Cutting the cord was supposed to be the cheaper option. However, that option has become increasingly costly. The latest example came this week when YouTube TV unexpectedly announced it is increasing its monthly subscription cost for customers by $10 starting in January.
YouTube TV’s New Cost and How Fans Are Reacting
YouTube TV is a digital streaming service that includes live TV from over 100 broadcast, cable, and regional sports networks. The service was costing customers $72.99 per month. Starting Jan. 13, 2025, that cost will go up by $10 to $82.99 per month.
YouTube TV is increasing its price to $83 a month starting in January 2025.
That means YouTube TV has now doubled in price over the last five years, from $40 to $83 per month, while also removing regional sports networks and other channels like MLB network.
That’s crazy. pic.twitter.com/iEJLzeLRoy
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) December 12, 2024
That’s a huge rise from the $34.99 per month Youtube TV was charging when the service debuted in 2017. Since then, it went to $49.99 in 2019, then to $64.99 in 2020, and its most recent price increase, $72.99 back in March 2023.
In just under eight years, Youtube TV’s price has more than doubled since its inception. However, even the $82.99 per month still falls in line with the average cost for basic cable.
When the various streaming services started, they offered cheaper solutions for viewers to stream their favorite shows. Like many other things in the world, costs continue to go up, and therefore, subscription prices are on the rise.
The gap between streaming and basic cable seems to be getting smaller. Streaming services have combatted that issue by combining packages. Current bundles include Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu, which has since been combined even further by Disney+ adding ESPN+ to its own server. Another package includes a bundle with Netflix and Max.
Meanwhile, fans are expressing their displeasure with YouTube TV’s latest price increase from one of the top streaming cable providers.
One fan said, “When football season is over, I’ll cancel Youtube TV again for nine months.”
Another fan has said he has told his wife to get ready not to have YouTube TV after Christmas.
I got the same email and told the wife get ready for not having @YouTubeTV after Christmas. We host a lot of people and have already gotten questions from family if I'll have football games to watch…🤦♂️
— Tim (@TSuchanick) December 12, 2024
So we’re back to cable just in a slightly different wrapper
— Dustin Burnham (@dustinthedad) December 12, 2024
I just shared the same thing. I’m so frustrated and can’t believe these streaming companies refuse to figure it out. I watched the same channels today that I did 10 years ago on YouTube TV. Yet I am paying more than twice as much. If I want more channels, then let me pay an extra…
— LandDeveloperGuy (@subdivisionguy) December 12, 2024
I wonder why these packaged services don’t just offer the 10-20 most popular channels. Instead they have so much bloat and it makes things too expensive.
— Richard Dugan-Starr (@DuganStarr) December 12, 2024
Consumers, for the most part, are stressed over the price increase, but there are some that will stick with it for the sports and, specifically, the NFL. YouTube is in its second season as the provider of NFL Sunday Ticket, taking over from DirecTV in 2023. Customers can buy Sunday Ticket as its own package or bundle it with YouTube TV.
Right now, customers can purchase Sunday Ticket on its own for $264 for the rest of the season. They can also get the package for $209 plus a three-month deal of $59.99 per month for YouTube TV before their monthly price goes up to $82.99. Customers can also spread payments out over four split payments and six weeks.