If you’ve been hanging onto your YouTube TV subscription despite the rising costs, relief might finally be on the way. A new report suggests that Google is looking to break up its massive channel lineup into smaller, more affordable packages.
What might be changing
YouTube TV is easily one of the smoothest live TV experiences out there, but let's be real—the price has gotten out of hand. What started as a steal at $35 a month back in 2017 has ballooned to a wallet-draining $83 for the base plan. If you’ve been feeling the pinch, a recent report indicates that the platform might finally introduce lower-cost "skinny bundles" as early as next year.
Currently, the service forces you into a "take it or leave it" situation with a single plan offering over 100 channels. The rumors point to a shift where you could pick specific genres. The most exciting rumor? A dedicated sports package. Imagine snagging just the essentials like NBC Sports, Fox Sports, and ESPN without paying for a mountain of reality TV channels you never touch. It’s the kind of flexibility users have been begging for.
Why this matters
ESPN might be part of one of these rumored 'sports packages'. | Image credit — ESPN
The streaming landscape is becoming very confusing, looking more like the cable bundles we all tried to escape. Competitors like Sling TV figured this out ages ago. Sling has long offered its split "Orange" and "Blue" packages, allowing users to prioritize sports and family content (Orange) or news and entertainment (Blue) for roughly half the price of YouTube TV. By refusing to unbundle, Google has essentially been telling budget-conscious cord-cutters to go elsewhere.
This move is important because it signals that the $80+ price point is hitting a ceiling. People are tired of subsidizing content they don't watch. If Google actually pulls this off, it puts them in direct competition not just with cable, but with the cheaper, flexible streaming options that have been eating their lunch. It’s a necessary evolution if they want to keep growing in a market where subscription fatigue is very real.
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Would you go back to YouTube TV if they offered smaller, cheaper, packages including a sports-centered one?
Yes, if the price and channel selection is right.
66.67%
No, YouTube TV lost me forever.
33.33%
Finally making sense
Honestly, if the rumors turn out to be true, it’s about time. I’ve always loved YouTube TV’s unlimited DVR and interface, but paying over eighty bucks just to watch a few games feels like highway robbery. If they can offer a sports-centric tier that cuts out the fluff, I think a lot of churned subscribers would come running back.
However, I’m keeping my expectations in check. Networks are notorious for forcing providers to bundle unpopular channels with the hits, so seeing how Google navigates those contracts will be interesting. Would I buy a stripped-down package? In a heartbeat. But until we see official pricing, take this report with a grain of salt. It sounds great, but we’ll believe it when we see the "subscribe" button.
Johanna 'Jojo the Techie' is a skilled mobile technology expert with over 15 years of hands-on experience, specializing in the Google ecosystem and Pixel devices. Known for her user-friendly approach, she leverages her vast tech support background to provide accessible and insightful coverage on latest technology trends. As a recognized thought leader and former member of #TeamPixel, Johanna ensures she stays at the forefront of Google services and products, making her a reliable source for all things Pixel and ChromeOS.
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