With YouTube TV, subscribers will be able to choose from “more than 10 genre packages,” including ESPN’s sports plan, rather than a basic plan with more than 100 channels.
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If you’ve been keeping an eye on YouTube TV or have already subscribed, you might want to be patient, as the video streaming service is expected to announce some new packages for consumers in early 2026, including one aimed at sports junkies.
YouTube TV, owned by Google’s parent company Alphabet Inc., will debut 10 new YouTube TV plans that will cover programming from a variety of genres, the service announced on Dec. 10. YouTube TV has not announced new pricing or listed all the specific programming packages it will offer in the future.
However, the streaming service has revealed that its upcoming YouTube TV Sports plans will be included in the new programming package. The sports plan includes all ESPN networks, including ESPN Unlimited, FS1, and NBC Sports Network. Subscribers will be able to add more programs, including NFL Sunday Ticket and NFL RedZone. Features include unlimited DVR, multi-view, key plays, and fantasy football views.
The Walt Disney Company, majority shareholder of YouTube TV and ESPN, on November 14 resolved a two-week programming dispute that resulted in ABC, ESPN and other Disney-owned channels being removed from YouTube TV. The new deal will now include select Disney-owned networks in various YouTube TV genre-specific packages, and Disney+ and Hulu bundles will now be included in some YouTube subscription packages.
Competitors such as DirecTV, Fubo, and Sling offer different programming tiers to consumers.
According to MoffettNathanson Research’s Dec. 8 Cord Cutting Monitor report, changes to YouTube TV will come as cord cutting continues, but at a slower pace. According to the company’s research, the number of pay-TV subscribers (subscribers to pay TV distributed by cable, satellite or phone companies) is estimated at 43.2 million, down 21% from two years ago. At the same time, the number of subscribers to streaming live TV services such as DirecTV, Fubo, Hulu Live TV, Sling and YouTube TV increased nearly 17% to about 21.6 million households, according to Moffett-Nathanson.
Some cable TV and streaming prices will be lowered.
But consumer concerns about price and affordability are causing some cord-cutters, as well as others, to abandon individual streaming services due to cost, a recent survey of 1,000 consumers conducted by data company Prolific for the technology site All About Cookies found.
Streaming services are trying to offer consumers more choice, including lower price points with commercials, while raising prices. Recent services that have increased subscription prices include NBC’s Peacock, as well as Disney+ and Hulu. And earlier this year, YouTube TV’s monthly price increased by $10 for a basic plan subscription to $82.99 per month.
What you need to know about YouTube TV
YouTube TV ($72.99 for the first three months, then $82.99 per month) includes more than 100 channels from local and national networks, including ABC, CBS, NBC, ESPN, AMC, TNT, CNN, Fox News, and MS Now.
You can also add Showtime to networks like HBO Max, Starz, and Paramount+ with the Entertainment Plus package for $29.99 per month.
Christian Oestlien, YouTube’s vice president and head of subscriptions, said on the official YouTube blog on December 10 that subscribers will receive new programming options in early 2026.
“TV should be easy and give viewers more control over what they want to see,” he said. “Our goal is to give subscribers more options to customize their subscription. Whether they stick with the main YouTube TV plan with over 100 channels, choose a sports focus, a combination of sports and news, or a plan centered around family and entertainment content, subscribers will now be able to easily choose the plan that’s right for them.”
Mike Snyder is a national trends news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, and X, and email him at: mike snyder & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com
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