to catch up with the live stream.

ÖGround planincludes sports channels affiliated with broadcast networks such as CBS Sports and NBC Sports, as well as TNT and TBS for select NBA, NHL and MLB games. Subscribers also have access to the ESPN family of channels, the Olympic Channel and Fight Network.

Avid sports fans can purchase the Sports Plus add-on for an additional $10.99 per month, which unlocks over a dozen additional channels including NFL RedZone, Fox Soccer Plus and beIN SPORTS, a channel covering international sports. For users who are particularly interested in Latin American leagues, the Spanish Plus add-on ($14.99 per month) also offers live sports.

However, if you're looking for local sports coverage, YouTube TV isn't the platform for you. Depending on your zip code, you may have access to some of the regional NBC Sports networks, but this is not guaranteed.

YouTube TV offers a free trial, but it only lasts five days (note: period may vary during promotional periods). I figured that wasn't enough time to test out all the features, but the platform still has an edge over Hulu + Live TV in that users can't test the service before committing to a full month.

Overall, I was impressed with YouTube TV's layout, which is similar to Netflix in terms of content rating. As someone who has tried a number of different streaming platforms, I found YouTube TV easier to use than Hulu and Amazon Prime Video. Even though I opted for the free trial, I was able to personalize my dashboard by sharing the kind of shows and movies I like.

Finally, you should use the free trial to see if YouTube TV deals meet your needs. Everything I watch regularly is available on the platform, so it's worth the price to me. But everyone has different preferences, so start your free trial for a week where you can really explore all the programs available.

Basic YouTube TV plancosts $64.99 per month, but new subscribers get a total discount of $30 for the first three months, bringing the cost down to $54.99 per month. New users who sign up for the Spanish plan also get a discount, unlike the Spanish Plus add-on, paying $24.99 per month for the first six months before the price increases to $34.99 per month.

The supplements have the following prices:

The best part? YouTube doesn't lock you into a long-term contract, so you can change or cancel your membership at any time without penalty.

popular platform4K Plus-Add-onEnhance your viewing experience with select live and on-demand shows with 4K ultra high definition playback. Subscribers also get unlimited simulcasts at home and can watch recordings offline on a phone or tablet using the mobile app.

While I haven't tested this plugin, it's clear that the feature is aimed at families who want to watch different shows on multiple devices at the same time. The basic plan allows for three simultaneous streams. So if the 4K aspect isn't that important to you, you might not even need the add-on.

4K Plus comes with a 30-day free trial and costs $14.99 per month for the first 12 months (note: prices may vary during promotional periods). After a year, the price increases to $19.99 per month.

I'm happy to report that the free downloadable YouTube TV app also offers a great viewing experience. Like other streaming platforms, YouTube syncs all your devices. So if you pause a show on your TV, you can pick up where you left off on your phone or tablet. The app highlights upcoming recordings and has a curated Top Picks for You section at the top of the home screen for you to browse live options.

I had no issues with the app during my free trial, but some App Store reviewers have complained about functionality, including audio issues, random crashes, and tracking issues. The app currently has 3.8 stars out of 5Appstoreand 4.2 stars from 5 inGoogle Play.

As a first line of defense, YouTube TV offers its customers aonline databaseThis is packed with resources for frequently asked questions like "How do I change my settings?" If you can't find what you're looking for in the hub, members of the support team are available 24/7 via phone, email, and online chat. We hope you never stop seeing who got the last rose.The bachelor, when the Ave Maria Pass has been picked up, or when a doctor was happy to come inGreys Anatomyintervened.

YouTube TV is often compared to Hulu + Live TVsince both platforms offer live TV options. And while they share some similar features, there are some key differences to consider when deciding which service to spend money on each month.

First, let's talk about the price. Hulu's cheapest live TV plan costs $69.99 per month, $5 more than YouTube's basic TV plan ($15 more if you factor in YouTube's three-month discount). Unlike YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV doesn't offer a free trial; So not only are you spending more, but you're also committing to paying for at least a full month. But Hulu bundles its live TV services with Disney+ and ESPN+, appealing to families and sports fans alike. Here's a breakdown of each streamer's live TV plans and add-ons.

When it comes to channels, YouTube TV has over 85 (that you can check outHere) during Hulu + Live TVoffers 75+, including a handful of local channels. Both platforms come with unlimited DVR storage and do not require an annual contract. You can cancel at any time.

Hulu + Live TV offers two simultaneous streams in its basic plan, while YouTube TV offers three, but an add-on for unlimited screens costs less with Hulu + Live TV, making it a better value for families who want to stream on multiple devices .

Personally, I liked the wide range of YouTube TV channels for live and on-demand programming, and I really appreciated the personalized recommendations. but one meAs a matter of factWhat he didn't like was the lack of an ad-free option. As someone with a busy schedule, I hate seeing commercials, so if you feel the same way,the "ad-free" version of Hulu + Live TVmight be worth the extra money. I also missed the original content that Hulu and Netflix often produce.

Ultimately, YouTube TV is a budget-friendly platform that allows for reasonable customization through plugins.

To provide comprehensive and unbiased reviews, our writers test each of the featured streaming services. Whenever possible we test platforms with a free trial, but pay for a subscription if no trial period is offered.

Comparing each service to its competitors is an important part of the research process so we can help readers make the wisest purchasing decisions. Our research team collected data on more than 40 different channels, which allowed us to compare and contrast platform features, prices, available channels and more.

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