Everything to Know About Watching Sports on YouTube TV

When it comes to streaming, YouTube is a household name. And if you’re a sports fan, you’ll be glad to know that YouTube TV, the digital giant’s live-TV platform, offers a wide range of sports networks. From major sporting events to regular season games, YouTube TV has got you covered. However, if you’re into smaller leagues, you might encounter some difficulties finding the right networks on this service.

YouTube TV Plans and Sports Channels Compared

Unlike its competitors, YouTube TV offers a single basic plan priced at $73 per month. This plan includes popular sports networks like ESPN, FS1, and CBS Sports Network. For baseball, basketball, and football enthusiasts, YouTube TV also offers MLB Network, NBA TV, and NFL Network with the basic plan. This is a significant advantage over traditional cable packages that require costly upgrades.

But, there are a few things YouTube TV doesn’t cover for sports fans. To access NFL Redzone, you’ll need the Sports Plus add-on. Additionally, NBA and MLB games may require individual add-ons like NBA League Pass and MLB.TV, which grant access to out-of-market games. Specific sports networks like Eleven Sports and Zona Futol are missing from YouTube TV’s lineup.

While YouTube TV is great for watching live games and major sports events with its basic plan and add-ons, it might not be the best option for fans of niche leagues or regional teams.

Sports Channels on YouTube TV

• ESPN
• FS1
• CBS Sports Network
• MLB Network
• NBA TV
• NFL Network

YouTube TV Sports Add-ons

YouTube TV offers several add-ons to expand your sports streaming options. The most comprehensive add-on is the YouTube TV Sports Plus, which provides access to 19 additional sports networks. If you’re a baseball fan, you can add MLB.TV for $30 per month, granting you access to most out-of-market MLB games. Similarly, NBA League Pass is available as an add-on for $15 per month.

Spanish-speaking sports fans can opt for the Spanish Plus add-on, priced at $15 per month. This package includes popular Spanish-language sports broadcasts and additional Spanish-language news and entertainment networks.

YouTube TV Sports Streaming Pros

YouTube TV has some notable advantages for sports streaming:

Includes TBS and TNT: Unlike some competitors, YouTube TV gives you access to TBS and TNT. These channels are essential for pro basketball fans, as they broadcast NBA games during the regular season and College basketball’s March Madness.

Unlimited Cloud DVR: With YouTube TV, you can record as many hours of programming as you want. This is a remarkable feature for sports fans who don’t want to miss any action.

Stream with Multiple Devices: YouTube TV allows streaming on up to three devices simultaneously. Perfect for households with multiple sports enthusiasts who can’t agree on which game to watch.

YouTube TV Sports Streaming Cons

Despite its advantages, YouTube TV has a few downsides:

Expensive Subscription Cost: YouTube TV’s $73 per month subscription is on the higher end of the streaming options. If you’re solely interested in sports, you might find more affordable alternatives like Sling TV.

Missing Regional Sports Networks: YouTube TV currently lacks the Bally Sports regional networks and the YES Network, which airs New York Yankees and Brooklyn Nets games.

Additional Add-ons for College Sports: Fans of soccer and college sports may need to get the Sports Plus add-on for access to channels like Fox Soccer Plus, BelN Sports, and the Stadium networks.

Our Final Recommendation

YouTube TV offers an extensive range of sports content, and most fans will be satisfied with either the basic package or the Sports Plus add-on. However, if you’re looking for specific regional sports coverage or out-of-market games for your favorite teams, you might need to explore other streaming services like Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Fubo. It’s always worth comparing the sports lineups of different platforms before making a decision.

To learn more about streaming sports on YouTube TV, visit Mr Reviews for an exclusive guide.