For a while, it seemed like YouTube TV offered too much value, but the streaming service has proven that to be the case with its biggest price hike in three years.
US-only subscription service offering cable-like features like live sports shows its price Price increased to $72.99 per month (opens in new tab) (up from $64.99). YouTube TV blamed the rise on “increased content costs.” Subscribers will have his price change effective April 18th and new members will be charged now.
That price doesn’t include 4K resolution streaming, but YouTube TV has at least lowered the cost of that add-on to $9.99 per month (from $19.99). However, the Google-owned company has not yet clarified whether the price reduction is temporary or permanent.
In an apology email to subscribers, YouTube TV added, “We also understand that some members would like to cancel their service,” adding in an official tweet that they “want to offer the flexibility to cancel at any time.” I repeated.Provided a link to subscribers (opens in new tab) to do just that.
In all fairness to YouTube TV, many of the best streaming services have raised their prices in recent months. This includes Sling TV, traditionally one of his cheapest competitors, and Hulu, whose Hulu Live TV bundle went up in price to his $69.99 late last year.
However, during this difficult fiscal year, some subscribers concluded that the live elements and choices that YouTube TV offered were hard to justify at this new monthly fee, which currently stands at over $875 per year. may also be natural.
Analysis: End of an era?
(Image credit: YouTube TV)
When the service launched in 2017, YouTube TV was the perfect replacement for cable TV providers who bundled too many unnecessary features into expensive bundles and charged users for perks like HD quality. It looked like
At the time, YouTube TV cost just $34.99 per month. So, while this new price hike is his first in three years, the service costs more than double his original starting price and is approaching cable TV rivals.
YouTube TV still has some advantages over traditional cable TV, including the ability to cancel at any time. This is much better than being bound by a never-ending contract. You can also create a “family group” and share your YouTube TV membership with up to 5 people.
But given similar rises from TV streaming rivals like Sling TV and Hulu, it feels like the glory days of cheap TV streaming are over. Even if YouTube TV or something like that allows him to watch four streams at the same time using features like “multiview” (above).
