YouTube TV is rolling out to 95 markets starting today, covering 98 percent of households in the United States. The remainder will follow shortly thereafter.
Will it be in your area? YouTube has a FAQ that lists where YouTube TV will be available as of January 23, 2019. The same FAQ page shows the full list of available channels.
YouTube TV includes:
- Over 60 networks, such as ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC. Plus, popular cable networks like TNT, TBS, CNN, ESPN, FX and on-demand programming
- A cloud DVR with no storage space limits. This enables subscribers to record live TV and never run out of storage space. Also, you can record shows simultaneously without using data or space on your device.
- The ability to watch YouTube TV on any screen – mobile devices, tablets, computers and TVs
- accounts per household. Every YouTube TV membership comes with six accounts, each with its own unique recommendations and a personal DVR with no storage space limits
- Half the cost of cable with zero commitments. A YouTube TV membership is only $40 a month and there are no commitments – you can cancel anytime.
Personally, I think anything that gives people the ability to drop their cable subscription is a good thing. YouTube TV is definitely going to be competition for the cable TV companies. Ideally, this will influence those cable companies to be better. If not… there’s still YouTube TV.
YouTube TV is clearly pitching itself as a great place to watch the Super Bowl. I think this will provide a “trial by fire” test for YouTube TV. Will things go smoothly for viewers, or will there be lag and connection drops because of the number of people trying to watch the game?