YouTube TV Adds ESPN Unlimited but Drops Tastemade and Court TV as Pricing Remains a Factor

With the NFL season underway, YouTube TV is presenting a complex value proposition for consumers. New subscribers can access NFL Sunday Ticket at a promotional rate of $30 per month, though existing users must pay the standard $47.25 per month for the same add-on.

In a significant move for sports enthusiasts, ESPN Unlimited became fully available to main YouTube TV and Sports Plan subscribers at the start of September. This inclusion, which features college football and out-of-market NHL games, marks a sharp reversal from October of last year when contract disputes led to a 15-day blackout of all Disney-owned channels.

Despite these improvements, the service still faces criticism regarding regional sports networks. Long-time Lakers fans, for instance, have noted the absence of Spectrum SportsNet, a gap that DirecTV currently fills more effectively. Many affected viewers have had to seek out Spectrum SportsNet’s standalone streaming service to watch their preferred teams.

Looking ahead, YouTube TV will remove Tastemade, Court TV, and The Young Turks from its lineup later this month. Any recorded content from these channels will also be deleted. While similar content remains accessible via free ad-supported platforms like Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, and Samsung TV Plus, the loss highlights the continuing relevance of FAST services.

For the standard $82.99 monthly plan, the library of over 100 channels remains appealing to users who prioritize cable staples such as Hallmark and Disney Channel. However, those looking to reduce costs may find the Sports + Entertainment package, which saves $11 monthly while offering more than 70 channels, to be a compelling alternative.