Kenya, Aug. 7 -- YouTube TV customers are increasingly vocal about their desire for a bundled YouTube Premium option, with many expressing frustration over the lack of a discounted package combining the live TV streaming service with ad-free YouTube and YouTube Music benefits, according to posts from clients and sources.
With YouTube TV's base plan priced at $82.99 per month and YouTube Premium at $13.99, users argue that bundling could enhance value, especially as competitors like Hulu + Live TV offer integrated on-demand perks.
The sentiment, amplified by a 2024 Reddit thread, highlights a growing call for Google to address this demand amid rising subscription costs.
The push for a YouTube TV and Premium bundle stems from the distinct offerings of each service, which cater to overlapping but separate needs.
YouTube TV delivers over 100 live channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, ESPN, and HGTV, with unlimited cloud DVR and three simultaneous streams, ideal for cord-cutters seeking a cable-like experience without contracts.
YouTube Premium, on the other hand, provides ad-free viewing, offline downloads, and background play across YouTube and YouTube Music, appealing to users who prioritise uninterrupted content.
A 2025 PCMag article explains that while Premium enhances the YouTube app experience, it doesn't remove ads from YouTube TV's live or recorded broadcasts, frustrating subscribers who expect a seamless, ad-free experience when paying for both services.
Customer sentiment on platforms like Reddit reflects a desire for cost savings and convenience.
A 2022 Reddit post suggested a $65 bundle combining YouTube TV, Premium, and Music, with users arguing that Google's failure to offer discounts for multiple services feels like "nickel and diming".
Another user in a 2024 thread noted that YouTube Premium's $13.99 cost feels unjustifiable without TV integration, especially since Hulu + Live TV bundles Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ for added value.
Clients call it "insane" that no bundle exists, given YouTube TV's $82.99 price already includes access to YouTube Originals, which Premium users also get ad-free.
This overlap fuels arguments that Google could retain subscribers by offering a combined package, especially as competitors like Comcast's StreamSaver bundle NOW TV with Peacock and Netflix.
The lack of a bundled YouTube TV and Premium option is particularly stark given Google's history of promotional offers. In 2024, YouTube TV subscribers received a three-month YouTube Premium free trial, redeemable by December 31, 2024, for those who made at least one valid payment.
This offer, limited to new Premium subscribers, hints at Google's awareness of crossover interest but stops short of a permanent bundle.
A 2025 evoca.TV comparison notes that YouTube TV's $82.99 base plan and Premium's $7.99 Lite or $13.99 full plan target different audiences, yet the family plan's five-device streaming for Premium versus TV's three-stream limit suggests potential for integration.
Users on Reddit have speculated that bundling could offset YouTube TV's recent price hike from $72.99 to $82.99, which CNET called a "huge letdown" for cost-conscious cord-cutters.
Competitor strategies highlight YouTube's missed opportunity. Hulu + Live TV, priced at $83 monthly, includes Hulu's on-demand library, Disney+, and ESPN+, making it a compelling alternative for families.
YouTube TV's add-ons, like the $29.99 Entertainment Plus bundle with Max, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, and STARZ, show Google's willingness to package premium content, yet no such integration exists with YouTube Premium.
A NerdWallet analysis suggests YouTube TV's value lies in its unlimited DVR and local channel coverage, but without Premium's ad-free benefits, subscribers paying over $96 monthly for both feel shortchanged.
Social media feedback, including a 2020 Reddit thread, proposes a $5-$10 discount for bundling, with users citing Google's family group integration as a foundation for unified billing.
The demand for a bundled package also reflects broader trends in streaming fatigue, where consumers seek consolidated services to manage costs.
YouTube TV's 4K Plus add-on, at $9.99 monthly, offers unlimited home streams and offline recordings, but Premium's ad-free YouTube videos remain separate, frustrating users who want a unified experience.
A CableTV review notes that YouTube TV's intuitive interface and channel lineup make it a top choice, but its $82.99 price, combined with internet costs, rivals cable bundles, pushing users to demand more value.
As Google expands Premium Lite to the U.S. for $7.99, according to a 2025 YouTube Blog, the absence of a TV-Premium bundle risks alienating loyal subscribers, who may turn to competitors offering integrated solutions.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.