As streaming competition heats up, YouTube TV adds more sports channels

Sports fans, brace yourself for more action on YouTube TV.

The Google-backed OTT service is reportedly beefing up its Sports Plus add-on, according to a report from The Streamable. Users have reported new sports channels appearing on the platform’s interface. The channels are currently cannot be viewed by users.

YouTube TV appears to be adding beIN Sports, which specializes in airing La Liga and Ligue 1 soccer matches in the U.S. This comes right after soccer superstar Lionel Messi joined Ligue 1 team Paris Saint-Germain F.C.

Along with beIN, YouTube TV appears to be adding channels focused on gambling and sports betting, including PokerGo+ and VSiN, as well as other specialty channels, Billiard TV, Outside TV and SportsGrid. There is no indication when these channels will be officially added.

The add-on package costs subscribers an additional $10.99 per month, on top of YouTube TV’s $64.99 monthly subscription fee. Currently, the package includes NFL RedZone, Fox Soccer Plus, GOLTV, FOX College Sports, TVG, Stadium and MAVTV.

The move can be seen as refreshing from sports fans, as YouTube TV’s sports options have become more limited over the years. In September 2020, YouTube TV officially dropped Sinclair-owned regional sports networks, previously known as Fox Sports Networks.

It also does not offer its customers access to regional sports networks that air games from the most popular teams in the U.S., including the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Lakers or Los Angeles Dodgers.

YouTube TV does include ESPN networks, as well as other popular options, including Fox Sports 1, NFL Network, MLB Network and CBS Sports Network, among others. Forbes