YouTube TV is a popular live TV streaming service that offers a wide range of channels, including local networks, sports, and news. With its user-friendly interface and affordable pricing, it’s no wonder that YouTube TV has become a favorite among cord-cutters. However, navigating the platform can be overwhelming, especially for new users. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how to navigate YouTube TV and make the most out of your viewing experience.
Getting Started with YouTube TV
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of navigating YouTube TV, let’s cover the basics. To get started with YouTube TV, you’ll need to sign up for an account and download the app on your device. YouTube TV is available on a variety of devices, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and streaming devices like Roku and Chromecast.
Once you’ve signed up and downloaded the app, you’ll be prompted to set up your account. This includes selecting your location, choosing your channels, and setting up your DVR. Don’t worry, we’ll cover each of these steps in more detail later in this article.
Understanding the YouTube TV Interface
The YouTube TV interface is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive. The main screen is divided into several sections, including:
- Home: This is the main screen of the app, where you’ll find a list of recommended shows and movies.
- Live: This section shows you what’s currently playing on live TV.
- Library: This is where you’ll find your recorded shows and movies.
- Search: This section allows you to search for specific shows, movies, and channels.
Navigating the Menu
To access the menu, click on the three horizontal lines in the top left corner of the screen. From here, you can access various settings and features, including:
- Settings: This is where you can adjust your account settings, including your location and channel lineup.
- Help: This section provides troubleshooting tips and answers to common questions.
- Sign out: This allows you to sign out of your account.
Customizing Your Channel Lineup
One of the best things about YouTube TV is its customizable channel lineup. With over 70 channels to choose from, you can create a lineup that’s tailored to your viewing habits.
To customize your channel lineup, follow these steps:
- Click on the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner of the screen.
- Select “Settings” from the menu.
- Scroll down to the “Channel lineup” section.
- Click on “Edit channels.”
- Select the channels you want to add or remove from your lineup.
Adding and Removing Channels
Adding and removing channels is easy on YouTube TV. To add a channel, simply click on the “Add channel” button next to the channel name. To remove a channel, click on the “Remove channel” button.
Channel Packages
YouTube TV also offers several channel packages that can enhance your viewing experience. These packages include:
- Sports Plus: This package adds additional sports channels, including NFL RedZone and MLB.TV.
- HBO Max: This package adds access to HBO Max, a popular streaming service that offers a wide range of movies and TV shows.
- Starz: This package adds access to Starz, a premium cable channel that offers a range of movies and TV shows.
Using the DVR
The DVR (digital video recorder) is one of the most useful features on YouTube TV. With the DVR, you can record your favorite shows and movies and watch them later.
To use the DVR, follow these steps:
- Find the show or movie you want to record.
- Click on the “Record” button.
- Select the recording options, including the start and end time, and the quality of the recording.
- Click “Record” to start the recording.
Managing Your Recordings
To manage your recordings, follow these steps:
- Click on the “Library” tab.
- Select the “Recordings” section.
- Click on the recording you want to manage.
- Select the options, including “Play,” “Delete,” and “Edit.”
Recording Options
YouTube TV offers several recording options, including:
- Start and end time: You can set the start and end time of the recording.
- Quality: You can select the quality of the recording, including 1080p and 720p.
- New episodes only: You can set the DVR to only record new episodes of a show.
Searching for Content
Searching for content on YouTube TV is easy. To search for a specific show, movie, or channel, follow these steps:
- Click on the “Search” tab.
- Type in the name of the show, movie, or channel you’re looking for.
- Select the search result.
Search Filters
YouTube TV also offers several search filters that can help you narrow down your search results. These filters include:
- Genre: You can filter by genre, including comedy, drama, and action.
- Channel: You can filter by channel, including ABC, CBS, and NBC.
- Rating: You can filter by rating, including G, PG, and R.
Search Results
The search results page shows you a list of relevant shows, movies, and channels. You can select a search result to watch it or add it to your DVR.
Watching Live TV
Watching live TV on YouTube TV is easy. To watch live TV, follow these steps:
- Click on the “Live” tab.
- Select the channel you want to watch.
- Click on the “Watch” button.
Live TV Guide
The live TV guide shows you what’s currently playing on live TV. You can scroll through the guide to find a show or movie you want to watch.
Live TV Channels
YouTube TV offers a wide range of live TV channels, including local networks, sports, and news. You can select a channel to watch it or add it to your DVR.
Conclusion
Navigating YouTube TV is easy, and with this comprehensive guide, you should be able to make the most out of your viewing experience. From customizing your channel lineup to using the DVR, we’ve covered everything you need to know to get started with YouTube TV. So why wait? Sign up for YouTube TV today and start watching your favorite shows and movies.
What is YouTube TV and how does it work?
YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service that offers a wide range of channels, including local networks, sports, and news. It works by allowing users to stream live TV content over the internet, without the need for a traditional cable or satellite subscription. This means that users can watch their favorite TV shows and channels on a variety of devices, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and streaming devices like Google Chromecast and Apple TV.
To get started with YouTube TV, users simply need to sign up for an account and download the YouTube TV app on their device of choice. From there, they can browse through the available channels and start watching live TV. YouTube TV also offers a cloud DVR feature, which allows users to record their favorite shows and watch them later. This feature is included with the base subscription, and users can record as many shows as they want, with no storage limits.
What channels are available on YouTube TV?
YouTube TV offers a wide range of channels, including local networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX, as well as popular cable channels like ESPN, CNN, and HGTV. The service also includes a variety of sports channels, including NFL Network, NBA TV, and MLB Network. In addition, YouTube TV offers a range of news channels, including MSNBC, CNBC, and FOX News.
The exact channels available on YouTube TV may vary depending on the user’s location. For example, users in certain areas may have access to additional local channels or regional sports networks. YouTube TV also occasionally adds new channels to its lineup, so users may find that new channels become available over time. Users can check the YouTube TV website to see a full list of available channels in their area.
How much does YouTube TV cost?
The base subscription for YouTube TV costs $64.99 per month, which includes access to over 85 channels, as well as the cloud DVR feature. However, users can also add additional channels or features to their subscription for an extra fee. For example, users can add HBO or Showtime to their subscription for $14.99 per month, or add a sports package that includes channels like NFL RedZone and NBA League Pass.
It’s worth noting that YouTube TV occasionally offers promotions or discounts for new users, so it’s worth checking the website to see if any deals are available. Additionally, users can cancel their subscription at any time, without penalty or contract. This makes it easy to try out the service and see if it’s a good fit.
Can I watch YouTube TV on multiple devices at the same time?
Yes, YouTube TV allows users to watch on multiple devices at the same time. In fact, users can watch on up to three devices simultaneously, which makes it easy to share the service with family members or roommates. This feature is included with the base subscription, and users don’t need to pay any extra fees to watch on multiple devices.
It’s worth noting that the devices must be connected to the same internet network in order to watch on multiple devices at the same time. This means that users can’t watch on one device at home and another device on a different network, for example. However, users can watch on multiple devices on the same network, which makes it easy to share the service with others.
Does YouTube TV offer any additional features?
Yes, YouTube TV offers a range of additional features that enhance the viewing experience. For example, the service includes a cloud DVR feature that allows users to record their favorite shows and watch them later. This feature is included with the base subscription, and users can record as many shows as they want, with no storage limits.
YouTube TV also offers a feature called “Super Chat,” which allows users to pay for their favorite creators to receive a highlighted message in live chat during a stream. Additionally, the service includes a feature called “Memberships,” which allows users to support their favorite creators by paying a monthly fee in exchange for exclusive content and other perks.
Can I cancel my YouTube TV subscription at any time?
Yes, users can cancel their YouTube TV subscription at any time, without penalty or contract. This makes it easy to try out the service and see if it’s a good fit. To cancel, users simply need to go to the YouTube TV website and click on the “Cancel membership” button. The cancellation will take effect at the end of the current billing cycle, and users will not be charged again.
It’s worth noting that users can also pause their subscription if they need to take a break from the service. This feature allows users to pause their subscription for a set period of time, without canceling it entirely. This can be a good option for users who need to take a break from the service, but plan to come back to it in the future.
Is YouTube TV available on all devices?
YouTube TV is available on a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and streaming devices like Google Chromecast and Apple TV. The service is also available on gaming consoles like Xbox and PlayStation. However, the exact devices that are supported may vary depending on the user’s location and the device’s operating system.
In general, YouTube TV is available on devices that run on Android or iOS operating systems, as well as on devices that support the YouTube TV app. Users can check the YouTube TV website to see a full list of supported devices and to download the app on their device of choice.