- You can get the YouTube TV app on your Roku device through the search function.
- YouTube TV costs 64.99 per month for the base plan, but you can also sign up for a free trial.
- You can also use the free YouTube app to watch videos on Roku.
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YouTube used to be synonymous with free content — but nowadays, the platform offers more ways to watch videos. Take YouTube TV, for example. It's a paid subscription that gives you access to a wide selection of TV channels, though you can still access the YouTube app for free.
Either way, you can add YouTube TV on your Roku device and enjoy even more content. Here's how.
YouTube TV price & free trial offers
YouTube TV costs $64.99 per month for the base plan. With that, you get a host of news, live sports, entertainment, and lifestyle channels. All in all, you'll have access to over 86 channels.
For instance, if you're a sports fan, you have ESPN, NBA TV, NFL Network, MLB Network, and more. And if you love entertainment, the offerings include E!, MTV, Disney, FOX, and The CW. Basically, there's something for everyone.
On top of that, you get unlimited DVR space and can share your YouTube TV subscription with six other people in your home. For an additional fee, you can add more channels to the package, including HBO Max, Showtime, MLB.TV, and Law & Crime.
If you're not sure if YouTube TV is for you, you can sign up for a free trial, which comes with all the channels included in the base package for a limited time.
How to get YouTube TV on Roku
You can use your Roku device's search function to add the YouTube TV app. Here's how:
1. Turn on your Roku Device and press the Home button on your remote.
2. Use the arrow keys to go down to Search and press OK.
3. Search for YouTube TV and then press OK when you find it.
4. Choose Add Channel.
5. Once it's been added, select Go to channel and then hit OK.
6. Select either Try it for free to access the free trial, or choose Member sign in and follow the directions to sign into your account.
How to watch YouTube on Roku
If you prefer, you can use the free YouTube app. Once you've added the channel to your Roku device, here are a few options to start watching within the app:
Playlists
After you've logged into your YouTube account, you'll have access to your playlists. You can also add videos to your playlists as you browse through YouTube. Playlists are available from the left sidebar menu.
Guest account access
The YouTube app for Roku has a handy guest account that can be used to watch free content without logging into a Google Account.
You won't need an additional set up to jump into your favorite videos after installing the Roku YouTube app.
YouTube Premium
YouTube Premium, formerly called YouTube Red, is a paid subscription that includes commercial-free viewing, unlimited music streaming, and access to YouTube Original shows.
To access YouTube Premium content from the Roku YouTube app, be sure to log in with the YouTube account you used to subscribe. Or go into the app's settings to get YouTube Premium.
Once you have YouTube Premium, you can use the search option to find the content you'd like to watch, or visit the Premium channels you've subscribed to.
The app also supports multiple users so you can easily switch users as needed.
Rentals and purchases
The Roku YouTube app lets you purchase movies and TV shows from directly within the app.
You can also access content you previously purchased through YouTube or Google Play Movies and TV — these purchases will show up in the Library section of the app.
Content eligible for Google Play Family Library can also be viewed on the Roku YouTube app from accounts with access to your shared library of titles.
Cast YouTube from a mobile device to Roku
Using the YouTube mobile app, you can cast videos from your iPhone to Roku. This will launch the app and video on your Roku right away.
This method is handy because it's much easier to type out the name of a video using your phone than it is using the Roku remote.
Devon Delfino is a Brooklyn-based freelance journalist specializing in personal finance, culture, politics, and identity. Her work has been featured in publications such as The Los Angeles Times, Teen Vogue, Business Insider, and CNBC. Follow her on Twitter at @devondelfino.
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