Dec. 11, 2025, 7:19 p.m. ET
If you’ve been eyeing YouTube TV – or already subscribe – you may want to remain patient because in early 2026, the video streaming service will be unveiling some new consumer-friendly packages, including one targeting sports junkies.
YouTube TV, which is owned by Google parent company Alphabet Inc., will debut 10 new YouTube TV plans for various genres of programming, the service announced Dec. 10. YouTube TV did not announce new pricing nor list all the specific programming packages that are coming.
However, the streaming service did reveal that an upcoming YouTube TV Sports Plan would be among the new programming packages. The Sports Plan would include all of the ESPN networks, including ESPN Unlimited, as well as FS1 and NBC Sports Network. Subscribers will be able to add on more programming, such as NFL Sunday Ticket and NFL RedZone. Features will include unlimited DVR, multiview, key plays and fantasy football view.
YouTube TV and the Walt Disney Company, which is ESPN’s majority owner, on Nov. 14 resolved a two-week-long programming dispute in which ABC, ESPN and other Disney-owned channels were removed from YouTube TV. The new deal allows select Disney-owned networks to be included in various YouTube TV genre-specific packages and for the Disney+ and Hulu Bundle to be included in some YouTube subscription packages.
Competitors such as DirecTV, Fubo and Sling have offered various programming tiers to consumers.
YouTube TV’s changes come as cord-cutting continues, but at a slower pace, according to a Dec. 8 Cord-Cutting Monitor report from MoffettNathanson Research. The number of pay TV subscribers (those with cable, satellite or telco-delivered pay TV) is an estimated 43.2 million, down 21% from two years ago, the firm found. At the same time, subscriptions to streamed live TV services such as DirecTV, Fubo, Hulu Live TV, Sling and YouTube TV have grown nearly 17% to about 21.6 million homes, according to MoffettNathanson.
TV prices for cable, streaming lead to some cuts
However, consumer concerns about prices and affordability have led not only to some cord-cutters dropping traditional TV services, but also some dropping individual streaming services due to cost, a recent survey of 1,000 consumers conducted by data firm Prolific for tech site All About Cookies.
Streaming services have attempted to offer consumers more options – including lower-priced tiers with commercials – while also increasing prices. Among the most recent services hiking subscription prices are NBC’s Peacock, as well as Disney+ and Hulu. And earlier this year, YouTube TV’s monthly price increased $10 to $82.99 per month for a base plan subscription.
What to know about YouTube TV
YouTube TV ($72.99 for the first three months, then $82.99 monthly) includes more than 100 channels of local and national networks, such as ABC, CBS, NBC, ESPN, AMC, TNT, CNN, Fox News and MS Now.
You can also add on networks, including HBO Max, Starz and Paramount+ with Showtime in the Entertainment Plus package for $29.99 per month.
Subscribers will have new programming options in early 2026, Christian Oestlien, vice president and head of subscriptions for YouTube, said Dec. 10 on the YouTube Official blog.
“TV should be easy, giving viewers greater control over what they want to watch,” he said. “Our goal is to let you tailor your subscription with more options. Whether you stick with our main YouTube TV plan with 100+ channels, focus on sports, combine sports and news, or select a plan centered on family and entertainment content, subscribers will be able to easily choose the plan that works best for them.”
Mike Snider is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him at mikegsnider & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com
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