YouTube TV is YouTube’s own service that offers the streaming of live TV channels including local sports and news. When it first launched, it cost $34.99 a month which then increased to $39.99 in February 2018 (existing subscribers were grandfathered, however). Starting today, YouTube TV’s monthly pricing is increasing to $49.99 for all subscribers and eight new channels are being added.
Any new user who signs up for YouTube TV now will have to pay the increased price of $49.99. If you’re billed through Apple, you’ll have to pay $54.99 instead. And if you’re an existing user, you will have to pay the respective increased price in the subsequent billing cycle after May 13. YouTube reiterates that each subscription will continue to get six accounts, unlimited Cloud DVR, and three simultaneous streams, but these are features that customers already have.
Today we added @Discovery @hgtv @FoodNetwork @TLC @DiscoveryID @AnimalPlanet @travelchannel & @MotorTrendTV to our lineup. @EPIXHD is available for an additional charge. pic.twitter.com/S1Uo6WiQ4Y
— YouTube TV (@YouTubeTV) April 10, 2019
Not all is bad news, though. YouTube TV is adding eight new channels that include Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, and MotorTrend. The EPIX movies channel will be available as an extra add-on. Later this year, the Oprah Winfrey Network will also be added.
Understandably, many customers are pretty annoyed. The company has reportedly been losing money on the service, and YouTube TV’s pricing is slowly creeping up into cable TV territory, diminishing its main goal. Hopefully, YouTube considers having different subscription levels or even a “pick-and-choose” plan in the future.
Source: YouTube Blog
