I used to be excited after I heard about YouTubeTV’s up to date pricing plans.
I don’t subscribe to YouTube TV for something apart from sports activities, so a slimmed-down sports activities plan at a cheaper price is totally a package deal I’d bounce at.
On paper, it is sensible for YouTube TV to interrupt out its service into smaller, à la carte packages for customers who don’t care about getting all of the channels.
Sadly, YouTube TV’s new plans spotlight an even bigger drawback for sports activities followers who minimize the twine in 2026.
Even with improved packages and suppleness, I’m paying greater than ever to look at all of the video games I used to get by means of a DirecTV plan, and there’s no aid in sight.
I’ve tried each cable various, and YouTube TV continues to be the king of cord-cutting
Here is how I make it even higher
Right here’s what YouTube TV is providing sports activities followers
No less than we’re saving some cash
I at present pay $83 a month for YouTube TV, so it’s a no brainer for me to save lots of a couple of dollars.
It’s not life-changing cash, however any likelihood to assist boring the sting of what I pay for streaming companies is welcomed.
When you’re a brand new buyer, you may get the sports activities package deal for $55 for the primary 12 months, which is an honest deal.
Present prospects, like me, pays $65 a month for the brand new plan. It’s nonetheless an $18 greenback financial savings, and I used to be getting zero worth from the opposite channels being supplied that weren’t sports-related.
I used to be a bit apprehensive after I first learn the announcement, however it seems that the sports activities channel choice is complete.
YouTube contains the 4 main networks: ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. These will get you thru a lot of the NFL season, along with loads of nationally broadcast NBA video games.
As a racing fan, I used to be happy to see FS1 and FS2 included, along with the Golf Channel.
I used to be just a little bummed that the Tennis Channel isn’t included within the sports activities package deal, however I’m keen to stay with it for almost $20 in month-to-month financial savings — particularly since each ESPN community is offered.
Sports activities leagues aren’t making it straightforward
It’s an uphill battle for sports activities followers
In an effort to develop income, sports activities leagues signed offers with any streaming service that threw cash at them. It’s almost unimaginable to look at all of the video games on your favourite crew with just one service, and it’s disappointing.
The NFL is especially egregious. The NFL Sunday Ticket package deal by means of YouTube is mind-numbingly costly. And you continue to want Amazon, Peacock, and Netflix subscriptions if you wish to watch each sport.
I signed up for a Peacock subscription years in the past to look at my Miami Dolphins get crushed within the playoffs, and it’s been a sore level ever since.
When you’re an F1 fan, you’ll want an Apple TV subscription to look at your favourite drivers and groups this 12 months.
The NBA is equally irritating. Certain, there are many video games on NBC and ESPN, however there’s additionally a Peacock unique nationwide sport on Tuesday nights, and don’t overlook the Prime Video video games.
Baseball followers aren’t any higher off, and the record goes on.
Reducing the twine wound up costing me extra
It appears unavoidable
After I left DirecTV years in the past, I used to be excited to avoid wasting cash. My invoice had bloated, and I felt there was a greater method.
YouTube TV labored out initially as a result of I used to be solely paying $50 a month, and I didn’t want a number of different streaming companies on high of that.
I might choose and select, ensuring I used to be staying inside price range and solely with stuff I’d watch — exactly how I assumed it was alleged to work.
Sadly, that didn’t final lengthy. YouTube TV creeped as much as the value it’s at now, and different streaming companies adopted go well with.
When sports activities leagues unfold their video games out throughout so many companies, it was hopeless.
I’m paying greater than I’d for a base cable package deal with a couple of sports activities networks now, and I nonetheless want the streaming companies anyway.
We have been naive to assume corporations wouldn’t ultimately discover a method to get their cash. No method would they simply allow us to run off and save by reducing the twine. It took a bit, however I’m again the place I began.
I want there have been gentle on the finish of the tunnel
Being a sports activities fan is pricey in 2026. Sadly, there’s no aid in sight. I can solely see costs going up, not down.
And I’m positive there are nonetheless methods for skilled leagues to signal rights offers that make it much more difficult to look at our favourite groups.
It appears nearly inevitable now, wanting again, however reducing the twine was all the time going to wind up costing extra — particularly for those who simply wish to watch just a little soccer.