YouTube TV price increase: what changed, what’s next and cheaper alternatives
The Base Plan has cost $82.99 since December 2024, and YouTube hasn’t announced another increase. If the price is already too high, here is how to lower it or what to switch to.
YouTube TV last raised its price in December 2024, from $72.99 to $82.99 a month, and existing members moved to the new price in January 2025. As of Oct 30, 2026, no new increase has been announced. To pay less without leaving, switch to a genre plan (from $54.99) or pause during the off-season. To leave, Sling TV ($45.99) and Philo ($25) cost the least, and an antenna gets local channels free. Compare all options in the best live TV streaming services.
Price history comes from YouTube TV announcements and the reporting listed under Sources. Competitor prices are list prices reported in October 2026, before taxes and fees.
Every YouTube TV price increase
| Date | Base Plan | Change |
|---|---|---|
| April 2017 | $35 | Launch |
| March 2018 | $40 | +$5 |
| April 2019 | $49.99 | +$10 |
| July 2020 | $64.99 | +$15 |
| March 2023 | $72.99 | +$8 |
| December 2024 | $82.99 | +$10 |
New members paid the new price on the date shown; existing members switched a few weeks later.
That is five increases in under eight years, adding $48 a month, or 137%. Each followed new carriage deals with the networks, which charge YouTube TV more per subscriber over time.
Is another increase coming?
None has been announced. YouTube renewed its deals with Disney and NBCUniversal in late 2025, and The Desk reported at the time that an increase was expected to follow. Instead, YouTube launched cheaper genre plans in February 2026 and kept the Base Plan at $82.99. YouTube TV is month to month with no price lock, so it can raise prices with notice; past increases were announced by email and on its blog a few weeks ahead.
Ways to pay less without leaving
- Switch to a genre plan. Existing members can downgrade under Settings > Membership. Sports is $64.99 and Entertainment $54.99, saving $18 to $28 a month. See every combination in the YouTube TV price guide.
- Pause in the off-season. You can pause for up to six months and keep your recordings.
- Drop 4K Plus ($9.99) if you don’t watch 4K events.
- Cancel and rejoin later. New-member offers sometimes return; past offers have cut $10 to $23 a month for three to five months.
- Check your carrier perks. Some phone and internet plans discount streaming; see internet and phone bundle discounts.
Cheaper alternatives to YouTube TV
| Service | From | Local channels | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philo | $25 | No | Entertainment and lifestyle channels, no sports |
| Sling TV | $45.99 | Few markets | ESPN or TNT for less |
| YouTube TV genre plan | $54.99 | Yes | Staying on YouTube TV for less |
| DIRECTV | $89.99 | Yes | Regional sports on Choice and up |
| Hulu + Live TV | $99.99 | Yes | Households that want Disney+ and Hulu too |
| Antenna | One-time cost | Yes | Free locals where signals reach |
List prices reported Oct 2026. Fubo varies by plan and adds a regional sports fee of $3.99 to $16.99.
If you mostly watch football, our guide to watching the NFL without cable lists the cheapest way to see every game. Before switching, read our full YouTube TV review to see what you would give up, such as the unlimited DVR.
How to cancel YouTube TV
On a phone or computer, open your profile picture, then Settings > Membership, and choose Cancel. You keep access until the end of the billing period. Choose Pause instead if you plan to come back; it keeps your recordings and settings.
Common questions
Is YouTube TV raising its price in 2026?
No increase has been announced as of Oct 30, 2026. The Base Plan has been $82.99 a month since December 2024.
When was the last YouTube TV price increase?
December 2024 for new members, when the Base Plan went from $72.99 to $82.99. Existing members moved to $82.99 in January 2025.
How much has YouTube TV gone up since launch?
From $35 a month in 2017 to $82.99, five increases totaling $48, or 137%.
What is the cheapest alternative to YouTube TV?
Philo at $25 a month, though it has no sports or local channels. Sling TV starts at $45.99 and includes ESPN or TNT depending on the plan.
Can I lower my YouTube TV bill without canceling?
Yes. Switch to a genre plan under Settings > Membership, drop add-ons like 4K Plus, or pause during months you don’t watch.
- YouTube TV plan and membership pages, tv.youtube.com, checked Oct 30, 2026
- Variety, "YouTube TV Reveals Pricing, Channels for Lower-Cost Packages," Feb 9, 2026
- TechCrunch, YouTube TV price increase to $72.99, Mar 16, 2023; Streaming Price Tracker, "YouTube TV Price History," Oct 2026
- The Desk, "YouTube TV to introduce lower-price, genre-based packages in 2026," Dec 2025
- Jolt Journal, "YouTube TV Plans and Pricing in 2026," Oct 2026 ($82.99 effective Dec 12, 2024)
- BestGuide, "Best Live TV Streaming Services of 2026," Oct 2026; Plume, "IPTV Subscription Price Index," Oct 2026 (competitor prices, Fubo fees)
Prices and offers change often; confirm at your address before you order. How we research
Jean founded ShopHighSpeed after trying to find one straight answer about business internet in his own town. He has been a Comcast and Verizon Fios customer, and ranks providers on what they actually deliver, not on what they advertise.