Customization is key in almost everything we buy today. No one wants to buy a standard version anymore. They want to customize their products to fit their taste and style. Even if it’s just to monogram their suitcase, it gives them a greater sense of ownership over the product. Many people are frustrated with products that they can’t customize, which is why they decide to cancel their cable TV contract.
Cable packages too often require customers to pay for channels they’re not interested in or don’t watch. Even worse, they typically require customers to pay extra for many of the channels they actually want to watch. Over the last 5-10 years, many media fans have decided they don’t want to commit to a cable package and have switched to streaming services. One of the most customizable options is YouTube TV.
YouTube TV not only offers a large number of channels to choose from with its basic plan, but also allows you to select specific standalone channels. Here is a quick guide on how to add standalone channels to YouTube TV.
What does the YouTube TV Basic plan offer?
100+ Channels
The YouTube TV Basic plan is the main option for those who want to subscribe to a YouTube TV package. This plan offers over 100 channels and allows up to six accounts under one membership. You can also stream YouTube TV on three devices simultaneously. One of the biggest perks is unlimited DVR access, which allows customers to record anything and watch it later.
If you don’t want to watch the show later, you’re in luck. You can watch it live or choose from a vast on-demand library. The basic plan offers basic cable networks like ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and PBS, as well as cable channels like AMC, Food Network, ESPN, TBS, TNT, and USA. If you have the basic plan, you can also choose from a variety of add-on channels for an additional fee. Paramount+ and Showtime, Max, Cinemax, and more can be purchased along with your subscription.
YouTube TV is available for $72.99 after an initial three-month discounted trial, and users can also choose bundles that bundle multiple add-on networks together for a set price, eliminating the need to pay the retail prices individually.
YouTube TV
- Concurrent Streams
- 3
- Number of Profiles
- 6
- Live TV
- yes
- price
- Starting at $73/month
- Free Trial
- Yes, the length varies
What standalone channels are available without the Basic plan?
A lot to offer
If you don’t want to pay $73 per month and only want to enjoy a few channels, you may be able to select them as standalone channels without purchasing the basic plan. Some channels can be purchased as standalone channels, allowing you to watch only those channels.
If it doesn’t say “Basic plan required,” you can purchase channels, streaming services, or bundles for the price listed. Some of the options you can choose from (each listed as a monthly price) are:
- Maximum — $17
- Sports Plus Package (NFL RedZone, Billiards TV, beIN SPORTS, FOX Soccer, etc.) — $11
- NBA League Pass — $15
- WNBA League Pass — $13
- G Family — $15
- Paramount+ and Showtime — $11
- STARZ — $10
- Hallmark Movies Now — $6
- Cinemax — $10
- MGM+ — $7
- FOX Nation — $6
- ScreenPicks — $3
- CuriosityStream — $5
- AMC+ — $9
- Stingray DJazz — $7
- VSiN — $4
You can find the full list of standalone channels on the official YouTube TV website.
What channels can’t be purchased as standalone channels on YouTube TV?
Not many
As you’re selecting, you’ll see “Requires Basic Plan” under certain channels in the list. These are channels that require a Basic Plan to watch. These types of channels are often bundles or specialty channels, such as NFL RedZone, Spanish Plus, Entertainment Plus, STARZ+ MGM+, etc.
Even if you don’t have the basic YouTube TV plan, there are plenty of options to choose from. The available standalone channels allow you to customize your viewing experience. This is the main benefit that YouTube TV offers to its customers, giving them only what they want.
