By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man –@tvanswerman
TV Answer Man, will YouTube TV have a discount for college students like DIRECTV did? That would be a break for fans like my son who’s still in college. — Dave, Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Dave, YouTube and YouTube TV last week announced the pricing for the 2023 NFL Sunday Ticket with the highest priced plan (games and RedZone for YouTube standalone subs) going for $489 after June 6. (See this article for more details.) If you’re a YouTube TV subscriber, you can get the base Ticket for $249 ($100 discount) if you order before June 6.
Even with the June 6 discounts, the prices are a bit steep for most college students who must toil at low-paying jobs to make ends meet while attending classes. DIRECTV seemed aware of this issue and, for the last several years, offered a major discount for college students subscribing to the NFL Sunday Ticket. Last year, the university price was just $120 for the entire season, which was $173 lower than the regular price.
The price break undoubtedly helped persuade many young fans to give the Ticket a try and perhaps become full-priced subscribers after they graduated.
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So will YouTube offer a college discount as well?
Apparently not. Google says at its web site:
“We don’t currently offer student pricing for NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube or YouTube TV.”
Google does not explain why it’s not offering college discounts, but it’s paying roughly $1 billion more per year for the Ticket’s rights than DIRECTV did so you can bet that’s a big clue.
The company, of course, could change its position before the regular season starts in September. But as of now, if you want the Ticket, you’re going to have to pay the full price no matter who you are.
Dave, hope that helps. Happy viewing and stay safe!
Have a question about new TV technologies? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvanswerman.com Please include your first name and hometown in your message.
— Phillip Swann
@tvanswerman
Wow. That’s an incredibly high price for college students. Of course, they could split up the bill, but even still. Then they’d be stuck if they cheer for different teams. I’m quite surprised by the high pricing.
DirectTV also allowed you to sign up and pay the $120 in 4 installments. Has been that way for years. Google said no to payment plans too. Short-sided & greedy IMO. Not that hard to find pirate streams, in fact it is super easy and this will push more people that route.
Weak. DirecTV was more user friendly. Damn these people and their lust for money!!
It’s great to see platforms like YouTube TV considering college student discounts for NFL Sunday Ticket. As college students often have limited budgets, having access to discounted sports packages can be a fantastic opportunity to enjoy their favorite games without breaking the bank. This initiative could make NFL Sunday Ticket more accessible and appealing to a broader audience, allowing students to stay connected to their favorite teams and players while managing their academic responsibilities. Hopefully, YouTube TV will move forward with this idea and provide an affordable option for college students to enjoy the excitement of NFL Sunday Ticket.