Skip to main content

How to get the new Chromecast with Google TV for free

Google’s new Chromecast with Google TV is a $50 streaming media player that combines the convenience of a Chromecast device with the full feature set you’d expect from a set-top box like a Roku or a Fire TV.

But one area where it differentiates itself from the other $50 streamers made by Roku, Amazon, and TiVo is its tight integration with Google’s own YouTube TV live TV streaming service. By flipping to the Live tab inside the Google TV interface, you can quickly and seamlessly access all of YouTube TV’s content including the on-screen guide and all of the shows in your DVR.

So it’s not surprising that Google is now using an offer of a free Chromecast with Google TV as a way to lure new subscribers to YouTube TV.

Free Chromecast with Google TV offer on YouTube TV
YouTube

Right now, if you head over to https://tv.youtube.com/welcome/ you’ll be greeted by a pop-up window that says, “Try YouTube TV free, and get a Chromecast on us!”

That sure sounds like you’re not only getting the Chromecast for free, but also YouTube TV for free, but the fine print makes it clear that’s not quite true.

Instead, once you agree to the free trial period for YouTube TV, and make your first monthly payment of $65, then you’ll get the free Chromecast.

Oh, and it’s only valid for first-time YouTube TV subscriptions, something I can verify: When I clicked through to sign up, I wasn’t offered this promotion.

This caveat aside, it’s still a good deal. You’re basically getting a highly desirable streaming media player and one month of YouTube TV (which would normally cost $115, for just $65. And even if you don’t like YouTube TV and decide to cancel after that first payment, the Chromecast is yours to keep.

Is there a catch? The only one we can think of is that the “while supplies last” portion of the offer may not last long. Google has already sold out of all editions of the new Chromecast except for the Snow (white) color.

There’s also something of a wait involved. Signing up gets you immediate access to YouTube TV’s free trial, but to get the free Chromecast, you have to wait until the end of your first month, pay the initial $65 monthly fee, and then you’ll receive an email with a link to redeem your free Chromecast promo code.

Editors' Recommendations

Simon Cohen
Contributing Editor, A/V
Simon Cohen covers a variety of consumer technologies, but has a special interest in audio and video products, like…
Apple TV+ and other Apple One services get a price hike
A hand holding an iPhone with the Apple TV+ and other services in a menu.

Subscribers to Apple TV+ are about to get a big surprise as Apple today raised the price of its Apple TV+ streaming service for the second time in its four-year history, hiking it from $7 to $10 per month. Its annual subscription rate also goes from $69 to $99.

The new prices quietly appeared on the company's website today, but Apple TV+ isn't the only service in its roster to see a price increase: Apple's gaming subscription service, Apple Arcade, has gone from $5 per month to $7 per month and its news subscription, Apple News+ goes from $10 per month to $13 per month. This is the first time either of those services has had their prices increased.

Read more
YouTube TV is still growing on the back of NFL Sunday Ticket
YouTube TV showing NFL games and bowling in multiview.

Not being able to pick your own games means YouTube TV's multiview could get you two NFL games (one twice) ... and bowling. Phil Nickinson / Digital Trends

One of our favorite (and more annoying) games to play is “Which streaming service is the biggest?” And for the most part, we tend to have pretty strong answers. YouTube TV is the biggest, probably. It’s followed by Hulu With Live TV, then Sling TV, and then FuboTV. And DirecTV Stream is way at the back of the pack. Again, probably.

Read more
YouTube rolling out some three-dozen new features this fall
The Digital Trends YouTube channel as seen on an iPhone and on a TV in the background.

The tweaks keep coming to the world's largest video provide. Today YouTube is taking the wraps off some three-dozen (more or less) new features. It's a cross-platform announcement, with the goods hitting phones and tablets, as well as televisions and wherever else you do your YouTube viewing.

Here's what you have to look forward to:

Read more