YouTube TV Plans 2026 - Every Plan, Price, and Channel Compared
In February 2026, YouTube TV transformed from a single-plan service at $82.99/mo into a multi-tier platform with 12+ genre-based plans starting at $54.99/mo. This is the most comprehensive breakdown of every plan available, with full channel lists, pricing comparisons, and guidance on which plan fits your viewing habits.
Why YouTube TV Launched Genre-Based Plans
YouTube TV faced a growing problem throughout 2024 and 2025: subscriber churn. The service had grown from $35/mo at launch to $82.99/mo, and many cord-cutters who switched to escape expensive cable found themselves paying nearly as much for YouTube TV. The value proposition weakened with every price increase.
Competitors like Sling TV thrived by offering smaller, cheaper packages. Sling Orange at $40/mo attracted budget-conscious viewers who only wanted ESPN and a few entertainment channels. YouTube TV needed an answer.
The genre-based approach lets YouTube TV compete at multiple price points. A sports fan can get ESPN, FS1, and local channels for $64.99/mo instead of paying $82.99 for 60+ channels they never watch. An entertainment viewer can get Food Network, HGTV, and Comedy Central for just $54.99/mo. The full lineup remains available for those who want everything.
Key changes in the 2026 restructuring
- 12+ plan options instead of one flat rate - pick the genres you actually watch
- Introductory pricing for new subscribers knocks $10-23 off the first billing period
- All plans include local broadcast channels (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC) where available
- Unlimited DVR recording included on every plan regardless of price tier
- Existing subscribers can switch to any genre plan without losing their account
- Add-ons (4K Plus, Sports Plus, etc.) work with any plan, not just the Base Plan
- Family sharing (6 accounts, 3 streams) available on all plans
All YouTube TV Plans at a Glance
| Plan | Monthly | Intro Rate | Channels | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entertainment | $54.99/mo | $44.99/mo | 40+ | Cord-cutters who skip sports and news |
| News | $54.99/mo | $44.99/mo | 30+ | News junkies and current events followers |
| Family | $59.99/mo | $49.99/mo | 50+ | Families with kids of all ages |
| Sports | $64.99/mo | $54.99/mo | 45+ | Live sports fans |
| News + Entertainment | $64.99/mo | $54.99/mo | 55+ | Morning news, evening entertainment |
| Entertainment + Family | $62.99/mo | $51.99/mo | 60+ | Families who love entertainment |
| News + Family | $62.99/mo | $51.99/mo | 55+ | Parents who follow news |
| Sports + News | $69.99/mo | $57.99/mo | 60+ | Sports and breaking news fans |
| Sports + Family | $69.99/mo | $57.99/mo | 65+ | Sporty families |
| Sports + Entertainment | $72.99/mo | $59.99/mo | 70+ | Sports and entertainment viewers |
| News + Entertainment + Family | $74.99/mo | $62.99/mo | 75+ | Everyone except sports fans |
| Base Plan (All-In) | $82.99/mo | $59.99/mo | 100+ | Viewers who want every channel |
Plan Details and Channel Lineups
Entertainment
Best for: Cord-cutters who skip sports and news
Key channels: Comedy Central, Food Network, HGTV, TLC, Discovery, MTV, Bravo, E!, USA Network, Syfy, FX, Paramount Network, VH1, BET, Hallmark
Save $28.00/mo (336/year) vs the Base Plan
News
Best for: News junkies and current events followers
Key channels: CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, CNBC, Bloomberg TV, BBC World News, HLN, Newsy, ABC News Live, CBS News
Save $28.00/mo (336/year) vs the Base Plan
Family
Best for: Families with kids of all ages
Key channels: Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Universal Kids, PBS Kids, Food Network, HGTV
Save $23.00/mo (276/year) vs the Base Plan
Sports
Best for: Live sports fans
Key channels: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, FS1, FS2, NBC Sports, NFL Network, CBS Sports Network, Big Ten Network, SEC Network, ACC Network
Save $18.00/mo (216/year) vs the Base Plan
News + Entertainment
Best for: Morning news, evening entertainment
Key channels: CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, Comedy Central, Food Network, HGTV, Bravo, FX, USA Network
Save $18.00/mo (216/year) vs the Base Plan
Entertainment + Family
Best for: Families who love entertainment
Key channels: Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, Food Network, HGTV, FX, Bravo
Save $20.00/mo (240/year) vs the Base Plan
News + Family
Best for: Parents who follow news
Key channels: CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, PBS Kids
Save $20.00/mo (240/year) vs the Base Plan
Sports + News
Best for: Sports and breaking news fans
Key channels: ESPN, FS1, NBC Sports, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, CNBC
Save $13.00/mo (156/year) vs the Base Plan
Sports + Family
Best for: Sporty families
Key channels: ESPN, FS1, NBC Sports, Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon
Save $13.00/mo (156/year) vs the Base Plan
Sports + Entertainment
Best for: Sports and entertainment viewers
Key channels: ESPN, FS1, NBC Sports, Comedy Central, Food Network, HGTV, FX, USA Network
Save $10.00/mo (120/year) vs the Base Plan
News + Entertainment + Family
Best for: Everyone except sports fans
Key channels: CNN, Fox News, Comedy Central, Food Network, Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, HGTV, FX
Save $8.00/mo (96/year) vs the Base Plan
Base Plan (All-In)
Best for: Viewers who want every channel
Key channels: ESPN, CNN, Fox News, Comedy Central, Food Network, Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, HGTV, FX, and 90+ more
What You Lose on Cheaper Plans
Cheaper plans save money by excluding channels outside their genre focus. Here is what each standalone plan is missing compared to the full Base Plan.
Entertainment plan ($54.99) is missing:
All sports channels (ESPN, FS1, NBC Sports, NFL Network), all news channels (CNN, Fox News, MSNBC), and kids-specific networks (Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network). You keep lifestyle and scripted entertainment channels.
Sports plan ($64.99) is missing:
Entertainment channels (Comedy Central, Food Network, HGTV, Bravo), news channels (CNN, MSNBC), and kids channels. You keep all sports networks plus broadcast channels for live games.
News plan ($54.99) is missing:
All sports channels, entertainment channels, and kids channels. This is the most focused plan - purely news and current events programming.
Family plan ($59.99) is missing:
Dedicated sports networks (ESPN, FS1, NFL Network), most news channels, and some entertainment channels. Keeps Disney, Nick, Cartoon Network, and family-friendly entertainment.
How to Switch Plans (Existing Subscribers)
If you are already a YouTube TV subscriber paying $82.99/mo, you can switch to a genre-based plan to save money. The process is straightforward but there are important details to understand.
Open Settings
Go to YouTube TV settings on web or mobile app. Navigate to Membership.
Choose Plan
Select 'Change plan' and browse available genre-based options with pricing.
Review Channels
Check which channels you will lose. YouTube TV shows a comparison before you confirm.
Confirm Switch
Changes take effect on your next billing date. No penalty or gap in service.
Note: Existing subscribers may not qualify for the introductory rates. Check your account settings for current promotions available to you.
Plan Recommender
Select what you watch to find the cheapest YouTube TV plan for your needs.
Start with the most affordable plan and upgrade if you need more channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many YouTube TV plans are there in 2026?
YouTube TV offers 12+ plans in 2026. These include standalone genre plans (Entertainment, Sports, News, Family), combination plans (Sports + Entertainment, News + Family, etc.), and the original Base Plan (All-In) at $82.99/mo with 100+ channels.
What is the cheapest YouTube TV plan?
The Entertainment plan and News plan are tied for the cheapest at $54.99/mo. New subscribers can get introductory pricing of $44.99/mo for their first billing period. Both plans include approximately 30-40 channels focused on their respective genres.
Can I switch between YouTube TV plans?
Yes, existing YouTube TV subscribers can switch to any genre-based plan at any time. The change takes effect on your next billing cycle. Note that switching to a cheaper plan means losing access to channels outside that genre. You will not lose your DVR recordings, but some may become inaccessible if the channel is not included in your new plan.
Do cheaper YouTube TV plans include local channels?
Yes, all YouTube TV plans include local broadcast channels (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC) where available based on your location. Local channel availability depends on your ZIP code, not which plan you choose.
What is the YouTube TV Base Plan (All-In)?
The Base Plan, now called All-In, is the original YouTube TV package with 100+ channels across every genre for $82.99/mo ($59.99 intro rate for new subscribers). It includes everything from sports and news to entertainment and kids programming. This is the same plan YouTube TV has always offered, just renamed after the genre plans launched.