Skip to main content

YouTube TV increases its monthly prices by $8 – is now the time to switch?

YouTube TV has raised the price of its monthly subscription by $8, from $65 to $73. The move comes on the heels of its announcement that it will be adding a multiview feature for sports channels. The change in price will hit current subscribers on April 18, however, the streaming service, which is owned by Google, has already started charging new customers the higher price.

YouTube TV on Apple TV.
Phil Nickinson/Digital Trends

It’s been a while since YouTube TV last raised its prices. That was in 2020, when the streaming service increased subscriptions from $50 to $65. When the service first launched in 2017, it only cost $35 per month.

Recommended Videos

Current subscribers will see the price changes beginning on April 18, while new subscribers will begin at the new price points. Those on promotional or trial plans will not see those discounts changed.

It’s not all bad news. If you value the addition of 4K resolution, YouTube TV has actually lowered the price of that add-on by 50%: 4K Plus is now just $10 per month, instead of $20. If you’re new to the 4K Plus plan, your first year is just $5 per month.

Why the increase in prices? “As content costs have risen and we continue to invest in the quality of our service, we are updating our price to keep bringing you the best possible service,” an email to subscribers said, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

It’s impossible to ignore the fact that some of those increased costs must be associated with YouTube TV’s recent acquisition of the rights to the NFL’s Sunday Ticket games. Coverage of those games begins in the fall, but pricing for the add-on has yet to be determined.

If this price increase feels like it puts YouTube TV out of contention for your choice of live TV streaming, check out our guide to the best YouTube TV alternatives.

Simon Cohen
Contributing Editor, A/V
Simon Cohen is a contributing editor to Digital Trends' Audio/Video section, where he obsesses over the latest wireless…
Sling TV vs. Hulu + Live TV: which live TV streamer should you choose?
Sling TV vs. Hulu + Live TV.

Choosing a streaming service isn’t as straightforward as it once was. With the leading streaming services offering a blend of classic favorites and new original content, viewers have more options than ever. Hulu + Live TV and Sling TV provide an excellent experience among the numerous live TV streaming services.

While both may feature the channels you want at a price you’re willing to pay, they each have their own advantages. Sling TV is noticeably the more affordable option, offering a variety of add-ons to its channels, allowing for some customization of your viewing experience. Conversely, Hulu + Live TV has a key advantage due to the bundles it offers.

Read more
Hulu + Live TV vs. YouTube TV: how to pick the best live-streaming service
The Hulu home screen on a TV.

If you’re having trouble choosing the best live TV streaming service for your needs, we don’t blame you — viewers today have more choices than ever. Whether you're looking for a big on-demand content library or a reliable live TV streaming platform, there's no shortage of solid options to explore.

Two of the most popular choices — YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV — stand out for their reasonable pricing, similar features, and strong channel lineups. But when it comes down to it, which one should you pick?

Read more
Philo is now available on LG smart TVs
A promo image of Philo on an LG TV.

Philo is one of the least expensive live-streaming services out there. LG makes some of the most popular smart TVs. And now you get the former directly on the latter, without any additional hardware. In other words, there's now a Philo app available on LG smart TVs.

Philo sports 75 linear channels — and this year added AMC+ — for just $28 a month. So while you get around half as many channels as its competitors, you're also paying a fraction of the monthly fee. Old-timers will recognize that it's definitely more expensive than it used to be, having started at $16 a month, but it's also far less than what you'll pay for the likes of YouTube TV or Hulu With Live TV, and it's even less expensive than the most basic Sling package.

Read more