YouTube TV announced Thursday another price increase for its subscription service, raising the monthly fees by $10 starting next year to address rising content costs.
Effective January 13, 2025, the base plan subscription will grow from $72.99 to $82.99 per month, as confirmed by the service.
According to YouTube TV's spokesperson Allison Toh, the platform strives to maintain quality service as it adapts pricing. "We don’t take these pricing decisions lightly, and we give all members the flexibility to cancel their membership at any time," she stated, explaining the reasoning behind the decision.
New subscribers will face the new rate immediately, whereas existing members will see this adjustment reflected on their next billing date after the effective date.
YouTube TV's subscription fees have progressively increased since its launch, initially offering services for just $35 per month back in 2017. Here’s how the pricing evolved:
- 2017: $35 per month
- 2019: $49.99 per month
- 2020: $64.99 per month
- 2023: $72.99 per month
The recent announcement stirred reactions on social media, with many users reminiscing about the earlier, lower prices. A user on X noted, "Remembering the days when YouTube TV cost $35 a month..."
Some subscribers are reconsidering their memberships, citing concerns about finding alternatives as the price increases. One user expressed, "YouTube TV going up another $10? Time to find an alternative."
On the other hand, one user reflected on their financial decisions since leaving their traditional cable package, which had reached $89 per month. They are now paying separate subscriptions for multiple streaming services, tallying up significantly less than traditional cable costs.
Further fanning discussions around the service, YouTube TV has been making waves not only with its pricing but also by enhancing features, particularly for sports fans. During the NFL playoffs this year, the service's "decreased" broadcast delay setting saw substantial uptake. According to Christian Oestlien, YouTube's VP of product management, the feature has received millions of views on X every weekend of the playoffs.
The broadcast delay is significantly reduced, allowing for action to be seen approximately 10 seconds faster than traditional viewing modes. Although not ideal for all users, many sports fans are finding this adjustment to be pivotal, as it helps them avoid spoilers during games.
“It’s a literal game-changer,” commented Amber Sarcone, an Eagles fan who recently discovered the feature.
The option remains opt-in for viewers but has drawn considerable attention since its integration, with Oestlien noting it helps mirror the live viewing experience traditionally provided by over-the-air broadcasts.
YouTube's efforts to reduce broadcast latency date back to 2012 when their streaming of Felix Baumgartner's record-breaking skydiving jump captured millions. Over the years, they have continuously evolved their infrastructure, adopting custom server chips to reduce latency.
Oestlien noted, “To his credit, [NFL Commissioner] Roger Goodell was very forceful, encouraging us to really push on this front.” This support from the NFL has enabled enhancements to YouTube TV's sports offerings.
YouTube TV has since secured exclusive rights to NFL Sunday Ticket and has been focused on creating innovations such as multiview feeds and real-time scores. They currently boast over eight million paid subscribers as of February 2024, positioning them as one of the largest TV providers.
With viewers increasingly migrating to digital streaming, the fight for improved latency and reliability continues. Oestlien expressed hope for their reduced broadcast delay feature to become the standard viewing experience, as they strive to meet high-quality benchmarks.
For those wishing to activate the decreased broadcast delay on YouTube TV, it’s straightforward: stick to the main viewing menu, hit the down arrow on your remote twice, open the settings menu, and select the broadcast delay option.