For some time, the worth supplied by YouTube TV appeared too good be true – and now the streaming service has proven that was certainly the case with its first large worth hike in three years.
The US-only subscription service, which presents cable-like options like dwell sports activities, will see its worth raised to $72.99 monthly (opens in new tab) (up from $64.99). YouTube TV has blamed the rise on the truth that “content material prices have risen”. Subscribers will see the value change from April 18, whereas new members will probably be charged it now.
That worth does not embrace 4K decision streaming, however YouTube TV has at the very least lowered the price of that add-on to $9.99 monthly (down from $19.99). Nevertheless, the Google-owned firm hasn’t but stated if this worth drop is non permanent or everlasting.
In an apologetic e mail to subscribers, YouTube TV added that “we additionally perceive that some members could need to cancel their service”, which echoed an official Tweet stating that “we need to provide the flexibility to cancel at any time”. It supplied subscribers a hyperlink (opens in new tab) to do exactly that.
In equity to YouTube TV, most of the finest streaming providers have raised their costs in latest months. That features the likes of Sling TV, which has historically been one its most cost-effective rivals, and likewise Hulu, whose Hulu Dwell TV bundle went as much as $69.99 on the finish of final 12 months.
However throughout this difficult monetary 12 months, some subscribers could understandably conclude that the dwell components and selection supplied by YouTube TV are tough to justify at this new month-to-month worth, which now works out to over $875 a 12 months.
Evaluation: Finish of an period?
When it launched in 2017, YouTube TV regarded like the proper alternative for cable TV suppliers who bundled too many pointless options into overpriced bundles, whereas charging you for the privilege of bonuses like HD high quality.
Again then, YouTube TV price solely $34.99 a month. So whereas this new worth hike is the primary one in three years, the service nonetheless prices greater than twice its authentic launch worth, which places it nearer to these cable TV rivals.
YouTube TV nonetheless has a number of benefits over conventional cable, together with the power to cancel at any time. That is so much higher than being locked right into a endless contract. You can too share your YouTube TV membership with as much as 5 different individuals by making a ‘household group’.
However given the same rises we have seen from its TV streaming rivals like Sling TV and Hulu, it does really feel just like the glory days of low cost TV streaming are over. Even when the likes of YouTube TV do now allow you to watch 4 streams concurrently with options like ‘multiview’ (above).