History of YouTube TV in Timeline

YouTube TV is a subscription-based streaming service launched in 2017 by YouTube (a Google subsidiary). As a virtual multichannel video programming distributor, it provides live and on-demand content from over 100 TV networks and 30+ OTT services. Subscribers gain access to linear channel feeds, as well as a cloud DVR for recording content.

February 28, 2017: YouTube TV Announced

On February 28, 2017, Alphabet Inc. announced YouTube TV, an American subscription over-the-top streaming television service operated by YouTube, a subsidiary of Google. The service offers live linear channel feeds and on-demand content.

2017: YouTube TV Adds MLB Network and Regional Streaming Rights

In 2017, YouTube TV added MLB Network and entered into regional streaming rights deals with two Major League Soccer clubs, Seattle Sounders FC and Los Angeles FC.

February 2018: YouTube TV Adds Turner Broadcasting System's Cable Networks

In February 2018, YouTube TV began carrying the Time Warner–owned Turner Broadcasting System's cable networks (including TBS, TNT, CNN and Cartoon Network).

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March 2018: YouTube TV Price Increase

In March 2018, YouTube TV increased its monthly price for the first time, from $34.99 to $39.99, with no grandfathering or opt-out available. This price increase coincided with the addition of NBA TV and MLB Network.

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June 19, 2018: YouTube TV Adds Starz as a Premium Add-on

On June 19, 2018, YouTube TV began offering Starz as a premium add-on, containing linear feeds of the six Starz and eight Starz Encore channels.

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January 2019: YouTube TV Expands Coverage

By January 2019, YouTube TV expanded to cover 98% of U.S. households.

March 2019: YouTube TV Available in All American Television Markets

In March 2019, YouTube TV launched in Glendive, Montana, making the service available in all 210 American television markets.

April 10, 2019: YouTube TV Adds Discovery, Inc. Networks and Increases Price

On April 10, 2019, YouTube TV added nine networks owned by Discovery, Inc., bringing the service's lineup up to 70 channels. Simultaneously, the service announced a second monthly price increase, from $39.99 to $49.99, without grandfathering existing customers or allowing them to opt out.

July 2019: YouTube TV Signs Deal with PBS

In July 2019, YouTube TV announced it had signed a multi-year deal with PBS to allow carriage of live streams of the public broadcaster's member stations and PBS Kids Channel beginning as early as the fourth quarter of 2019.

December 15, 2019: PBS Affiliate Stations Added to YouTube TV

On December 15, 2019, the first PBS affiliate stations were added to YouTube TV.

February 20, 2020: YouTube TV Reaches Agreement with WarnerMedia for HBO and Cinemax

On February 20, 2020, YouTube TV reached an agreement with WarnerMedia (now Warner Bros. Discovery) to carry HBO and Cinemax as add-ons, and allowing access to the conglomerate's HBO Max streaming service, with a containing HBO subscription.

February 28, 2020: YouTube TV and Sinclair Reach Interim Agreement

On February 28, 2020, YouTube TV announced that it had reached an interim agreement with Sinclair Broadcast Group to continue offering the regional sports networks while negotiations are under way. The Sinclair Broadcast Group had threatened to pull the channels due to high carriage fees.

March 5, 2020: YouTube TV and Sinclair Reach New Deal

On March 5, 2020, YouTube TV and Sinclair reached a new deal to continue carrying all the Fox RSNs except three – the YES Network, Fox Sports Prime Ticket and Fox Sports West.

May 2020: YouTube TV Expands Deal with ViacomCBS

In May 2020, YouTube TV reached an expanded, multi-year deal with ViacomCBS (now Paramount Global) to add the company's major cable networks, which were notably absent since the streamer's launch. The deal also entailed a continued commitment to distribute several other ViacomCBS-owned networks.

September 2020: YouTube TV Adds NFL Network and Launches Sports Plus Add-on

In September 2020, YouTube TV added the NFL Network to its base lineup and announced the launch of a Sports Plus add-on package, which includes premium sports networks such as NFL RedZone, MavTV, GolTV, Fox Soccer Plus, Stadium and TVG for an additional cost.

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October 1, 2020: YouTube TV Drops Sinclair Regional Sports Networks

On October 1, 2020, the networks (one of which was carrying the Bally Sports moniker now) were pulled off the service after YouTube TV and Sinclair could not come to a renegotiation agreement. The same month, YouTube TV dropped NESN.

December 1, 2020: YouTube TV Agrees to Carry NewsNation

On December 1, 2020, YouTube TV announced an agreement to carry Nexstar Media Group's NewsNation (the former WGN America) beginning in January 2021.

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January 2021: YouTube TV Begins Carrying NewsNation

In January 2021, YouTube TV began carrying Nexstar Media Group's NewsNation.

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February 2021: YouTube TV Launches "Entertainment Plus" Add-on

In February 2021, YouTube TV launched its “Entertainment Plus” add-on, an optional discount bundle consisting of the HBO Max, Showtime and Starz premium add-ons, available for $29.99 per month.

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March 16, 2021: YouTube TV Adds More ViacomCBS-Owned Networks

On March 16, 2021, YouTube TV announced that seven additional ViacomCBS-owned networks would be added to the lineup.

September 2, 2021: YouTube TV Adds More Channels to Sports Plus Add-on Tier

On September 2, 2021, YouTube TV announced that BeIN Sports, Outside TV, VSiN and several other niche sports channels would be added to its Sports Plus add-on tier, effective September 8.

December 2021: YouTube TV Dispute with Disney

In December 2021, YouTube TV had a contract dispute with The Walt Disney Company. Customers were warned that ABC, Disney Channel, ESPN, Freeform, FX, National Geographic, and other Disney-owned networks might be removed if an agreement wasn't reached.

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May 2022: YouTube TV Launches Spanish-Language Base Plan and Add-on

In May 2022, YouTube TV launched a secondary Spanish-language base plan aimed at Hispanic and Latino customers, and a complimentary "Spanish Plus" add-on; the "Spanish Plan", available for $34.99 per month, consists of 28 Spanish-language channels.

September 2022: YouTube TV Allows Subscribers to Purchase Premium Add-ons Without Base Plan

In September 2022, YouTube TV began allowing subscribers the option of purchasing its premium add-ons without requiring signing up for the 85-channel base plan.

December 2022: YouTube TV Becomes Exclusive Provider of NFL Sunday Ticket

In December 2022, YouTube TV was named the exclusive provider of NFL Sunday Ticket beginning with the 2023 NFL season, replacing DirecTV, which had carried the package since its 1994 inception.

January 2023: MLB Network Pulled From YouTube TV

In January 2023, MLB Network was removed from YouTube TV due to a failure to reach a contract renewal agreement.

January 31, 2023: YouTube TV Drops MLB Network

On January 31, 2023, YouTube TV notified subscribers that it was dropping MLB Network after the company was unable to reach a new agreement with the channel for continued carriage.

March 16, 2023: YouTube TV Increased Price for New Members

On March 16, 2023, YouTube TV increased the price from $64.99 to $72.99 per month for new members.

April 18, 2023: YouTube TV Increased Price for Existing Members

On April 18, 2023, YouTube TV increased the price from $64.99 to $72.99 per month for existing members who subscribed to YouTube TV.

May 17, 2023: YouTube TV Suffers Glitch During NBA Playoff Game

On May 17, 2023, YouTube TV received backlash after a glitch that made many channels unavailable for several hours, including TNT, who were airing an NBA playoff game between the Boston Celtics & Miami Heat. Subscribers were unable to watch the ending of the game.

August 16, 2023: NFL Sunday Ticket Officially Launched on YouTube TV and YouTube's Primetime Channels Store

On August 16, 2023, NFL Sunday Ticket officially launched as a standalone add-on on both YouTube TV and YouTube's Primetime Channels store.

November 18, 2023: KTVK Pulled Off YouTube TV in Phoenix

On November 18, 2023, KTVK, a local Phoenix, Arizona television station, was removed from YouTube TV due to a dispute with Gray Television, KTVK's parent company. This left viewers unable to watch most locally televised Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury basketball games not aired on TNT, ESPN, or ABC.

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December 12, 2023: YouTube TV Converts HBO and HBO Max add-ons into Max offering

On December 12, 2023, the separate HBO and HBO Max linear/VOD add-ons were converted into a singular Max offering that includes access to Max's ad-free tier, and live feeds of CNN Max and Bleacher Report.

February 9, 2024: YouTube TV Subscriber Count

As of February 9, 2024, YouTube TV has over 8 million subscribers.

February 22, 2024: YouTube TV Adds 18 Channels from Zee Entertainment

On February 22, 2024, YouTube TV added 18 channels from Zee Entertainment.

August 8, 2024: YouTube TV Offers Filipino Plus Add-on Packages

On August 8, 2024, YouTube TV began offering Filipino Plus add-on packages featuring ABS-CBN's TFC along with GMA Network's GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV and GMA News TV.

December 12, 2024: Google Announces Price Increase for YouTube TV

On December 12, 2024, Google announced that its price has gone up again, this time from $72.99 to $82.99 a month effective immediately for new customers and beginning on January 13, 2025 for existing customers.

February 12, 2025: YouTube TV Dispute with Paramount Global

On February 12, 2025, YouTube TV entered a contract dispute with Paramount Global. Customers were warned that CBS, Nickelodeon, MTV, Paramount+ with Showtime, BET, Comedy Central, and other Paramount-owned networks might be removed if a new agreement was not reached by February 13.

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