YouTube TV Plans 2026: Every New Package, Price, and Channel Lineup Explained
Quick answer: YouTube TV launched 10+ genre-based plans in February 2026, priced from $44.99 to $71.99/mo. The Base plan remains at $82.99. Here is what each plan includes and how they compare to Hulu + Live TV.
Why YouTube TV Changed Its Pricing
Since launching in 2017, YouTube TV offered a single all-inclusive plan. As the price rose from $35 to $82.99, subscribers increasingly complained about paying for channels they never watched. Sports-only viewers did not want to subsidise entertainment channels, and entertainment viewers did not want to pay for ESPN.
Budget services like Sling TV ($40/mo) and Philo ($28/mo) proved there was demand for cheaper, focused packages. YouTube TV responded with genre-based plans that let viewers choose their channels and pay accordingly. This is the most significant pricing change in the live TV streaming market since its inception.
For Hulu + Live TV subscribers, this changes the competitive landscape significantly. For the first time, YouTube TV can undercut Hulu on price for viewers who do not need every channel.
Every YouTube TV Plan Compared
Sports Plan
$54.99/mo (new)$64.99/mo (existing)Key Channels Included
ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, CBS Sports Network, NFL Network, NBA TV, MLB Network, NHL Network, Golf Channel, Tennis Channel, Big Ten Network, SEC Network, ACC Network, TNT, TBS
What You Lose vs Base
Entertainment channels (Bravo, HGTV, TLC, MTV, AMC), news channels (CNN, Fox News, MSNBC), lifestyle (Food Network, Discovery), kids (Disney Channel, Nickelodeon)
Best For
Viewers who primarily watch live sports and nothing else. NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and college sports fans who can live without entertainment and news channels.
Entertainment Plan
$44.99/mo (new)$54.99/mo (existing)Key Channels Included
AMC, Bravo, Comedy Central, Discovery, E!, Food Network, HGTV, MTV, Paramount Network, Syfy, TLC, Travel Channel, TV Land, USA Network, VH1, WE tv, OWN, Lifetime Movie Network
What You Lose vs Base
Sports networks (ESPN, Fox Sports, NFL Network), news channels (CNN, Fox News, MSNBC), some kids channels
Best For
Viewers who watch reality TV, scripted drama, cooking shows, and home improvement programming. Best value if you do not follow sports or daily news.
News + Entertainment + Family Plan
$59.99/mo (new)$69.99/mo (existing)Key Channels Included
CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, CNBC, BBC America, HLN, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr, Cartoon Network, PBS, Bravo, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Discovery, AMC
What You Lose vs Base
Sports networks (ESPN, Fox Sports, NFL Network, CBS Sports Network)
Best For
Families with children who watch news and want kids channels but do not follow sports. Covers news, entertainment, and children's programming in one package.
Sports + News Plan
$56.99/mo (new)$71.99/mo (existing)Key Channels Included
ESPN, ESPN2, Fox Sports 1, CBS Sports Network, NFL Network, NBA TV, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, CNBC, BBC America, HLN, TNT, TBS
What You Lose vs Base
Entertainment channels (Bravo, HGTV, MTV, Comedy Central), lifestyle (Food Network, Discovery), some kids channels
Best For
Sports fans who also follow daily news. Covers live sports and 24-hour news networks without entertainment and lifestyle channels.
Base Plan (All Channels)
$82.99/moThe original all-inclusive plan remains available. Includes every channel from every genre: 100+ total. If you watch sports, news, entertainment, and kids programming, the Base plan is still the best value since combining multiple genre plans typically costs more.
YouTube TV Genre Plans vs Hulu + Live TV
| Scenario | YouTube TV Option | Hulu + Live TV | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sports only | $54.99 (Sports Plan) | $82.99 | YouTube TV saves $28/mo |
| Entertainment only | $44.99 (Entertainment Plan) | $82.99 | YouTube TV saves $38/mo |
| News + family | $59.99 (News+Ent+Family) | $82.99 | YouTube TV saves $23/mo |
| Everything | $82.99 (Base) | $82.99 | Same price, but Hulu bundles Disney+/ESPN+ |
The genre plans give YouTube TV a clear price advantage for focused viewers. But Hulu still wins when you factor in the bundled Disney+ ($9.99 value) and ESPN+ ($11.99 value) at the all-channels tier. Use our cost calculator to find your optimal plan.
Who Should Choose Each Plan
If you only watch sports...
The YouTube TV Sports plan at $54.99/mo is the clear winner. You get ESPN, Fox Sports, CBS Sports, NFL Network, and all major sports channels at $28 less than Hulu. Add Sports Plus ($10.99) for RedZone. Total: $65.98 vs Hulu's $82.99.
If you watch everything...
Stick with Hulu + Live TV ($82.99) or YouTube TV Base ($82.99). At the same price, Hulu bundles Disney+ and ESPN+, making it better value for viewers who consume live TV plus on-demand content.
If you want the cheapest option...
The YouTube TV Entertainment plan at $44.99/mo is the lowest price point between these services. It covers AMC, Bravo, HGTV, MTV, and more. No sports or news, but great for scripted TV and reality fans.
If you have kids and follow news...
YouTube TV's News + Entertainment + Family plan ($59.99) covers Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, PBS, CNN, and Fox News. Saves $23/mo vs Hulu. But you lose ESPN+ kids content and Disney+ shows that come bundled with Hulu.
YouTube TV Plans FAQ
When did YouTube TV launch genre-based plans?
Do YouTube TV genre plans include the same DVR and features?
Can I add channels to a genre plan?
Is the Entertainment plan really enough to replace cable?
Updated 9 April 2026. YouTube TV plan details sourced from tv.youtube.com.