TV Answer Man, I just saw on Twitter that YouTube TV is charging $20 extra to get 4K. Is that real? Will anyone pay that much? Come on! — Jalen, Cleveland.
Jalen, YouTube TV, the multi-channel, live streaming service, announced today that it’s launching 4K Plus, an add-on package that will give you unlimited streams on a home WiFi as well as live and on-demand 4K programming from NBC and ESPN, FX, Discovery Networks and other networks.
The streamer says the extra plan will cost $19.99 a month, but new users can get a one-month free trial and then a price of $9.99 a month for one year. (If 4K Plus subscribers cancel or pause their plan at any time during the 12-month period, the discount price will no longer be available.)
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“With a compatible 4K enabled TV and/or streaming device, you can enjoy watching content in one of the best, most crisp resolutions,” YouTube TV says today in a blog post.
The blog post does not mention specific events that will be available in 4K, but next month’s Summer Olympics and baseball All-Star game are likely candidates, among others.
(The streaming service also says it will introduce Dolby 5.1 audio capabilities in the coming weeks to select devices. The enhanced audio will be available to all subscribers, not just the 4K Plus customers.)
The one-year discount, and free trial, should help encourage new and current YouTube TV customers to give 4K Plus a try. However, with the streamer’s base plan already costing $64.99 a month, that would bring your monthly total to $74.99 a month. Many YouTube TV subscribers howled last year when the service raised its base price from $49.99 a month to $64.99 a month so I suspect $74.99 a month will be too rich for some.
YouTube TV now joins FuboTV as the only multi-channel, live streaming services that offer 4K programming. FuboTV does not charge extra for its 4K selections.
Jalen, hope that helps. Happy viewing!
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— Phillip Swann
Um, no. The more we pay the providers, the more they can pay for content. The more they can pay for content, the more these content owners will want and the cost increases we’ve seen in the traditional cable/satellite model will continue to happen in the streaming model. At some point, the content owners are going to have to figure out that their content just isn’t worth that much and certainly not worth continued price increases.
I’m happy with HD AI up-converted to 4K and will continue to be happy with it. If YouTubeTV keeps pushing for higher rates, I’ll continue to shop around.
No, definitely not. We are happy with YTTV the way it is now and we pay $54.99 a month with our T-Mobile discount. My Samsung Q8F set looks fantastic right now and there is not nearly enough 4K broadcast content that would make us pay $20 more a month.
Hard pass! Thanks but no thanks.
Is there a list somewhere of the channels that are in 4k?
Definitely not! It should be included with the base price. Charging $20 and you don’t get any extra channels. Only channels you are already paying for and a very few will be actually 4k. Ridiculous!
They are also going to offer a $20/month 3D add-on package.
So in summary you pay for but get little:
– Regional sports
– 4K
– Possibly 3D
It was mentioned almost in passing owing to the parentheses, but it states “(The streaming service also says it will introduce Dolby 5.1 audio capabilities in the coming weeks to select devices. The enhanced audio will be available to all subscribers, not just the 4K Plus customers.)” I think this is significant. Admittedly, I think live TV streaming as a replacement for cable TV has a notable downside: audio is mostly 2-channel stereo instead of the DD5.1 that you get with cable.
We are getting Stuck with a $ 10.00 FEE for HD
that should have GONE AWAY along time ago.
and should be ILLEGAL.
Kinda like Paying for Touch Tone for your Phone.
Look what happened to AT&T (DirecTV) GOUGING
Only LOST 6 + Million Customers.
This New additional $ 20.00 Fee is NOT going to go over.
YOUTUBE TV better Look Out.