YouTube TV is no longer the bargain it was when it launched in 2017.
Google announced on Wednesday it's increasing the monthly price of YouTube TV from $39.99 to $49.99. And users billed through Apple will pay $54.99 per month.
The price hike is effective immediately for all new subscribers. However, existing customers will see the price increase on their next billing cycle after May 13.
Jacking up the monthly cost of YouTube TV surely won't sit well with customers, but it's not all bad news.
In addition to the existing 70+ live TV networks and cloud DVR, YouTube TV's adding eight Discovery channels, including the Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, and MotorTrend. YouTube TV also now includes EPIX.
Later this year, YouTube TV subscribers will also get the Oprah Winfrey Network.
YouTube TV launched in 2017 as a new way to ditch cable, and as a solid alternative to other TV streaming services like Sling TV, DirecTV Now and PlayStation Vue.
For $35, this reporter praised YouTube TV for its simplicity, solid channel selection, and unlimited cloud DVR. I called it a "robust and modern way to watch live TV" in my review.
And while more channels and enhanced features have been added to YouTube TV since then, the monthly cost keeps going up.
Thirty-five bucks was a steal. Even at $40, YouTube TV was a good deal. But at $50 a month, I'm no longer so sure if YouTube TV is a great value anymore. Add on a couple of extra "add-on channels" such as Showtime and you could end up paying as much as you would've for cable and defeating the whole point of cutting the cord in the first place.
