NEW YORK — If you subscribe to YouTube TV, prepare for an increase to your monthly bill once more.
On Thursday, the streaming service announced that the base plan will see a price hike of $10, bringing the total to $82.99 per month. This change, which takes effect for existing subscribers starting January 13, will be immediate for any new customers signing up afterwards.
YouTube communicated on X that these decisions are not made lightly and acknowledged the impact on their subscribers.
For those on promotional rates or discounted plans, the new pricing won’t apply until their current offer or trial period concludes.
YouTube TV has experienced a series of price increases since it first launched in 2017, when the streaming package was priced at $35 a month. By 2019, the price had increased to $50, and it has continued to rise from there. The most recent adjustment prior to this announcement took the base price up to $72.99 in March 2023.
The earlier price surges were linked to the addition of more channels for viewers. However, in recent announcements, including Thursday’s, YouTube has cited rising operational costs as the primary reason for the increase.
Currently, YouTube TV boasts a lineup of over 100 channels, which includes broadcast, cable, and regional sports networks. Subscribers can enjoy unlimited DVR storage along with the option for up to six user accounts and three simultaneous streams. YouTube has assured that these offerings will remain unchanged despite the price adjustment.
As streaming grows increasingly costly, consumers are facing rising expenses as they manage multiple subscriptions to access varying content. In recent years, popular platforms such as Netflix, Apple TV+, and Disney+ have also raised their prices or introduced ad-supported tiers alongside restrictions on password sharing.
Additionally, many streaming services are experimenting with bundles to provide more value in live content alongside on-demand options. The newly set price for YouTube TV aligns with the same cost as Disney’s Hulu + Live TV bundle.
As of February, YouTube reported having over 8 million subscribers for YouTube TV, indicating its solid position in the market despite the recent price hikes.