Big changes are coming to YouTube TV in 2026. Parent company Google is moving away from its all-or-nothing subscription model, offering cheaper, genre-specific plans and new features designed to give viewers more control.
For years, YouTube TV subscribers paid one price for a large bundle of channels — whether they watched them or not.
Starting in 2026, Google will introduce new genre-based subscription plans, allowing users to choose bundles that match their viewing habits. The goal is simple: lower costs and greater flexibility.
Regardless of the plan selected, all subscribers will continue to receive core features such as unlimited DVR, multiview, family sharing, and optional add-ons like NFL Sunday Ticket and 4K Plus.
Breakdown of New YouTube TV plans
Sports Plan – $64.99/Month
The Sports Plan offers access to major broadcasters along with FS1, NBC Sports Network, and ESPN networks.
This tier is designed for fans who prioritize live games and sports coverage without paying for entertainment-heavy bundles.
Sports + News Plan – $71.99/Month
This plan includes everything in the Sports tier, plus CNBC, Fox News, MSNBC, CNN, C-SPAN, Bloomberg, and Fox Business.
It targets viewers who want both live sports and real-time news coverage.
Entertainment Plan – $54.99/Month
For movie and TV lovers, this plan includes channels such as FX, Hallmark, Comedy Central, Bravo, and Paramount.
It is positioned as the most affordable option for users focused mainly on shows and films.
News + Entertainment + Family Plan – $69.99/Month
This bundle excludes sports but includes news and entertainment programming, along with family-friendly channels like Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, National Geographic, Cartoon Network, and PBS Kids.
Google says this structure solves a long-standing issue for cord-cutters who disliked paying for channels they never watched.
Fully customizable multiview arrives
Another major upgrade in 2026 is a redesigned multiview experience.
Previously, multiview was limited mostly to sports and pre-selected channel combinations. Soon, subscribers will be able to choose up to four live channels simultaneously across different content types.
For example, users could watch a live sports game, follow breaking news, and stream a favorite TV show — all on one screen.
The four-stream limit remains, but the freedom to mix channels offers significantly more flexibility for households with varied interests.
ESPN unlimited integration
With the new Sports plan, YouTube TV will offer access to all ESPN linear channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, SEC Network, and ACC Network.
Additionally, ESPN’s expanded streaming tier, ESPN Unlimited, will integrate into YouTube TV later this fall.
Launched in August 2025, ESPN Unlimited combines the core linear TV network with digital streaming content under one subscription. While the standalone service costs $29.99 per month directly from ESPN, YouTube TV may provide better overall value when bundled with other sports content.
However, subscribers will need to wait until later this year for full integration.
App redesign and interface improvements
Google is also redesigning the YouTube TV app to align more closely with the main YouTube experience.
The updated Live Guide features a cleaner layout, clearer scheduling information, and improved navigation. Users can now add channels to their library, set reminders, and take quick actions directly from the guide.
The redesign is already rolling out on Android and iOS and will expand to smart TVs, Apple’s set-top box, and web platforms over time.
Google is expected to continue refining the experience throughout the year, possibly detailing future plans during upcoming keynote events.
What this means for subscribers
By introducing flexible bundles, customizable multiview, ESPN expansion, and interface upgrades, Google is positioning YouTube TV as a more personalized alternative to traditional cable.
The shift directly addresses customer complaints about paying for unwanted channels while maintaining premium features like unlimited DVR.
