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Tired of juggling expensive cable bills, bulky hardware, and long-term contracts? You're not alone. More households than ever are trading in their cable boxes for sleek, flexible live TV streaming. One of the streaming services at the top of the pack is YouTube TV.
With a nationwide channel lineup that rivals cable, unlimited DVR, support for six users per account, and a hefty lineup of entertainment, news, sports, and family programming, YouTube TV makes ditching traditional TV a no-brainer. In 2025, it's even easier to jump in, with new subscribers getting their first two months for just $59.99/month (typically $82.99/month).
Whether you're after the latest breaking news, back-to-back game day coverage, or kid-friendly favorites, YouTube TV delivers — and then some. Here's everything you need to know about YouTube TV channels in 2025.



YouTube TV
YouTube TVIf you've had enough of cable TV bills and clunky equipment, YouTube TV offers a clean break. For new users, the Base Plan is $59.99/month for your first 2 months, then $82.99/month after that. With over 100 live channels, nationwide availability, and no annual contracts, it's a compelling alternative for households that want variety without the baggage of traditional TV.
The Base Plan includes:
YouTube TV works across a wide range of devices: Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast, Apple TV, Android/Google TV, major smart TVs (LG, Samsung, Vizio), gaming consoles (PS4/5, Xbox One/Series X/S), as well as Android and iOS mobile devices.
Yes, YouTube TV does have a free trial, typically this trial will last seven days until you need to pay full price.
If you live outside the U.S. or travel frequently for work or fun, you might assume you're out of luck — after all, YouTube TV is only officially available within the United States. But, you're not. Using a VPN will easily get you access to everything available on YouTube TV when you're out of the country.
Using a VPN means private browsing, so no one can hack what you're doing whenever you're using public Wi-Fi in places unfamiliar to you. But, it can also spoof your device to make it as if you're in a different country. Say you're on a work trip in the U.K. but really can't miss the latest of what's going on with Jersey Shore: Family Vacation. You can connect to a VPN, pretend you're in the U.S., and bam — you have access to live TV in the United States. It's that easy.
Now, there are a number of VPNs to choose from, but we're most impressed by options like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Private Internet Access. These ones are reliable, effortless to use, and affordable. Check them out below.
YouTube TV provides a robust lineup of live TV channels with something for everyone. Whether you're into drama, sports, kids' content, or hard news, there's a channel for it.
The full lineup includes top-tier channels like:
Beyond 100+ YouTube TV live channels, you can add premium channels for an additional fee. There are tons of options to choose from here, with some of the top options being:
These channels typically cost the same amount they would without YouTube TV, the only main benefit of purchasing through YouTube TV is that it keeps all of your streaming services in the same spot. You can check out every single channel and add-on here.
We'd consider YouTube TV to have a very normal number of channels. While streamers like DIRECTV STREAM and Fubo can have upwards of over 300 or 400 channels, YouTube TV keeps it rather minimal in the low hundreds. Hulu + Live TV does the same thing, all while including ESPN Unlimited and Disney+ for free. While lots of channels seem pretty neat, let's keep it real — you're not going to watch over half of them. Isn't that the reason you got rid of cable to begin with?
Sling TV and Philo have some pretty solid channels, but not as many as YouTube TV does. These services also might lack specifics you're looking for. One example might be that you're really looking to watch the news. You won't get any news with Philo, but you do with Sling TV. But, you do get some awesome entertainment channels with Philo, just not as many with Sling TV. It's a give and a take with these ones, but that's not the case with YouTube TV.
YouTube TV's largest competitor right now is in fact Hulu + Live TV. The channels provided, the amount of channels there are, the unlimited DVR — all are pretty similar. One thing that does change is that, as mentioned, Hulu + Live TV does in fact come with ESPN Unlimited and Disney+ for free, which YouTube TV does not. YouTube TV has a number of channels you can add, but that comes with an extra price.
YouTube TV continues to be one of the strongest cable alternatives in 2025. With over 100 live channels, unlimited DVR, a generous free trial, and support for virtually every modern device, it's a no-fuss way to stream live television.
While its price has gone up slightly over time, it still hits the sweet spot between channel variety, usability, and value. Whether you're a solo viewer, sports household, or family with kids, YouTube TV has the flexibility and content to meet your needs.
Ready to ditch the box and stream smarter? YouTube TV might just be your next favorite subscription. And, remember, if you want to watch outside of the U.S., check out a VPN like ExpressVPN, Private Internet Access, or NordVPN.
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