Opinion: The YouTube TV We Never Asked For

As you likely have heard, YouTube TV is increasing their prices to $64.99 a month. This includes 8 new channels, BET, CMT, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, TV Land, and VH1. While these few extra channels might make a few consumers happy, I don't feel like most of YouTube TV's user base "asked" to add these channels, or at least to a base package.

A significant pull to cable TV is live sports. Most of us cord-cutters struggle because of the lack of options for obtaining these live sports via online platforms. 

YouTube TV was the perfect option to get sports and primary channels at a reasonable price. I understand that some consumers might want these upgraded channels, which is why having tiered packages would be the correct way to go. 

If YouTube TV wanted to make these changes, they should have developed a tiered system before changing the base price. The current tier should have stayed the same, and then add a higher tier with the extra channels. 

To YouTube: We never asked for this. Your consumers never asked for a super expensive TV package. Your consumers never asked you to have a "deluxe" package as your base package. 

If YouTube was really concerned about finding out what channels consumers want, they could do a survey. And there is this thing called Google Forms, which they probably have access to, ever heard of it?

Instead, your consumers asked for an innovative alternative to overpriced cable plans that include useless channels in them, and unnecessary equipment fees. 

Over my time using YouTube TV, I have genuinely enjoyed the service. It has been reliable, packed with features and channels I want, for a reasonable price. I was actually prepared to talk to some relatives about switching it instead of their current Spectrum Cable.

​I understand the pressure that content providers put on companies that use their content. They want more for their content and channels. However, Google can say "no." Wait it out a bit, see how they like loosing views. I don't like to encourage this, but we have to stop giving these providers everything they want. 

​Today I have canceled my subscription to YouTube TV and have started the trial of Hulu+ Live. This means you (YouTube) have 7 days to fix this pricing disgrace. 

We never asked for this, but you delivered it, and now lost consumers. This isn't rocket science. ​

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