These aren’t really comparable to standard Hulu or Netflix or Amazon Prime etc. It’s for people that want to pretend they’re cord-cutting while buying the exact same thing from a streaming company.
It legitimately is way better than cable, though. Ignoring the disputes over fees, I once tried Spectrum's TV Android app (probably 3-4 years ago, I gave up on getting it to work), and this is what I experienced:
* Refuses to work if a VPN is on
* Must disable developer tools (doesn't matter if you changed any settings in there or not)
* Root check
* Must be from a Spectrum home IP (and remember, you can't VPN to your home network to use this app)
* Must allow access to all contacts, all texts, etc or the app would close itself (there is no legitimate justification for this, unlike potential contract stipulations requiring no root, etc - it's purely for selling all your data)
* Didn't even work after I installed it on a totally stock Android device on my home network
* No web interface; if you can't run the app, too bad
Compared to that, YT TV's app is a breath of fresh air. But ignoring the streaming convenience, you also have:
* No ads in the TV guide (which is also more responsive than any DVR I've ever experienced)
* Unlimited DVR is nice (and it's not utter dogshit hardware that would've been considered unimpressive in the 90s)
* You don't need a cable box - just a Chromecast (which is absolute tiny by comparison) or a TV with Chromecast built-in
* The pricing is much easier to understand
Of course, I don't actually pay for it. My mother does, and she put my Google account as an allowed user. I just use it to watch hockey.
It's true that you're paying for the same product, but it's delivered in a package that doesn't scream "fuck you, pay me."
They are lowering the price when one channel leaves but you can’t pick which channels you want.
Lastly YouTubeTV doesn’t solve any problems. For instance local channel access is limited to one location.
I stuck with that for years until fiber was available in my area since a threaten-to-cancel call got my TV price down to $0/month (on top of internet).
Pretty much the worst of all worlds.
I checked the Spectrum website, and the cheapest TV-only package they have is $77.11 for the first month, $66.40 for the next 11, and $98 thereafter. (First month has $9.99 self-install fee - you already pay every month for the cable box and install it yourself, but they charge you even if you pick it up from the store!)
But that's "Mi Plan Latino" - no sports channels. The cheapest with sports, TV Select, is $87.71 for the first month, $77.10 for the next 11, over $110 thereafter. I'm sure I could get better rates by calling them, and I have some competition in my area so I know I could actually get them, but I value my sanity too much for that.
Spectrum also doesn't have any 4k, not even through their app, though they say "we're working to add it soon" [0]. Also no surround [1]. For me, it would make no sense to go with Spectrum even if the alternative was me paying for Youtube TV.
[0]: https://www.spectrum.com/cable-tv/apple-tv-faq
[1]: https://www.spectrum.net/support/tv/spectrum-tv-app-troubles...
As a content package, it's evolved to be something largely different from what you get from the streaming services like Netflix. It's largely sports, news/talk shows, and reality TV and other relatively low-cost lightly scripted/unscripted content, some documentaries... You still have some traditional network content but it's been a while since I've even heard of a network drama or comedy of note.
Remember Netflix' incentives are very different from a network. Netflix wants to acquire and retain subscribers which tends to favor stickier content rather than filling up a schedule with programming that people will tune into out of habit.
Put another way, the network business model is essentially a legacy model. I'm not sure why Netflix would want to recreate an uber-Network.
YoutubeTV lets you create 6 accounts and use 3 simultaneously. I live in NY and share my account with 2 friends in CT for <25$ a person. Absolute steal and a really great product.
I will also say Youtube TV is not the "Exact same thing" that the cable company offers. Fundamentally the product/channels are, but youtube TV gets all the tech right.