Over the past few years, the number of cord-cutters significantly grew, which was followed by the rise in the number of streaming providers. Many saw opportunity in the space, and competition heated up.
That allowed subscribers to become increasingly demanding, choosing the best content, the best deal, and ad-free programs — in other words, the best overall service. But when something disrupts a usually solid offering, users don’t shy away from terminating the service.
For YouTube TV, one such disruption happened in November, during its carriage dispute with Disney. For two weeks, millions of subscribers lost access to popular channels, such as ABC, ESPN, the Disney Channel, National Geographic, and FX.
Amid the dispute, YouTube TV saw the highest cancellation rate in over a year, according to data from subscription data provider Antenna, shared exclusively with Business Insider. It didn’t help that the streaming giant offered subscribers a $20 credit because Disney content was unavailable “for an extended period of time.”
“The market is very much in flux,” Alan Wolk, media analyst and co-founder of research firm TVREV, told Business Insider. “You have some people leaving, and some people coming in, depending on what they want to watch.”
Since then, YouTube TV made several moves to win back old subscribers and attract new ones.
YouTube TV launches a special $15 discount per month for new subscribers for a limited time.
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YouTube TV cuts price for new subscribers to $67.99 per month
YouTube TV started the new year with another special deal for new subscribers. Those who have never been subscribed to its streaming service can do it now and save $15 per month for the next five months, reported Cord Cutters News.
This makes a total saving for five months of $75. The standard price for YouTube TV is $82.99 per month, and the new promotional deal cuts it to $67.99 per month.
Unlike the generous deal YouTube TV recently announced, this one has nothing to do with Verizon and doesn’t require a qualifying home internet or mobile phone line, though the reduction in price is similar.
In December, YouTube TV announced a special promotional offer in partnership with Verizon, reducing the monthly price by $20 for the first six months. The offer is also only for new subscribers, and it requires a qualifying home internet or mobile phone line.
YouTube TV limited-time offer for new subscribers highlights:
- The offer reduces the monthly price to $67.99 from the standard $82.99 for the following five months.
- Once the five-month discount ends, the monthly rate reverts automatically to the standard price.
- The limited-time offer is for new subscribers only.
- New subscribers can cancel anytime without penalty.
- The offer is available through YouTube TV’s website. Source: YouTube TV
Who should consider this YouTube TV deal?
New subscribers can choose from these offers:
- $20 savings per month (for six months) for those with a qualifying Verizon internet or mobile phone line
- $15 savings per month (for five months) for those without Verizon
Analyzing both offers, for a Verizon customer who signs up for YouTube TV, the Verizon deal effectively lowers the average monthly cost over the first six months to about $62.99, versus $67.99 under the standard new-subscriber promotion.
For non-Verizon users, the newer promotion avoids the friction of switching carriers or bundling services. This is increasingly important as consumers look to simplify subscriptions rather than add new commitments.
What you get with YouTube TV
If you are new to cord cutting, or just unfamiliar with YouTube TV’s offering, here’s a short overview of what it already offers and what will launch this year.
YouTube TV service highlights:
- 100+ local and national channels.
- Unlimited cloud DVR.
- Six accounts under one subscription.
- Multiview & Multiview Builder: This feature is often considered one of its biggest advantages over other streaming giants. It is especially valuable for sports fans, and YouTube TV recently improved it in response to requests from users.
- Add-ons (NFL Sunday Ticket, premium networks).
- Device support & household sharing.
- YouTube TV Sports Plan: Starting early in 2026, YouTube TV will launch a dedicated sports-only package. The streamlined offering will prioritize major leagues and events, and it will include: FS1, NBC Sports Network, All ESPN Networks, and ESPN Unlimited. Subscribers can add options such as NFL Sunday Ticket and RedZone, and keep all fan-favorite features, including unlimited DVR, multiview, key plays, and fantasy view.
Limited-time promotion comes as streaming rates rise
Roughly 64% of cord-cutters dropped a streaming service in the past year due to rising costs or switched to a cheaper or ad-supported plan, according to a report by All About Cookies.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering the current economy. With inflation pressure and higher prices of essential goods, many people are cutting their expenses, starting with nonessential services, including entertainment.
More Streaming:
- Amazon Prime Video introduces major free upgrade for US subscribers
- HBO Max unveils new way to watch beloved shows
- CNN makes generous limited-time offer to subscribers
Why are streamers raising prices? It’s simple: Their expenses increased.
“The reason you are seeing price increases is [that] the cost to produce good content and monetize it is only going up,” Adam Deutsch, managing director at Deloitte Consulting, told CNBC.
Deutsch said the volume of required content is also pushing prices higher, and he foresees more consolidation and fewer big players.
Streamers that raised prices in 2025:
- YouTube TV increased its monthly price by $10 to $82.99 in January 2025, according to CBS News.
- Netflix raised prices after revealing its last quarter of 2024 brought in 18.9 million new subscribers. In January 2025, its Standard plan without ads went up by $2.50 to $17.99 per month, reported Variety.
- Fubo increased prices by $5 per month on all its English-language plans for new subscribers in January 2025, pricing its least expensive plan now at $85, according to The Streamable.
- Apple TV raised prices in August 2025 to $12.99 from $9.99 reported CNBC.
- Disney+ raised the monthly price from $9.99 to $11.99 and an ad-free plan from $15.99 to $18.99 per month in September 2025, according to MacRumors.
- HBO Max also increased its subscription fees across all plans in October 2025, raising the Basic with Ads plan by $1 to $10.99 and yearly plan by $10 to $109.99. The Standard plan now costs $18.49 per month ($1.50 increase) or $184.99 annually (+$15). The Premium plan is $22.99 per month (+$2) or $229.99 annually (+$20), reported TechCrunch.