YouTube is using Valentine’s Day as the opportunistic moment to make a number of announcements relating to the sweetening of its live and on-demand TV service, YouTube TV. The first, and likely most relevant announcement, is how YouTube TV is getting a number of new channels, including access to Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, CNN, TBS, TNT, truTV, and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). All of which are now live for current users of the service. In addition. YouTube has also confirmed both NBA TV and MLB Network will be added to the main package within the next few weeks, along with the opportunity (within the next few months) to tune in to NBA League Pass or MLB.TV as a paid-for add-on.
What’s more, with the exception of NBA League Pass and MLB.TV the new additions are not coming with any additional costs associated, with YouTube confirming the one and only available package will remain priced at $35 per month. Although the price is only relevant to existing customers and those who sign up to the service within the next few weeks. As along with the channel expansion YouTube has announced that starting from March 13 the cost of the baseline package will increase to $40 per month. Therefore March 13 is currently the deadline for those who would like to sign up to the service, gain access to the new channels, while also locking in the $35 monthly cost.
As well as expanding the channel lineup YouTube has also announced greater availability of YouTube TV within the US in general. This is a service that is still technically in beta and one which has yet to make it to a number of locations in the US. Today’s announcement, however, looks to confirm that in the coming weeks YouTube TV will become available in the likes of Dayton, Honolulu, Lexington, Mobile, Richmond, and Syracuse. An expansion which YouTube states will mean YouTube TV will be available “to over 85 percent of U.S. households.” Besides access to over 50 networks, YouTube TV also offers cloud DVR (with no limits), the option to share a single subscription with up to six people, and like most new-age live TV services utilizes a no-commitment monthly subscription.