According to PCWorld, YouTube TV is planning to launch more than 10 “genre-specific” slimmed-down channel bundles starting in 2026. The first detailed package is a sports plan that will include every ESPN network, along with FS1 and NBC Sports Network. Subscribers will still get access to add-ons like NFL Sunday Ticket and core YouTube TV features like unlimited DVR. The company’s subscriptions executive, Christian Oestlien, stated the goal is to give viewers greater control to tailor their subscriptions. While no pricing was revealed, these new bundles will certainly be cheaper than the current base plan, which costs $82.99 per month. More details on the other bundles, which could focus on news or family entertainment, are promised “soon.”
The skinny on skinny bundles
Here’s the thing: this move is about five years late, but absolutely necessary. The entire premise of live TV streaming was to be a cheaper, more flexible alternative to cable. But guess what happened? Services like YouTube TV ballooned back up to cable-like prices, pushing people to look for cheaper options. So now, YouTube TV is basically admitting the all-in-one mega-bundle isn’t for everyone. They’re following the trail blazed by Sling and fuboTV, and more recently, by the direct-to-consumer launches like ESPN’s standalone service. It’s a defensive play to stop subscribers from leaving entirely.
The sports bundle wars
The immediate focus on a sports package is the most telling part. Sports rights are the single biggest cost driver for these services, and they force everyone who wants CNN or HGTV to also subsidize ESPN. By isolating sports, YouTube TV is trying a new tactic. Let the super-fans pay for the expensive sports channels in their own bundle, and maybe you can offer a much cheaper news-and-entertainment package to everyone else. But this is a minefield. Remember Venu Sports? That was the mega sports bundle from Disney, Fox, and Warner that got sued into oblivion before it even launched. The industry is terrified of these focused sports packages because they might finally reveal the true, unsustainable cost of sports rights. YouTube TV’s version will be one to watch.
What this really means for you
So, is this actually good for consumers? In the short term, probably. More choice is rarely a bad thing. If you only want sports, or only want news, you might finally get a package that doesn’t make you pay for 80 channels you never watch. But I’m skeptical about the long-term game. The history of cable is a history of bundling. First, they unbundle. Then, to get the channels you really want, you have to subscribe to three different “skinny” bundles, and suddenly you’re back paying close to the old price. The promise is flexibility. The risk is fragmentation and a new kind of bill creep. The success hinges entirely on the pricing, which YouTube TV is very carefully not talking about yet. That should tell you something.
