TV Answer Man, I am thinking of making the big switch from DIRECTV to a streaming service, but sports is very important to me. I am thinking of subscribing to YouTube TV so do you think that’s a good TV service for sports fans like me? — Tim, San Diego.
Tim, for those not familiar with YouTube TV, it’s a live streaming service that offers roughly 85 channels for $64.99 a month. (You can get more channels in add-on plans.) You watch YouTube TV via the Internet using a computer or connected device that includes the YouTube TV app, such as Roku, Fire TV or Apple TV.
Unlike many cable and satellite operators, YouTube TV does not require signing any contracts, and it offers a five-day free trial.
But does YouTube TV carry all the sports channels a ‘big-time’ sports fan would require in a pay TV service?
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Maybe. But before we explain, let’s look at which sports channels YouTube TV does offer:
The streamer carries the network affiliates (ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox) in most markets. That’s important because the networks have the rights to many high-profile events such as NFL and MLB games, the Olympics, NASCAR races, The Masters golf tournament and so on. YouTube TV also carries TNT and TBS (NHL, NBA and MLB games), ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, FS1, FS2, ACC Network, SEC Network, MLB Network, NBA TV, NFL Network, Big Ten Network, CBS Sports Network, Golf Channel and the Olympic Channel.
In addition, YouTube TV offers an add-on sports package for an extra $10.99 a month that includes beIn Sports, Billard TV, Fox Soccer Plus, GolTV, MavTV, NFL RedZone, Outdoor Channel, Players TV, Stadium, VSN, TVG, PokerGo+ and SportsGrid.
YouTube TV also has some regional sports networks including:
NBC Sports Bay Area
NBC Sports Boston
NBC Sports California
NBC Sports Chicago
NBC Sports Philadelphia
NBC Sports Northwest
NBC Sports Washington
SNY — SportsNet New York
For an extra $20 a month, the live streaming service also provides select NBC, ESPN and Fox-produced games in 4K such as Premier League Soccer, college basketball, NFL Thursday Night Football and college football.
Now let’s look at what YouTube TV does not offer:
YouTube TV does not carry the AT&T regional sports networks, the Bally Sports regional sports nets or the Yes Network, the Pac 12 Network, the Longhorn Network, NESN, Altitude, Marquee Sports Network, MASN or SportsNet LA. Those are some big omissions if you’re accustomed to watching your local team on a regional sports channel.
Bottom line: If you want to watch all your favorite sports, or a specific local team, you may be disappointed on occasion. But if you are only interested in nationally televised sports, you’ll probably find that YouTube TV does the job.
Tim, hope that helps. Happy viewing and stay safe!
Have a question about new TV technologies? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvpredictions.com. Please include your first name and hometown in your message.
— Phillip Swann
I switched to YouTube TV in December and was able to watch all of the college football games I desired. During basketball season between YTTV and my ESPN+ subscription I’ve gotten all the games I want as well.
YouTube TV has a great interface (though the dvr takes some getting used to: allegedly they’ll revamp that later this year)
I will say that in my analysis, Directv Stream was a close second place. If you want something that feels familiar, give that a try.
Justin,
It is *really* going to depend upon exactly what sports programming you’re looking for. Philip did a superb job laying the programming all out. If you’re coming from DirectTV, you’ll find programming relatively similar, with the exception of potentially some local sports.
As Philip said, YouTube TV does not carry the AT&T regional sports networks, the Bally Sports regional sports and others, so if you’re looking for local sports there in San Diego, you may want to closely consider and compare what you’re surrendering first.
AT&T TV is now DIRECTV STREAM.
All those regional sports network channels you now have would be lost. AT&T/DirectTV are the *only* streaming service that has *all* the regional networks. Carriage wars caused the fallout everywhere else.
I think YTTV’s interface sucks. Can’t do a “previous” button. No numbers to pick a channel without scrolling thru the guide. You would think a 21sr century technology would have a 21sr century interface!
Tonyl,
Many of us here agree with you on the lack of that particular interface feature and I myself commented about that very thing last week. However, I’m unsure how that pertains to whether YTTV is a good alternative for sports packages, most respectfully.
Chris,
Here is Justin’s opening line in the 2nd paragraph:
YouTube TV has a great interface (though the dvr takes some getting used to: allegedly they’ll revamp that later this year)
He brought up the interface. That seems to open the door for other conversations, most respectfully.
Tim,
It is *really* going to depend upon exactly what sports programming you’re looking for. Phillip did a superb job laying the programming all out. If you’re coming from DirectTV, you’ll find programming relatively similar, with the exception of potentially some local sports.
As Phillip said, YouTube TV does not carry the AT&T regional sports networks, the Bally Sports regional sports and others, so if you’re looking for local sports there in San Diego, you may want to closely consider and compare what you’re surrendering first.
AT&T TV is now DIRECTV STREAM.
All those regional sports network channels you now have would be lost. AT&T/DirectTV are the *only* streaming service that has *all* the regional networks. Carriage wars caused the fallout everywhere else.
Tonyl,
And his was apart from the premise question as well. I could have easily addressed him. My response was supposed to be to Tim strictly on the premise topic. The problem with commenting on formats like this where we’re placing comments on another’s blog (Phillip’s) is that we cannot edit nor delete our comments. I have already asked Phillip to delete my inadvertent post addressing Justin. I can do the same with my response to you if you’d like.
Tim’s actual question pertained only to sports programming. But your frustration with that lacking “previous” or “Last Channel” feature is shared. The scrolling is primitive, especially for what we’re paying.