YouTube's paid TV distribution service 'YouTube TV' raises the price

`` YouTube TV '', an American paid TV distribution platform provided by YouTube, has announced a price increase. YouTube explains the reason for the price increase as ``increasing cost of content'' and ``because we continue to invest in service improvement''. With this price increase, the monthly fee for YouTube TV will rise from $ 64.99 (about 8700 yen) to $ 72.99 (about 9700 yen).

Info about YouTube TV price changes - YouTube TV Help
https://support.google.com/youtubetv/answer/9285852

An update for our members. As content costs have risen and we continue to invest in our quality of service, we'll be adjusting our monthly cost, after 3 years, from $64.99/mo to $72.99/mo, in order to bring you the best possible TV service.

—YouTube TV (@YouTubeTV) March 16, 2023

On March 17, 2023, YouTube announced a price increase for YouTube TV. This price increase will apply to non-YouTube TV members from March 17th, but will apply to existing members from April 18th. However, the optional plan ' 4K Plus ', which can raise the resolution of the distribution to 4K at the time of this price increase, will be reduced from $ 19.99 (about 2700 yen) to $ 9.99 (about 1300 yen) per month. In addition, '4K Plus' is an option applied by members, so you can not watch YouTube TV with this alone.

New members will see this new price today, while existing members will see this pricing change beginning 4/18. Additionally, we are lowering the price of our 4K Plus add-on from $19.99/mo to $9.99/mo.

—YouTube TV (@YouTubeTV) March 16, 2023

In addition, YouTube TV said, 'While we are committed to providing a premium way to stream TV, please understand that this new price may not suit you. YouTube TV will continue to We hope you will choose our service, but we want to offer you the flexibility to cancel at any time.'

We are committed to offering a premium way for you to stream TV, but understand this new price may not work for you. We do hope YouTube TV continues to be your service of choice, but we want to give you the flexibility to cancel at any time. https://t.co/o76Wn4u3oU

—YouTube TV (@YouTubeTV) March 16, 2023

According to overseas media 9to5Google , YouTube TV started service in 2017, and the initial usage fee was $ 35 per month (about 4700 yen). After that, the price was raised for the first time in March 2018, and the price was 40 dollars (about 5300 yen). The second price increase was in May 2019, when the price rose to $ 49.99 (about 6700 yen). In July 2020, the third price increase was made to $ 64.99 (about 8700 yen).

YouTube TV has just announced the NFL Sunday Ticket , signing a distribution deal with the popular American football professional league, the NFL. NFL has been very rare because it could only be viewed on Direct TV so far, and it is reported that the NFL distribution contract is worth $ 2 billion (about 270 billion yen) per season. As a result, YouTube TV users have pointed out that ``this price increase is due to the NFL Sunday Ticket contract,'' but the official YouTube official said, ``This price increase is due to a significant increase in content costs. It's not under contract,' he said.

this price increase is because of the broader rise of content costs & not specifically due to our new football offerings.lmk if you have any other qs

—Team YouTube (@Team YouTube) March 16, 2023

In addition to YouTube TV, Sling TV will raise the price in November 2022, and FuboTV and DirecTV Stream will raise the price in January 2023. In addition, the price of Hulu Live TV, which provides Hulu and pay TV distribution service as a set, has also been raised from $ 64.99 (about 8700 yen) to $ 69.99 (about 9300 yen) per month.