YouTube TV Is Raising Prices – No Problem, Fubo Just Gave Me a $65 Credit to Subscribe!

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man – Follow me on X.

YouTube TV today revealed that it’s raising its base price from $72.99 a month to $82.99 a month, effective now for new subscribers and on January 13, 2025 for existing customers. The news may come as a shock to many subscribers since YouTube TV hasn’t raised prices in almost two years. But as a YouTube TV customer, I’m not concerned. Why? Fubo just gave me a $65 credit to renew my subscription to its live streaming service!

In fact, in the last week, Fubo has offered me two major discounts to renew (I was a Fubo subscriber in late summer and early fall.) One was the $65 credit which would lower my first month subscription to $31 (after regional sports fees and taxes) and one was for $100 off the first four months ($25 a month).

After hearing of the YouTube TV price increase today, I decided to take the $65 discount and renew. Bye, bye, YouTube TV.

At least for now.

The lesson here is that the live streamers are in a desperate battle for market share. Yes, they have to raise prices to offset rising program acquisition costs. But that doesn’t mean they are beyond offering discounts and other promotions to attract new customers and keep old ones. In addition to Fubo’s offers to me, which were sent via an e-mail promotion to former subscribers, the streamer is offering as much as $35 off the first month of service at its web site. And DIRECTV Stream now is offering $60 off the first three months of service at its web site.

So if you are a YouTube TV subscriber, and today’s price hike is a bridge too far, keep your eyes open for deals from its rivals. They might come via a promotional e-mail or at their web sites. But I guarantee you they will be coming, particularly with the fourth quarter winding down. These companies want to boost their year-end numbers to impress their shareholders and they are willing to make some compromises to do it.

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The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered television for more than three decades. He will report on the latest news and answer your questions regarding new devices and services that are changing the way you watch  television. See the bio for Phillip Swann here.