YouTube TV 4K Upgrade: Cost, Offline Viewing & Details

YouTube TV Enhancements Ahead of the Tokyo Olympics

With the Tokyo Olympics rapidly approaching – less than one month remains – streaming services such as YouTube TV are actively seeking to attract new users interested in watching the summer games. These improvements to YouTube TV, however, extend beyond just Olympic coverage, incorporating both audio and video enhancements.

New 4K Plus Add-on

YouTube TV has announced a new 4K Plus add-on package. This package introduces several key features, including offline downloads, 5.1 Dolby audio support, and tools designed to improve the live sports viewing experience. These features were initially previewed back in February.

Pricing and Value

YouTube TV already represents a relatively expensive option in the streaming market. At a base price of $64.99 per month, the cost savings compared to traditional cable television may be minimal. Hulu + Live TV shares the same base price, but includes Disney+ and ESPN+ for a combined $72.99 monthly fee.

For those seeking superior video quality, the 4K Plus add-on is available for an additional $19.99 per month, bringing the total monthly cost to $84.98.

Offline Downloads and Pricing Structure

The 4K Plus package also enables subscribers to download content from the DVR for offline viewing – a feature currently unavailable with the standard $64.99 subscription. A free one-month trial is offered, followed by a promotional rate of $9.99 per month for one year, before increasing to the full price of $19.99. This pricing model aligns with YouTube TV’s history of periodic price adjustments.

Free Audio Upgrade

All YouTube TV subscribers will receive access to 5.1 Dolby audio at no extra cost. This upgrade, frequently requested by users, will be rolled out to compatible devices over the coming weeks, as stated in a company blog post.

Enhanced Sports Features

Improvements to the sports viewing experience are also being implemented without additional charges. Viewers will now be able to quickly navigate to key plays and highlight moments when watching DVR recordings or live broadcasts.

If a viewer joins a live event in progress, they can easily catch up by reviewing significant moments before resuming live viewing. Furthermore, users can now search for specific sports and schedule them for DVR recording, with no limitations on storage capacity. This ensures fans won’t miss events like Simone Biles’ floor routines.

A dedicated Medal count view will also be available within the app during the Olympics.

Competition in the Streaming Landscape

As the Olympics approach, other streaming services are expected to enhance their live sports offerings. Paramount+ Premium, priced at $9.99 per month, provides access to a broad selection of international soccer matches, though its Olympic coverage remains unconfirmed.

Notably, Paramount+ already supports 4K, HDR, and Dolby Vision, and is significantly less expensive than YouTube TV. YouTube TV reported 3 million subscribers as of October 2020, but has not released updated figures for Q1 of 2021. Hulu, as of March, had 4.1 million subscribers to its Live TV service, which will also broadcast the Olympics.