YouTube TV finally heard everyone complaining about its $83 monthly bill. The streaming service just launched a bunch of cheaper packages that let you pay for only the channels you actually watch.
Starting this week, subscribers can choose from genre-based bundles instead of paying for the bloated base plan. Sports fans, news junkies, and entertainment lovers each get their own options. Plus, every package comes with unlimited DVR and the ability to share with six people.
This matters because streaming bills are spiraling out of control. YouTube TV’s base plan costs more than cable used to. So these targeted packages could save you real money if you’re strategic about what you pick.
Sports Fans Get the Best Deal
The sports package costs $65 monthly, or $55 for new subscribers. That’s a solid discount from the $83 base plan.
What do you get? Every ESPN network, FS1, NBC Sports Network, and later this year, ESPN Unlimited. That covers most major sporting events without paying for cooking shows and reality TV you never watch.
However, there’s a catch. The package doesn’t include regional sports networks in many markets. So if you’re trying to watch your local NBA or MLB team, this might not cut it. You’ll need to check which channels are available in your area before committing.
For casual sports fans who just want national games and highlights, though? This package delivers strong value. Especially compared to paying $83 for channels you scroll past.
News and Entertainment Bundles Cost More
YouTube TV’s offering two other main packages with different focuses.
The entertainment bundle runs $55 monthly. It includes Hallmark, Bravo, Food Network, FX, and similar channels. Good for people who want lifestyle content, cooking shows, and scripted dramas without sports or 24-hour news networks.
Then there’s the news, entertainment and family bundle at $70 per month. This adds CNN, CNBC, Fox News, C-SPAN, Bloomberg, plus kid-friendly channels like Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and Disney Channel.
Notice the pricing gap? Adding news networks bumps the cost by $15 monthly. That’s frustrating because news channels cost providers relatively little compared to sports rights. Yet YouTube TV charges a premium for them anyway.
Still, $70 beats $83 if you don’t care about sports. And families with kids might find value in bundling entertainment with children’s programming.
Sports Plus News Costs $72 Monthly
Want both sports and news? There’s a bundle for that too.
The sports and news package combines everything from the sports bundle with major news networks. Total cost: $72 per month for new customers.
That’s just $7 more than the sports-only package. So if you watch any news programming at all, this bundle makes mathematical sense over picking sports alone.
But here’s the real question: Does anyone actually need 24-hour news channels anymore? Most people get breaking news from their phones. Cable news often fills time with punditry and speculation rather than reporting.
You might save money by taking the sports package and reading news online instead. Just depends on your viewing habits.
Unlimited DVR Sweetens Every Deal
Here’s the good news that applies to all packages: unlimited DVR comes standard.
You can record as much content as you want. No storage limits. No per-show recording fees. Everything saves for nine months before automatically deleting.
Plus, YouTube TV includes its multiview feature, which lets you watch up to four streams simultaneously. Great for sports fans who want to track multiple games at once.
The service also supports six user accounts per subscription. So families or roommates can split costs while maintaining separate profiles and recommendations.
These features used to justify YouTube TV’s high price. Now they’re included even in the cheaper packages. That actually makes these bundles competitive with other streaming services that nickel-and-dime you for DVR space or extra users.
How This Compares to Competitors
YouTube TV isn’t the first to offer skinny bundles. DirecTV launched Genre Packs last year. Sling TV sells day passes and weekend access.
But YouTube TV’s approach feels more polished. The packages include enough channels to actually replace cable, not just supplement it. And unlimited DVR gives YouTube TV an edge over competitors that cap recording at 50 hours or charge extra for more storage.
Sling TV starts at $40 monthly but limits DVR to 50 hours unless you pay $5 more. DirecTV Stream’s cheapest plan runs $80, nearly matching YouTube TV’s base price. Hulu + Live TV costs $83, same as YouTube TV’s full package.
So these new YouTube TV bundles slot into a middle ground. Cheaper than full live TV services, but more comprehensive than bare-bones options like Sling.
The Catch Nobody Mentions
These packages save money only if they actually match what you watch. Most people probably need to combine multiple bundles to get everything they want.
Let’s say you want sports and entertainment. That’s $65 plus $55, totaling $120 monthly. Suddenly you’re paying more than the $83 base plan that includes both.
YouTube TV’s betting you’ll pick just one genre and stick with it. But real viewing habits are messier. Your spouse might want Bravo while you need ESPN. Your kids want Cartoon Network but you also follow politics.
Before canceling the base plan, audit what everyone in your household actually watches. You might discover the full package still makes sense despite costing more upfront.
Rollout Happens Gradually
Not everyone can access these packages yet. YouTube TV started rolling them out this week to existing subscribers. Everyone should see the options within a few weeks.
New customers can sign up immediately for the discounted rates. Current subscribers will need to wait for the option to appear in their account settings.
Once available, you can switch between packages monthly. No annual contracts required. So you could theoretically rotate packages based on what’s in season—sports during football months, entertainment during TV premiere season, news during election years.
That flexibility actually makes these bundles smarter than cable’s rigid tiers. You’re not locked into paying for sports year-round if you only care about football season.
Should You Switch?
These packages make sense for single-focus viewers. Sports-only fans save $18-$28 monthly. People who only watch entertainment channels save $28.
They don’t make sense if you regularly watch multiple genres. Adding packages together gets expensive fast.
Here’s my take: YouTube TV’s base plan was already the best live TV streaming option despite its high price. These new packages just make it accessible to more budgets.
But don’t assume cheaper automatically means better value. Calculate what you actually watch first. Then pick the package that covers 80% of your viewing for the lowest price.
And remember: streaming services change prices constantly. Today’s $55 deal might cost $70 next year. So stay flexible and reassess yearly as your needs and their pricing evolve.
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