YouTube TV - Another Blackout - I'm over Google (Feb, 2025; Resolved)

[SyCoREAPER]

Surprise, surprise.
Google is being cheap again. Every year we go through some network being blacked out because they are too cheap to pay the fees.
Every year they increase the price.

Between all that and having to pay extra just to watch 4K or get surround sound, I'm done. Cancelled.

Read more here:

Paramount content availability - YouTube TV Help

We’re happy to share that we’ve reached a deal to continue carrying Paramount channels, including CBS, CBS Sports, Nickelodeon, and more. With this agreement, YouTube TV will continue to offer 100+ ch

support.google.com

 

[winmod21]

I'm glad we decided not to go with YTV in 2023. A choice we made because it looked as if YTV's price increases were going to continuously be on-going (same as all the other 'streaming' platforms).

So, we chose to continue paying even more, (actually much more, as in 'thru the nose' more ) by switching from DirecTV to Dish Network, in 2023, and so far, we've been very glad we did. They were running some special– where you can get their 'America's Top 200' channels for $87.99/mo. (for 36 mos/3years).
And for the record, Dish has been way way better than DTV!
Especially with regards to sports; as DTV had an asinine, complete blackout (for 13~14 years) on the Pac-12 Network, (which contributed to several of the reasons the NCAA Pac-12 Conference imploded). Hence each year we missed most of our Washington Huskies football & basketball games.
However w/Dish we were able to get all of the Pac-12 Networks games (before the implode); and now all the BIG10, all of the SEC & ACC, and most of the high-ranked BIG12 games.

Of course with all the 'extra' DVR & receiver & 'local channels' &c charges—that all satellite and cable providers charge—the monthly ended up @ $121/mo. But we're very happy with the service.

Notwithstanding that so far, we try not to notice, nor add-up, nor talk about, our monthly: Amazon Prime (the cost of which has been skyrocketing over the last 15 years , but my wife still thinks it's worth having - due to the free shipping), Netflix (temporary - just so we can rewatch the House of Cards & Better Call Saul & Madam Secretary &c, series), Peacock (mainly for FIS World Cup Skiing, and extra coverage of Olympics & golf & Pac-12/BIG10 sports), Paramount+ (can't recall why, right now , maybe Yellowstone & 1888 & 1923 ?) & Max (free for 6 months). We also had AppleTV (mainly for the 15 seasons of West Wing) but cancelled it after 3 months.

Anyhoo, due to the fact that most of the streaming platforms perpetually raise their prices , at some point we'll probably drop half our streaming subscriptions. And maybe even revisit the viability of HD OTA as well. Although I can't really imagine my Shining Bride going without her Food Network & Hallmark channels! Nor I all the live sports channels &c.

 

[notforhire]

I already informed the bride that we were canceling YTTV after the Super Bowl. We already pay for a few streaming services and hardly ever watch "TV." Adios

 

[SyCoREAPER]

I already informed the bride that we were canceling YTTV after the Super Bowl. We already pay for a few streaming services and hardly ever watch "TV." Adios

I don't like/hate sports (except F1 and GrandAM clases and up). What happened with the Superbowl? Streaming quality issues?

And fully agree. Enough services get our money. The whole idea of streaming TV was to be cheaper. Now they've managed to make bundle prices cheaper again from ISPs. Personally I don't watch TV anymore either. Cut the cord probably close to 7 years ago, 1-2 years streaming live now nothing.

I'm really complaining because I manage my parents accounts and try to keep them from getting screwed but here I'm telling them they need to get over the UI change to something else, accept the price and stop complaining to me (this is a yearly thing) or cancel Live TV.

 

[notforhire]

I don't like/hate sports (except F1 and GrandAM clases and up). What happened with the Superbowl? Streaming quality issues?

And fully agree. Enough services get our money. The whole idea of streaming TV was to be cheaper. Now they've managed to make bundle prices cheaper again from ISPs. Personally I don't watch TV anymore either. Cut the cord probably close to 7 years ago, 1-2 years streaming live now nothing.

I'm really complaining because I manage my parents accounts and try to keep them from getting screwed but here I'm telling them they need to get over the UI change to something else, accept the price and stop complaining to me (this is a yearly thing) or cancel Live TV.

no streaming issues at all. I'm not paying $85 plus per month to watch maybe 5 hours of TV per week. we can find limited series on streaming that we can binge...aka a very long movie. YTTV is simply not worth the price for me. and my bride and I can relate to being tech support for elderly parents.

 

[SyCoREAPER]

Figure I let anyone know that saw this but didn't hear, the blackout has been avoided nevertheless, Cancelled for my parents and moved them back to Hulu Live despite being the same price, it's the next closest in channels. Here's the breakdown for anyone interested (AI Generated but looks accurate).

Hulu vs Live TV - Prices​

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(Just think that's why so many of us cancelled, $35 back then..)

Hulu
May 2017: Launched at $39.99 per month.

January 2019: Increased to $44.99 per month.

December 2019: Raised to $54.99 per month.

November 2020: Price went up to $64.99 per month.

December 2021: Increased to $69.99 per month.

October 2024: The monthly cost rose to $82.99.

YT TV
April 2017: Launched at $35 per month.

March 2018: Increased to $40 per month.

April 2019: Raised to $50 per month.

June 2020: Price went up to $64.99 per month.

March 2023: Increased to $72.99 per month.

February 13, 2025: Announced a price hike to $82.99 per month.

Hulu vs Live TV - Blackouts/Removals​

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Hulu
Mid-October to December 2020: A dispute with Nexstar led to a blackout of 23 ABC local stations in markets including Nashville (WKRN), Salt Lake City (KTVX), Hartford/New Haven (WTNH), and Grand Rapids (WOTV).

August 28, 2024: NASA TV was removed from Hulu + Live TV after losing streaming rights.

YT TV
Mid-October to December 2020: A dispute with Nexstar led to a blackout of 23 ABC local stations in markets including Nashville (WKRN), Salt Lake City (KTVX), Hartford/New Haven (WTNH), and Grand Rapids (WOTV).

August 28, 2024: NASA TV was removed from Hulu + Live TV after losing streaming rights.

 

[notforhire]

my 89 year old aunt is still committed to DirecTV, while complaining about the price. I'll get her to move to Hulu or YTTV soon.