UPDATED 00:53 EDT / APRIL 06 2017

APPS

YouTube TV, Google’s streaming TV service, is live in five cities: Here’s how to get started

YouTube TV, Google Inc.’s TV subscription, is now available in five U.S. cities, including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, Chicago and Philadelphia, for $35 per month with a 30-day free trial.

The channels that have been included in YouTube TV so far, include ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports Networks, Comcast SportsNet and others. Other networks such as AMC, BBC America, IFC, Sundance TV, WE tv and BBC World News will be added soon.

A big selling point for YouTube TV is its digital video recorder function, offering users unlimited cloud storage and the ability to save recordings for nine months. Other live streaming services like Sling TV, offers cloud DVR storage for an additional $5 per month for 50 hours while Playstation Vue also offers unlimited storage, but it is limited to 28 days. Six accounts can share a single YouTube TV membership while the household can watch on three devices at the same time.

If you are based in one of the five U.S. cities that get YouTube TV, here’s a look at how to get started:

Get started with YouTube TV

YouTube TV is offering a 30-day free trial. You can sign up on the YouTube TV website or download the Android or iOS app.

If you sign up for YouTube TV via the website or the Android app you will pay $35, plus taxes, per month. If you sign up via iTunes you will pay $39.99, plus taxes, per month.

When you sign up, YouTube TV will first verify your zip code to ensure you are based in one of the areas where it is offered, including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, Chicago and Philadelphia.

YouTube is also offering a complimentary Google Chromecast, while supplies last, after your first month’s payment.

With YouTube TV you can either watch live TV or record shows, movies and more to watch later.

Watch TV shows, sport and more

Networks channels available on YouTube TV via Google

Networks channels available on YouTube TV via Google

You can watch YouTube TV on your computer, mobile device or on a TV using a Chromecast device or on an Android TV. YouTube TV subscribers will also get access to YouTube Red’s content and original shows.

On the YouTube TV Home screen, you will find recommendations of shows, movies, etc. based on your watch history on both YouTube TV and YouTube.

Tip: You have the option to pause or delete your watch history.

The Live section of YouTube TV is where you will find networks that currently have live shows happening right now. Select any show to watch the program live. In the overflow menu (three dots) you will be able to see additional details about the program, can add it to your library or view the network’s page.

Your Library will display all your recorded shows, sports games, events or movies. You will also see any recently recorded videos, scheduled recordings and the networks you watch the most.

You can search for shows, movies, actors, sports teams, etc. using the search bar. If you want to search networks or genres, select the search icon and select either network or genre.

Record TV movies, events and more

You can record any show, sports event, movie, etc. and add it to your library by selecting the “+” icon next to the relevant broadcast. Once you add it to your library any upcoming recordings will automatically be recorded.

For sports fans, you can add your favorite teams to your library and YouTube TV will automatically record any games, available in your area, across all networks.

Tip: To remove a program from your library, select the remove icon (square in a circle).

To watch a recorded program, go to the Library tab, select the relevant program and you will see any current and upcoming airings.

Note: YouTube TV does not work offline and you will need to be connected to the internet to view recorded programs.

Unlimited recordings

YouTube TV includes a DVR with unlimited storage space limits so you can record as many shows, movies, sport events and more without worrying about space in your library.

Live TV recordings will be saved for nine months as long as your subscription remains active.

Source: Google support

Image: Esther Vargas; Flickr

A message from John Furrier, co-founder of SiliconANGLE:

Your vote of support is important to us and it helps us keep the content FREE.

One click below supports our mission to provide free, deep, and relevant content.  

Join our community on YouTube

Join the community that includes more than 15,000 #CubeAlumni experts, including Amazon.com CEO Andy Jassy, Dell Technologies founder and CEO Michael Dell, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, and many more luminaries and experts.

“TheCUBE is an important partner to the industry. You guys really are a part of our events and we really appreciate you coming and I know people appreciate the content you create as well” – Andy Jassy

THANK YOU