Getting YouTube TV up and running on your television shouldn't feel like a chore. If you have been wrestling with the setup or just want to get it right the first time, you are in the right place.
The good news? It only takes about 5 to 10 minutes to link everything. You won't have to type out your complex Google password using a clunky TV remote either. Instead, you'll use your phone or computer to bridge the gap. Here is a practical, fluff-free guide to cutting the cord and setting up your TV.
What Exactly is YouTube TV?
YouTube TV is like cable television, but without the cumbersome cable box or contracts. You receive more than 100 live channels for approximately $82.99 a month – local news stations (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) and big networks like ESPN and CNN.
When looking at the overall YouTube TV membership, it is entirely different from a standard YouTube account. It features:
Family Sharing: Make up to 6 individual profiles to have individual recommendations for each person.
Simultaneous Streams: Watch on up to 3 screens at the same time.
This is always better on a large screen than around a laptop/phone screen. Use your own TV remote, connect to your soundbar or home theater speakers, and watch live sporting events in crisp 4K HDR (where available).
The Standard 4-Step Activation Process
While TV menus look a bit different depending on the brand, the core activation process is identical across the board.
Step 1: Install the App
Grab your remote and head to your TV's built-in app store.
Samsung: Press Home $rightarrow$ Apps.
LG: Press Home $rightarrow$ LG Content Store.
Sony / Google TV / Android TV: Open the Google Play Store.
Search for YouTube TV (look for the red icon with the white play button), and hit Install or Download.
Using an older TV? If your television is a few years old and doesn't have the app in its store, just plug a Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, or Chromecast into an open HDMI port and download the…