YouTube TV jacks up monthly pricing $15, most expensive cable rival

Authored by eu.usatoday.com and submitted by CrazyK9

YouTubeTV jacks up pricing to $64.99, most expensive cable TV alternative

Cutting the cord fans: Streaming cable TV alternatives are getting to be almost as expensive as cable TV.

On Tuesday, Google-owned YouTube TV announced a monthly $15 price hike, bringing its streaming package of channels to $64.99 monthly, from $49.99. When YouTube TV launched in 2017, it was $35.

In a company blog post, YouTube defended its decision by announcing the availability of additional channels from Viacom, including MTV and Nickelodeon.

The move is effective Tuesday for new members, while existing subscribers will see their rates rise after July 30.

Done with Facebook?: Here are some alternative social media platforms

Coronavirus treatments: COVID-19 drug remdesivir priced at $390 per vial for some patients, $520 for others

"This new price reflects the rising cost of content and we also believe it reflects the complete value of YouTube TV, from our breadth of content to the features that are changing how we watch live TV," YouTube said.

YouTube TV is now the most expensive of the cable TV streaming alternative services.

AT&T Now recently lowered pricing to $55 monthly, while Hulu with Live TV is $54.99. Sling TV is the lowest priced of the cable TV alternatives, at $30 monthly for the Orange or Blue packages, or $45 for both. However, Sling doesn't carry all the local broadcast stations in each market, so check your local listings.

Philo is even cheaper, at $20 monthly, but is missing news and sports channels.

A 2019 study by Consumer Reports found the average cable TV bill is $217.42 monthly.

Jessica Barnes, the editor of CordCutters News, says she expected the price hike when YouTube added the extra channels. Readers are predictably "not happy," but she says YouTube's subscription losses will be offset by those who like watching the new channels from Viacom.

Follow USA TODAY's Jefferson Graham (@jeffersongraham) on Twitter

taybul on July 4th, 2020 at 03:24 UTC »

They should really just throw in YouTube premium too at this point. Hardly justifiable but at least give your customers some incentive to stay.

sum8fever on July 4th, 2020 at 01:15 UTC »

Jacking up the price 33% when there are no live sports. Stupid.

Slobotic on July 4th, 2020 at 01:12 UTC »

Per month?!