YouTube TV Sports Only Package Review: Is It Worth It for Fans?

YouTube TV recently revealed that they will be introducing a sports-only package, as part of a series of skinny bundles set to launch this year. The goal is to give viewers a more affordable option compared to the standard $82.99 plan, where they pay only for the channels they want to watch.

Initially, the suggested price for the sports package was around $45 per month. This proposed bundle includes major networks such as ABC, NBC, Fox, CBS, and ESPN. Interestingly, these same networks can already be accessed individually through their streaming services for roughly $60 per month in total.

If we break it down further:
– ESPN/Fox One bundle: $39.99 per month.
– Peacock: $10.99 per month.
– Paramount+: $8.99 per month.

It is worth noting that these standalone services offer more than just sports content. For example, the ESPN and Fox One bundle includes access to Fox News, a highly watched cable channel. Both Peacock and Paramount+ boast impressive libraries of original shows that are not available on YouTube TV.

Despite these offerings, YouTube TV subscribers will not have access to ESPN Unlimited, which hosts premium live WWE events until the fall, well after WrestleMania 42 in April. On the other hand, subscribers to the ESPN and Fox One bundle will have this benefit.

Surprisingly, Google announced that the YouTube TV Sports Plan will cost $64.99 per month. This price point is higher than subscribing to the same channels separately, and it offers fewer features and content in comparison.

Moreover, many sports fans find it necessary to add the 4K Plus option for an additional $9.99 per month to watch games in high definition and stream on multiple devices simultaneously. This would bring the total cost to approximately $75 per month.

Given this, it seems that there may be limited motivation to subscribe to this package, especially if your smart TV already supports the networks included as downloadable apps.

Looking ahead, YouTube may attempt to justify the cost by adding exclusive sports content. In a recent statement, YouTube’s vice president of subscription products expressed interest in carrying more NFL games. However, it is unlikely that these games, if acquired, would be placed behind YouTube TV’s paywall, as demonstrated by last season’s free airing of a Chiefs vs. Chargers game on the main YouTube platform.

Ultimately, it appears that YouTube’s sports package may not offer substantial value. The same sentiment extends to the other skinny bundles YouTube TV will introduce alongside their Sports Plan, including the Sports + News Plan ($71.99/month), Entertainment Plan ($54.99/month), and News + Entertainment + Family Plan ($69.99/month).

It raises the question: wasn’t streaming supposed to be a more cost-effective alternative to cable?