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What's the difference between YouTube and YouTube TV?

Author

Mia Kelly

Published Jan 10, 2026

In general, YouTube Premium is a separate membership from YouTube TV. However, if you're both a YouTube Premium and YouTube TV member, you can watch your favorite YouTube videos on YouTube TV ads-free. You will still see ads on live and recorded TV shows. Learn more about ads on YouTube TV.

Is YouTube TV the same as YouTube?

YouTube TV now boasts more than 85 channels, including the four major national broadcasters — ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox. (Like all streaming services, what's actually available where you live may vary a tad.) Despite the name, YouTube TV is not a part of YouTube; Google operates them as separate entities.

What is the downside of YouTube TV?

The main downsides are the service's price and limited RSN coverage. As with any live TV service, you still have to deal with the annoyances of cable television, such as ads during live TV and potential streaming resolution limitations by the broadcast networks.

Is YouTube TV really free?

For $65 per month, a YouTube TV subscription provides access to more than 85 popular broadcast and cable channels. There is no contract or cable box required. You can stream content live or on demand from your television, phone, tablet or computer.

Is YouTube TV a different app than YouTube?

YouTube and YouTube TV exist as separate apps, and while the YouTube TV contract expired and the app was taken off the Roku store, the YouTube contract does not expire until December. Since the YouTube app is still running, Google was able to quickly shove YouTube TV functionality into it.

17 related questions found

Is YouTube TV free with Amazon Prime?

To answer your question, YouTube TV is not free with Amazon Prime. YouTube TV comes with a free trial version for one week. After the first week, you need to start paying for the subscription. As per today's offer(6/28/2021)The first 3 months price is $54.99 and thereafter it will be 64.99.

What does YouTube TV include?

YouTube TV lets you stream live & local sports, news, shows from 70+ channels including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, HGTV, TNT, and more. Local and regional programming is also provided with YouTube TV, offering complete local network coverage in over 98% of US TV households.

Can I cancel YouTube TV anytime?

You can cancel or pause your YouTube TV membership at any time. When you cancel or pause your membership, you'll still have access to YouTube TV until the end of your payment period. Canceling YouTube TV does not immediately remove your access to the service unless you are in a free trial.

Is YouTube TV free with Firestick?

The service is easy to access for Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire Stick users, but new subscribers will need to sign up via a web browser on a separate device. YouTube TV costs $49.99/mo. but comes with a seven-day free trial that enables users to try the service before they buy it.

Can you skip commercials on YouTube TV?

Can you skip commercials on YouTube TV? YouTube TV's DVR allows users to skip ads on NBC, FOX, and others.

Does YouTube TV need a box?

You don't need a cable box or any other equipment. All you need is the YouTube TV app and access to the internet. First of all, you can watch YouTube TV on a mobile device or your computer. No matter where you are, you can access the app on your smartphone or tablet.

Does Smart TV need YouTube TV?

You don't need a smart TV to use Chromecast—you can simply plug a small device into an HDMI port on your TV and "cast" YouTube from your phone, tablet, or computer. To use a Chromecast, you'll need: A TV with an available HDMI port.

Why is YouTube TV so expensive?

Mohan reiterated that the price increases for YouTube TV are due to adding channels but stressed that the additions were driven by user demand. “Users have asked for that content to be explicitly added to the bundle as it exists on YouTube TV. So that's what you've seen there,” he said.

Do you get YouTube Premium with YouTube TV?

YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service with major broadcast and popular cable networks. YouTube Premium, gives you YouTube and YouTube Music ad-free, offline, and in the background. YouTube Premium isn't included in your YouTube TV membership.

How many tvs can you have on YouTube TV?

You can use YouTube TV on up to three devices at the same time. Note that watching YouTube TV on a computer and a mobile device at the same time counts as two of the three available devices.

Does YouTube TV have a 30 day free trial?

So, does YouTube TV have a 30-day free trial? No. Standard users can only get a seven days trial. While this is a normal practice in most platforms offering on-demand content, a week may not enough to decide whether the platform is worth a subscription or not.

Is YouTube TV free on Roku?

You can download and watch the YouTube TV app on multiple devices, such as a Roku or a mobile device. Is YouTube TV Free? No, YouTube TV is not free. It costs $64.99 per month, but you can cancel anytime.

Is Hulu or YouTube TV better?

Your choice between the two comes down to channel selection, usability and content, and in our book YouTube TV bests Hulu Plus Live TV in most of those areas. Hulu enables you to integrate a wide channel selection with its exemplary on-demand library which may be worth it for some.

Why can't I cancel my YouTube TV subscription?

To cancel your YouTube TV subscription on an Android device, open the app and sign in. Then tap your profile icon and go to Settings > Membership > Cancel Membership. Finally, select a reason for leaving and tap Continue Canceling > Cancel Membership.

Does YouTube TV charge for free trial?

You may see a charge after signing up for a free trial if you weren't eligible. Only first-time subscribers are eligible for free trials. If this is your first time signing up for a free trial, you may be seeing an authorization hold, not a charge. These authorizations happen so YouTube can make sure the card is valid.

How can I get YouTube TV for free?

The process of signing up for a YouTube TV free trial is pretty straightforward. To sign up through your desktop or mobile browser, head over to the YouTube TV homepage and click on the Try It Free button. Choose the Google account you want to use and submit your zip code. Next, click on Start Free Trial at the prompt.

Is the Hallmark Channel on YouTube TV?

The Hallmark Channel is available on Philo, Sling TV, Frndly TV, Hallmark Movies Now, and fuboTV. Just recently, YouTube TV added the Hallmark Channel to its lineup.

Can I get Hallmark channel with YouTube TV?

YouTube TV added Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, and Hallmark Drama in November 2021. The trio of Hallmark channels are available in its channel lineup for $64.99 per month. YouTube TV provides: access to Hallmark Channel, Local Network Channels, and over 70 other channels.

How can I watch live TV for free?

Best free live TV streaming services

  1. Pluto TV—Most free live news, hundreds of free content channels.
  2. Tubi—50,000+ free shows and movies, free live news and sports channels.
  3. Sling Free—ABC News, CBS News, and Newsy plus dozens of free content channels.
  4. Roku Channel—Good variety of free content, free live news channels.