Unlike the free YouTube you know so well, populated by cat videos, how-tos and myriad independent channels and shows, YouTube TV is a direct competitor to cable TV — and you’ll have to pay for it. In return you get live local TV channels like ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC as well as cable stalwarts like ESPN, the Disney Channel, Fox News and Bravo. It’s only available in five US metropolitan areas for now.
Compared to cable, the selection has some obvious holes. There’s no CNN or TNT, no Comedy Central or HGTV, no Lifetime or MTV. YouTube gets credit for local channels, sports and Bravo, but for many people that’s just not enough for the price.
YouTube TV has some promising advantages, including a great cloud DVR and tight integration with YouTube itself, but it needs to add cities, channels and TV devices before it can compete against cable or other live TV services, particularly PlayStation Vue, my current favorite.
