15 Cons of YouTube TV (Review 2024)

Hey there folks! Let’s talk straight about YouTube TV, the poster child of the cord-cutting movement. It’s time to shed light on some downsides you should be aware of. While it may have its highlights let’s dig into why it might not live up to all the hype. Buckle up because we’re diving deep.

If after reading all these cons, you still want to use it, congratulations! You’re making a well-informed decision, and you won’t regret it!

Rising Costs: A Hit on Your Wallet

First, let’s discuss money matters. When I first signed up for YouTube TV the pricing was reasonable. Forward a bit and we’ve seen more price increases than I can keep track of. The base subscription now stands at $72.99 per month – that’s right $72.99!

Compared to TV streaming options out there, it feels like they’re draining my wallet. With those discounts for the first three months, the regular rate still hurts. The cost has more than doubled since its debut in 2017. As of March 2023, the base plan costs $72.99 per month which could be steep for some users. Additional add-ons, like sports packages, can also drive up the expense.

Limited Channel Variety: Glaring Oversights

At that price point you’d assume the channel lineup would be top notch right? Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Despite offering over 100 channels there are gaps, regional sports networks are often missing in action. Prominent channels like A&E, Lifetime, and the History Channel are nowhere to be seen. It’s like going to a buffet and finding no dessert. This absence is especially noticeable for sports enthusiasts who end up missing out on games and specialized channels on other platforms.

User Interface: Chaotic and Confusing

Navigating through YouTube TV can feel like trying to solve a puzzle with pieces missing. The interface is cluttered making it a challenge to find what you’re looking for. It’s meant to be user-friendly. Ends up being quite chaotic at times. I’ve spent time than I’d like to admit trying to locate live content. Considering Google’s reputation as a tech giant one would expect a smoother user experience. The cluttered interface turns what should be an effortless process into a bit of a hassle.

DVR Restrictions: Endless yet Unwieldy

Unlimited DVR storage sounds appealing until you actually use it. The system for managing recordings is frankly disorganized. Trying to delete episodes from a series? Good luck with that! The interface is confusing turning the DVR feature into more of a nuisance, than an asset.
Users have raised concerns, about how the recorded content is organized and managed. Although the DVR provides storage some users may find the interface and functionality not as user-friendly.

Quality and Stability of Streaming: A Mixed Experience

The streaming quality has been a point of contention. Most content streams at 720p, which is disappointing for a service with prices. Buffering is an issue during busy hours. Drops in resolution and unstable streaming are occurrences leading to a viewing experience. While some content is available in 1080p the inconsistent streaming quality could be a deal breaker.

Device Compatibility: Inconsistent Performance

Compatibility with devices should be straightforward. YouTube TV falls short here as well. Some smart TVs and streaming devices do not work well with the service. It’s already 2024. These issues persist. Limited support for TVs and streaming devices can create difficulties, in accessing content. It’s annoying when you can’t watch your shows on your screen.

Advertisements: Excessive and Unskippable

Let’s talk about ads – there are plenty of them. On-demand content comes with a number of ads that cannot be skipped.

Paying such a price, for this service feels like a letdown with all the ads. It’s like you’re opting for premium but getting something basic. Users find the ad frequency overwhelming given the subscription fee they pay. The presence of ads that cannot be skipped in on-demand content significantly takes away from the enjoyment of watching.

Expensive Service: Pricey and More

Let’s talk about the cost, which is a concern. The base price of $72.99 per month is quite high especially when you factor in charges for features like NFL Sunday Ticket and 4K streaming. For households needing more than three streams at once an additional $10 per month is necessary. This can make the service too costly when compared to competitors offering value at lower prices. Having to pay extra for over three streams ($10/month) can be restricting for bigger households.

Limited 4K Content: Not Justifying the Cost

Regarding 4K content, there isn’t much available at this resolution. The added cost, for 4K doesn’t seem worthwhile as it doesn’t offer value in return. If you’re hoping for a collection of 4K content you might end up feeling let down. The absence of 4K streaming, in the plan is quite disappointing for users like me who value high visual quality.

Missing Key Channels: A Letdown

Let’s talk about channels. Some important ones are simply not there. Known networks such as A&E, Lifetime, and the History Channel are missing, pushing users to seek alternatives. Considering the price one would expect a channel lineup. That is not the case. The lack of an individual channel selection system means users end up paying for channels they might not even want.

Family Sharing Restrictions: Overly Restrictive

When it comes to family sharing on YouTube TV there are some stumbling blocks. Google’s strict rules about family members residing in the household can be quite bothersome. If you intend to share with family or friends you’re out of luck. Google strictly enforces the rule that family members must live under one roof. Dealing with issues related to sharing outside your home and having to log in frequently can be quite frustrating.

Recording Limitations: Unclear and Cluttered

Although having storage on DVR sounds great at a glance it’s a different story when you encounter its limitations. Recordings expire after nine months. Navigating through the interface can be confusing. The mix-up of recorded content with, on-demand options creates a layout that’s hard to manage. Users are unable to remove episodes from a series recording. The interface may seem cluttered at times due, to the control over the DVR organization.

Advertisements in On-Demand Content: Paying More for Increased Ad Viewing

On-demand content often includes a barrage of ads which can be quite frustrating especially when you’re shelling out an amount for the service. It gives off a bait-and-switch vibe. Diminishes the viewing experience. The presence of ads in on-demand content only escapable by creating recordings feels like a penalty for not watching

Content Restrictions: A Surplus of Fluff Over Substance

Despite offering channels YouTube TV doesn’t always deliver top-notch content quality. Many channels feature shows and low-budget reality programs. If you’re accustomed to the quality on on-demand content on platforms like Netflix you might perceive YouTube TV as lacking in comparison. While the base subscription provides access to, over 100 channels several entertainment networks included are saturated with reruns and low-budget reality programs.

Subscription Flexibility Woes: More Trouble Than It’s Worth

Requiring each family member to have a Google account presents another source of frustration. Its. Burdensome.

Moreover, it’s frustrating to have to shell out cash for, then three streams at once especially for bigger families. Despite the pricing, the total bill can be steep for users who require add-ons. The requirement of a Google account for each family member can feel constricting.

Conclusion

So, is it really worth it? Well, when you look at YouTube TV with all its features it falls short in crucial aspects. With price increases and a restricted channel lineup along with an interface and streaming glitches, it fails to deliver on its promise of seamless viewing.

Then simplifying your entertainment routine it often ends up causing more hassle than convenience. Before diving in headfirst consider these factors carefully because YouTube TV may not be the saving grace in streaming that it claims to be.

Notably the price has significantly surged from $35 in 2017 to $73 in 2023. Users find themselves paying for sports channels and other content they may not even watch. Additionally having to pay extra for three streams at an extra $10 per month) can pose limitations, for larger households.

However, if after reading all these cons, you still want to buy the product, congratulations! You’re making a well-informed decision, and you won’t regret your purchase.

Reference:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Epe_8NMQ4ng&pp=ygUReW91dHViZSB0diByZXZpZXc%3D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elnwjE31LPA&pp=ygUReW91dHViZSB0diByZXZpZXc%3D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoGSniFKDO8&pp=ygUReW91dHViZSB0diByZXZpZXc%3D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iKrdZZByrE&pp=ygUReW91dHViZSB0diByZXZpZXc%3D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjxtTB7af7A&pp=ygUReW91dHViZSB0diByZXZpZXc%3D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEwsHHCIw1M&pp=ygUReW91dHViZSB0diByZXZpZXc%3D
https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/youtube-tv-review-the-best-premium-live-tv-streaming-service/
https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/youtube-tv
https://www.usnews.com/360-reviews/technology/streaming-services/youtube-tv
https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/youtube-tv