YouTube TV vs YouTube Premium: Key Differences

Choosing between YouTube TV and YouTube Premium feels like deciding between a full cable replacement and a simple upgrade to the platform you already use. The catch? They are separate subscriptions, and one doesn’t include the other.

YouTube TV monthly price: $82.99 (as of Dec. 2024)  YouTube Premium monthly price: $13.99  YouTube TV channels: 100+  YouTube Premium subscribers: Over 100 million (including trials, 2023)

Two services, one pattern: YouTube TV replaces cable with live channels and DVR, while YouTube Premium removes ads and unlocks music streaming. Here’s how they stack up on the essentials.

What’s the difference between YouTube TV and YouTube Premium?

Core features of YouTube TV

• Live TV streaming with over 100 channels including local broadcast networks
• Unlimited cloud DVR storage (recordings kept for 9 months)
• Up to 6 accounts per household, each with its own DVR and recommendations
• Includes sports networks (ESPN, Fox Sports, etc.) and news channels

Core features of YouTube Premium

• Ad-free playback on all YouTube videos
• Background play (audio continues when you switch apps) and offline downloads
• YouTube Music Premium included with no extra cost
• Access to YouTube Originals (limited catalog)

Price comparison

Three price points, one clear divide: YouTube TV costs six times more than YouTube Premium. But the value proposition is completely different.

The catch: YouTube TV’s family plan is baked into the base price, while YouTube Premium charges extra for families. For a single user, YouTube Premium is a fraction of the cost.

Do I still need YouTube Premium if I have YouTube TV?

YouTube TV’s ad limitations on YouTube content

If you have YouTube TV, you can watch YouTube videos through the YouTube TV app or the main YouTube app—but ads will still play. YouTube Premium is the only way to remove those ads.

Overlapping benefits

• YouTube Premium offers background playback and downloads—features YouTube TV lacks entirely
• Both services are separate subscriptions and cannot replace each other

The trade-off: For heavy YouTube viewers, Premium adds real convenience. For casual viewers, the $13.99/month may not be worth it.

Is there a YouTube TV and YouTube Premium bundle?

Current bundling options

As of 2024, there is no official bundle that includes both YouTube TV and YouTube Premium at a discount. Each service must be subscribed to individually.

Historical bundling

Previously, YouTube TV subscribers received limited access to YouTube Premium originals, but that benefit ended. Google has not announced any plans to reintroduce a bundle.

The pattern: Google treats the two services as distinct products—one for cord-cutters, one for YouTube enthusiasts. A bundle would be logical, but it hasn’t materialized.

Why are people canceling YouTube TV?

Price increases

YouTube TV launched at $35/month in 2017 (Wikipedia). Since then, it has climbed to $82.99/month—a 137% increase. The most recent hike, to $82.99, took effect in December 2024.

Competition and alternative services

• Hulu + Live TV offers a similar channel lineup plus Disney+ and ESPN+ for $76.99/month
• Sling TV starts at $40/month with customizable packages
• DirecTV Stream provides a full channel lineup comparable to YouTube TV

Channel disputes

Loss of channels like MLB Network and regional sports networks has angered subscribers. YouTube TV has had several carriage disputes, leading to channel blackouts.

Why this matters: The price hikes combined with channel losses push subscribers to evaluate alternatives. The churn is real.

The trend suggests that YouTube TV’s subscriber growth may face headwinds.

What’s the best replacement for YouTube TV?

Hulu + Live TV

Hulu + Live TV includes a large on-demand library and Disney bundle options. It offers 90+ live channels and unlimited DVR for $76.99/month.

Sling TV

Sling TV is cheaper and customizable, starting at $40/month. It lacks some local channels but allows you to pick add-on packages.

DirecTV Stream

DirecTV Stream provides a full channel lineup comparable to YouTube TV, with prices starting at $84.99/month. It includes regional sports networks.

Fubo

Fubo focuses on sports but also offers a broad channel lineup, starting at $79.99/month.

The pattern: Each replacement trades off something—price, channel selection, or DVR quality. YouTube TV’s strength is its simplicity and unlimited DVR; its weakness is the rising cost.

Timeline: YouTube TV and YouTube Premium milestones

• 2017: YouTube TV launches at $35/month (Wikipedia)
• 2018: YouTube Premium (originally YouTube Red) rebrands and expands
• 2020: YouTube TV price rises to $64.99
• 2023: YouTube TV price rises to $72.99
• December 2024: YouTube TV price rises to $82.99; no bundle between YouTube TV and YouTube Premium

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• YouTube TV costs $82.99/month as of 2024 (Reddit Cordcutters)
• YouTube Premium costs $13.99/month (Krisp)
• No official bundle exists (Pocket-Lint)
• YouTube TV does not include YouTube Premium (Google Support)
• YouTube TV subscribers still see ads on regular YouTube videos

What’s unclear

• Exact number of current YouTube TV subscribers (Google no longer regularly reports)
• Whether Google will introduce a bundle in the future

What users say about YouTube TV vs YouTube Premium

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.

— YouTube TV official help page

However, if you are a YouTube Premium member, you can watch YouTube content on YouTube TV without ads.

— Reddit user discussion

For the average household, the decision is simple: if you want live TV, get YouTube TV. If you want ad-free YouTube and music, get YouTube Premium. If you want both, be prepared to pay $96.98/month combined. The two services are not competitors—they are complementary, but only if your budget allows.

Frequently asked questions