Sports‑Focused TV Bundle Sparks New Price Wave

"YouTube TV has rolled out a new sports‑centric package that is turning heads. The deal starts at $64. 99 each month, with a discounted first‑year rate of $54. 99 for fresh sign‑ups. The channel list is packed: it pulls in the big national networks—ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, The CW—and adds a slew of sports outlets such as ESPN, its sister channels, the ACC, SEC and Big Ten Networks, FS1/FS2, NBA TV, Golf, NBCSN, CBS Sports Network, PickleBall TV, and the NFL Network. Local affiliates of these giants are also part of the mix. A full lineup is available online, but some fans may notice the absence of MLB Network and Tennis Channel. NBC Sports Network is included, giving users access to a growing stream of content that also appears on Peacock.The move follows YouTube TV’s strategy of launching themed bundles—sports, news, entertainment—to attract niche audiences. Competitors like DirecTV and Comcast have already tried similar tactics in the same price range. While the standard plan now costs $82. 99 a month, up from $35 in 2017, YouTube TV has added features such as unlimited DVR and a web‑style interface to justify the hike. It also offers perks like discounted NFL Sunday Ticket, helping keep subscriber growth steady. Beyond sports, the company is offering a Sports + News bundle for $71. 99 and an Entertainment plan at $54. 99 that focuses on movies and comedy, featuring channels like FX, Comedy Central, and Paramount. A combined News + Entertainment + Family package goes for $69. 99, adding kids’ networks like Disney Channel and Nickelodeon. New customers can snag special introductory prices across all bundles. The rollout reflects a broader trend of streaming services bundling content to retain viewers amid rising carriage costs and fierce competition. "