YouTube TV used to be comparatively more expensive than other popular live TV streaming services, but now YouTube TV is comparatively cheaper.
The live TV streaming service industry has become saturated in recent years as more platforms are being introduced to the market. However, even in light of this, there are still leading and preferred live TV streaming services that the general public tout.
One of these is YouTube TV, which, for a long time, was the most expensive of the popular live TV streaming services in the market.
However, as of 2022, leading live TV streaming services like Hulu+ Live TV and fuboTV are now more expensive, which was not always the case.
How to decide which live TV streaming service to use
If you are considering letting go of long-term, expensive cable contracts for the more affordable and somewhat hassle-free live streaming services available, there is more than just the cost to consider to help you decide, since different popular live TV streaming services are touted for distinctive reasons.
Therefore, it is important to understand why each service is popular and make your decision thereafter. For instance, fuboTV was touted as the ideal service for sport fanatics, while Hulu+ Live TV was loved for its access to Hulu’s on-demand library and content.
Hence, there is more than just the cost to consider when deciding which live TV streaming service to purchase or subscribe to.
Why is YouTube TV so expensive?
YouTube TV was officially launched in February 2017 as Google’s entry into the live TV streaming sector. It should be made clear that YouTube TV, though it’s also a subsidiary of Google, it is different from YouTube.
As such, having a subscription with YouTube does not mean you have a YouTube TV subscription. Each of these entities require separate login details and subscriptions.
When Google launched YouTube TV, the price for a subscription was $35 per month. However, throughout the years the platform increased the price of its subscription package.
YouTube TV varies from most of the popular live TV streaming services in that it offers only one subscription package and this has been the case since its inception, despite the escalating price. The first price increase, in 2018, was to $40 per month.
After the $40 increase was the next increase, which was an increase of $9.99, resulting in the $49.99 monthly fee. The current subscription cost is $64.99 per month.
The latest cost is a result of the service adding ViacomCBS channels to its subscription package. At the time of its announcement, the $64.99 was considered expensive, as YouTube TV’s closest competitors, Hulu+ Live TV and fuboTV, were $54.99 at the time.
However, when the two services also increased their prices, it made YouTube TV comparatively cheaper than the latter. Overall, however, YouTube TV is still expensive compared to live TV streaming services like Sling TV.
How much is Hulu+ Live TV?
Hulu+ Live TV is one of the most popular and expensive of the live TV streaming services in the market. However, the service is continually looking for ways to gain more subscribers.
As such, in 2021, instead of offering its standard subscription package at the monthly cost of $69.99, they introduced a limited discount offer of $54.99, which was the previous, more affordable cost of the package.
The discounted special was offered for the first three months, after which the cost of the package reverted back to $69.99.
| Sign up to Hulu + Live TV here. |
How much is fuboTV?
When fuboTV first launched, it was touted as the ideal live TV streaming service for sport lovers. Moreover, the price of its basic package made the platform competitively well-priced compared to other live TV streaming services at the time.
However, as it has grown in popularity and offering, it has become one of the most expensive of the TV streaming services in the industry.
Along with Hulu+ Live TV, the platforms are top tier in terms of expense of a standard package, fuboTV’s Pro costs $69.99 per month, and the Elite package costs $79.99 per month.
How much is Sling TV?
Sling TV is widely regarded as one the most affordable and popular live TV streaming and on-demand services.
This is because the service has some of the best packages with low-entry costs and the ability to customise your subscription package with add-ons that, even after they are added to the initial subscription fee, are still not as costly as the aforementioned platforms.
Sling TV has three primary packages, namely Sling Blue and Sling Orange which both cost $35 per month, and the combined Sling Orange and Blue subscription package for $50 per month.
| Sign up to Sling TV here. |
