YouTube TV Price Hike Got You Down? Time to Explore Alternatives
The recent price increase for YouTube TV, jumping from $73 to $83 per month starting January 13, 2025, is understandably causing frustration. Many subscribers are feeling like this is the final push, prompting them to seek out alternatives that offer similar channel lineups at a more palatable price. However, a direct, easy replacement isn’t readily available. The reality is that all live TV services, including traditional cable and satellite providers, are facing rising costs due to programmers demanding more money for their channels. Until the industry shifts towards more flexible and affordable bundling options, prices will likely continue their upward trajectory.
The primary alternative is to cut the cord entirely and embrace a world of individual streaming services and other options. While this approach involves compromises and requires a different mindset, the potential savings can be substantial. Here’s a breakdown of your options for navigating the post-YouTube TV landscape:
The Humble Antenna: Free Local Broadcast TV
The most cost-effective solution is an over-the-air (OTA) antenna. With a decent antenna and good signal reception, you can access major broadcast networks like ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC for free. You’ll also get PBS and a variety of subchannels that often feature classic reruns. While an antenna won’t replicate a full cable package, it provides a solid foundation for your entertainment needs. You can even use an OTA DVR to record shows for later viewing.
However, antenna performance depends heavily on your location. Generally, an indoor antenna works best within 30 miles of broadcast towers, while an outdoor antenna might reach up to 60 miles. Obstacles like buildings and terrain can also affect signal quality. Tools like Antennaweb can help you determine the stations you can receive and the type of antenna you’ll need. Expect some experimentation to find the optimal setup.
Streaming Local Channels: A Paid Alternative
If an antenna isn’t a viable option due to location or signal issues, you can stream local channels, but this usually comes with a cost.
Some network apps like NBC and ABC offer a limited selection of free content, and Paramount+ provides some free CBS programming. However, live streams of ABC and Fox are typically only available through paid TV subscriptions. Hulu offers primetime shows from both networks on demand, with subscriptions starting at $10 per month.
News Without Cable: Exploring Options
Cable news networks like CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC are generally unavailable without a traditional pay TV package. However, alternative ways to access news content exist.
Numerous free streaming news options are available, including news apps from major networks and free streaming services.
Beyond News and Sports: A World of Streaming
Outside of news and sports, most cable channels don’t offer exclusive content that isn’t also available on standalone streaming services. If you have favorite shows on YouTube TV, websites like Reelgood or MyBundle can help you find where else to stream them.
In the rare case that a show is exclusive to a cable channel (like Yellowstone’s final season on Paramount Network), you can purchase individual episodes or seasons through platforms like Amazon Video, Fandango, or Apple TV.
The Sports Dilemma: Navigating the Options
Replacing sports coverage is the most challenging aspect of cutting the cord. As of now, there’s no standalone option for watching ABC or Fox sports broadcasts without a pay TV package or an antenna. ESPN also requires a pay TV subscription, although this is expected to change in 2025. The same goes for FS1, FS2, and college conference networks like SEC Network and Big Ten Network.
You can explore sports-specific streaming services,
Live TV Streaming Services: Sling TV and Hulu + Live TV
For a more complete live TV experience at a lower price than YouTube TV, Sling TV is worth considering. It offers smaller bundles of pay TV channels that still include major sports networks. Sling offers three base packages.
However, Sling’s local channel coverage is limited, with ABC, Fox, and NBC available only in select markets, and CBS absent entirely. An OTA antenna can complement Sling TV to fill in these gaps.
Hulu + Live TV is another option. While it’s priced similarly to the upcoming YouTube TV increase ($83 per month), it includes the Disney Bundle (Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu’s on-demand library) at no additional cost. If you already subscribe to any of these services, switching to Hulu + Live TV could save you money.
Skinny Bundles: TV Without Sports or Local Channels
You might also consider TV packages that exclude sports and local channels. Because these packages omit the most expensive content, they are significantly cheaper.
The A La Carte Reality: It Adds Up
If you calculate the cost of individual streaming subscriptions, you might find that it exceeds the price of YouTube TV or even traditional cable. This is a common observation.
However, unbundling your TV options allows you to decide what’s truly worth paying for. Standalone services often offer seasonal sales, discounts, and other promotions that can offset the cost of subscribing to multiple services.
Embracing the Unbundled Mindset
When you cancel a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV, you’re adopting a different approach. You’re accepting that you won’t have access to everything. The sooner you realize you weren’t watching it all anyway, the easier it becomes to embrace the unbundled world of streaming.
