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It’s interesting how the world has gone through different phases with TV entertainment. While cable dominated the market in the pre-and-early internet age, it soon fell out of favor for on-demand streaming services like Netflix and Hulu.
Things were great for a while, with people able to watch high-quality programs in one location. However, good things never last forever, and with time, different publishers and services bought up the rights to shows and programs.
This made it so that a new show that seemed interesting was on another platform than the one you were on. To watch it, you would need to subscribe to their platform. Slowly, this fracturing of channels has increased, and the wheel turns once more now.
In this article, let us look at one solution, which comes in the form of YouTube TV.
What is YouTube TV?
If this is the first time you have heard of the service, you might think it involves watching YouTube videos on TV. If it were limited to that, it would certainly be disappointing. However, YouTube TV is a streaming service that was launched in 2017.
Upon subscribing, people had access to a wide range of typical cable channels. Naturally, this included major networks like ABC, Fox, NBC, and CBS. You also had access to popular cable channels like ESPN, CNN, and TNT. With time, the number of channels offered by YouTube TV increased to over 100.
They also boast no hidden fees in the form of box rentals, DVR fees, broadcast fees, or cancellation fees. When you think of it, the cable era was quite fee-heavy.
How Does YouTube TV Compare to Cable?
There are a number of areas where YouTube TV differs from conventional cable. For one, there is no cable box or installation. This is because YouTube TV operates completely over the internet. In other words, the moment you sign up for the service, you can start watching content immediately.
It is also a far more flexible platform than cable, allowing people to watch content across several devices. One of the best benefits that draws in a lot of people is Cloud DVR. Cable always had you worrying if you were going to run out of storage if you were recording shows.
This is no longer the case. With YouTube TV, users no longer have to care about storage limitations, and they can also store content for up to nine months.
According to WOW!, you can add the NFL Sunday Ticket to your YouTube TV subscription and enjoy out-of-market Sunday games. For sports fans, this is an incredibly valuable feature that sells subscriptions like hotcakes.
Another way that YouTube TV differs from cable is in terms of cost and contracts. The fee structure is markedly more transparent, and you only pay a monthly fee. You are not locked into long-term contracts, and you can pause or cancel your subscription any time you want.
Lastly, on-demand content seals the deal for most people. Not only do you have access to scheduled programming like cable, but you can also access a large library of movies, shows, and documentaries. This gives users the best of both worlds when it comes to TV entertainment.
Do YouTube TV Bundles Exist, and How Are They Useful?
Yes, many ISPs offer YouTube TV as part of a package bundle that also includes a specific internet package. These packages make it super convenient for people who are tired of having to manage multiple subscriptions. It is far easier to make one payment that pays for both your internet plan and your TV channels.
In the case of YouTube TV, these bundles are more helpful than you might think. This is because watching TV on YouTube requires an internet connection. It’s easy to forget this aspect and assume that just because you have a subscription, the channels will be available all the time.
You essentially need an internet connection to watch YouTube TV. They also come with exclusive features like unlimited data, free lifetime modem rentals, different modem options, and paperless billing.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is YouTube TV easy for parents and older people to use?
Yes, the layout is surprisingly straightforward, and if your parents are used to working with conventional cable, they should be fine. Navigation is simple, with clear menus and well-organized sections. They can even watch YouTube TV on their phones or tablets if they wish to.
2. What types of plans exist?
YouTube TV offers two other plans besides the base plan. This includes the Spanish plan, which provides users with over 30 Spanish channels. Users also have the option to pay for just a few networks in a pick-and-choose manner. This allows for true customization, which a lot of people like.
3. What is the image quality like?
You won’t have to worry about picture clarity with YouTube TV. You can upgrade to the 4K package if your TV supports it, and you will be able to enjoy 4K content. Of course, for many channels, the image quality output is controlled by the source.
This means you might have to deal with 720p content on most streaming channels. However, 1080p and higher quality will be available for most on-demand content.
Conclusion
YouTube TV is a fantastic option for people who want to enjoy the old-school TV experience. It’s great because you get to merge the modern, on-demand style with classic cable TV.
When you consider that new users have discounted rates and even a free trial, giving it a try is a no-brainer.
