YouTube TV’s US$82.99 price puts value in the eye of the viewer
Engadget weighs the service’s sports line-up and unlimited DVR against a higher monthly bill and the loss of three channels.
YouTube TV’s main plan costs US$82.99 a month, up from US$72.99 earlier this year, prompting fresh questions about whether its features justify the price. Engadget’s assessment says the answer depends on what subscribers watch.
Sports fans may find more value in the service. ESPN Unlimited became available to main-plan and Sports Plan subscribers at the start of September, with college football and out-of-market NHL games among the draws. New subscribers can also get NFL Sunday Ticket for US$30 a month, while existing YouTube TV subscribers pay the standard US$47.25 monthly price, according to Engadget.
The service includes unlimited DVR storage. Its optional 4K Plus add-on costs another US$10 a month, with 4K available for selected sports, live events and on-demand content.
YouTube TV is due to lose Tastemade, Court TV and The Young Turks on 30 September. Engadget says recordings saved from those channels will also be removed; the source does not specify the year for the change.
Engadget compares the plan with Sling, Hulu + Live TV and DirecTV. It says YouTube TV remains cheaper than most cable or satellite set-ups, but costs more than Sling’s priciest plan. Hulu’s ad-supported live TV package is listed at US$99 a month, while DirecTV streaming prices start at US$20.99 for one package and US$90 for a larger one.
The trade-off is therefore personal: subscribers who value YouTube TV’s sports and channel selection may accept the higher bill, while others may find better value in a different package.
