YouTube TV is a widely used streaming platform that provides access to live and recorded television content from a diverse selection of over 85 channels, encompassing local and national networks, sports, news, entertainment, and various other genres.
Additionally, the service features benefits such as unlimited cloud DVR storage, the ability to create six individual accounts within a household, and the capability to stream on three devices simultaneously.
While it is possible to share YouTube TV with friends and family residing in separate households, some specific limitations and guidelines must be adhered to.
In this article, we will explain how to share YouTube TV, who can join your family group, what the benefits and drawbacks of sharing are, and how to manage your shared membership.
How to Share YouTube TV
To share YouTube TV with your friends and family, you should establish a family group and extend invitations for them to join your membership.
A family group serves as a means to distribute your YouTube TV subscription and other Google services among a maximum of five individuals.
To set up a family group, follow these steps:
- Go to the YouTube TV website or app and log in with your Google account.
- Click on your profile icon, then select Settings.
- Choose family sharing and proceed to set up.
- Enter your password and click Next.
- Click on Create Family Group, then get started.
- Pick the individuals you wish to invite from your contacts or enter their email addresses. Alternatively, you can defer this step and add them later.
- Click Send, and then Done.
Upon creating a family group, you assume the role of the family manager. In this capacity, you can invite or remove family members, oversee parental controls, and handle payments for the family plan.
Invited family members will receive an email containing a link to join the family group, and they must accept the invitation and agree to the family group terms within 14 days.
Once they join, they can access YouTube TV and other Google services using their individual Google accounts.
Who Can Join Your Family Group?
You have the option to invite individuals aged 13 or older, possessing a Google account, and residing in the same country as you to join your family group.
Nevertheless, there are specific limitations and prerequisites that both you and your family members must fulfill to share YouTube TV. These include:
- Residency in the same household is a requirement, as YouTube TV utilizes your device’s location to authenticate your home area and provide accurate local channels. If you or your family members frequently use YouTube TV in different locations, a notification may prompt you to confirm your home area. Failure to confirm within 30 days may result in a loss of access to YouTube TV.
- Regular use of YouTube TV within your home area is essential for you and your family members, with a minimum frequency of once every three months. This ensures ongoing eligibility for the service and compliance with the terms of service. Failure to use YouTube TV in your home area for over three months may result in a loss of access.
- Modifications to your family group are limited to once every 12 months for you and your family members. This restriction aims to prevent the misuse of the service. If you or your family members depart or alter your family group, rejoining another family group or establishing a new one is prohibited for a period of 12 months.
What Are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Sharing YouTube TV
Sharing YouTube TV with your friends and family can have some benefits and drawbacks.
Benefits
- Splitting the subscription cost enables significant savings. With YouTube TV priced at $64.99 per month, which may be steep for some individuals, sharing it among five others results in a cost of only $10.83 per person per month, offering a highly favorable arrangement.
- Access to personalized and tailored features is another advantage. YouTube TV grants each family member their account, complete with a personalized profile, watch history, recommendations, and DVR library. Additionally, parents can establish and manage parental controls to restrict specific content or channels for their children.
- Versatility in device usage is a key benefit. YouTube TV is compatible with a variety of devices and platforms, including smart TVs, streaming devices, gaming consoles, mobile devices, and web browsers. Furthermore, you can cast content from your phone or tablet to your TV using Chromecast or AirPlay.
Limitations
- Streaming on YouTube TV is restricted to three devices concurrently. Regardless of the number of family members, the service imposes a cap of three simultaneous streams per household. This limitation can result in streaming errors or prompts to cease one of the streams if multiple family members wish to watch different channels or shows simultaneously.
- Sharing YouTube TV is confined to individuals within the same household. The service mandates that you and your family members reside in the same household and utilize the service within your home area. Consequently, it is not possible to share YouTube TV with friends or family residing in different cities, states, countries, or those who frequently travel.
- Changes to your family group are permitted only once per 12 months. YouTube TV restricts altering or departing from your family group more than once annually. This limitation means that you cannot readily cancel or modify your membership, nor can you join another family group if you are dissatisfied with the service or the individuals with whom you are sharing.
How to Manage Your Shared Membership
In your role as the family manager, you can oversee both your shared YouTube TV membership and your family group by completing the following steps:
- Visit the YouTube TV website or app and log in using your Google account.
- Select your profile icon and access Settings.
- Choose Family Sharing to review and make adjustments to your family group. This includes inviting or removing family members, managing parental controls, and exiting the family group.
- Select Membership to examine and modify your subscription. Within this section, you can pause or cancel your membership, update your payment method, add or remove additional networks or packages, and review your billing history.
Conclusion
YouTube TV, a streaming service offering access to over 85 channels of live and on-demand TV, allows for shared memberships with friends and family through the creation of a family group.
However, there are specific conditions to adhere to: both you and your family members must reside in the same household, use YouTube TV within your home area, and limit simultaneous streams to three devices.
Understanding the constraints and prerequisites of sharing YouTube TV, including the 12-month commitment and location verification, is crucial.
While sharing YouTube TV can be advantageous for saving costs and enjoying personalized features, it comes with its own set of challenges and limitations.