If you’re considering cutting the cord and switching to YouTube TV, you may wonder does YouTube TV have ads.
After all, one of the main reasons people turn to streaming services is to avoid commercials.
The answer is yes, YouTube TV does have ads.
However, the extent to which you’ll encounter them depends on a few factors.
For example, some channels on YouTube TV are ad-supported, meaning they will have commercial breaks just like traditional cable TV.
Other channels may have limited or no ads, while some on-demand content may have non-skippable ads.
That being said, YouTube TV does offer some features to help you skip or avoid ads.
For instance, you can fast-forward through ads on recorded content using the DVR feature, and some channels allow you to skip ads altogether.
Additionally, YouTube TV offers ad personalization options, which allow you to control your ad preferences and potentially reduce the number of ads you see.
Does YouTube TV Have Ads?
If you’re considering subscribing to YouTube TV, you may be wondering if it has ads.

The answer is yes, but the type, frequency, and duration of the ads can vary.
Types of Ads on YouTube TV
YouTube TV is an ad-supported subscription service that allows you to watch live and video-on-demand shows.
There are two types of ads that you may encounter while watching YouTube TV: skippable and non-skippable.
Skippable ads are ads that you can skip after a few seconds.
Non-skippable ads are ads that you cannot skip and must watch in their entirety before continuing to your program.
Ad Frequency and Duration
The frequency and duration of ads on YouTube TV can vary depending on the program you’re watching.
For example, some programs may have no ads at all, while others may have several ad breaks throughout the show.
The duration of the ads can also vary.
Skippable ads are typically shorter, ranging from a few seconds to a minute, while non-skippable ads can be longer, lasting up to two minutes.
Overall, while YouTube TV does have ads, the type, frequency, and duration of the ads can vary depending on the program you’re watching.
However, it’s important to note that the majority of the ad revenue from YouTube videos shown on YouTube TV goes to support the creators of those videos.
Ad-Free Viewing Options
If you’re tired of watching ads on YouTube TV, there are a few options available to you.
Here are two ad-free viewing options you can consider:
Premium Channels and Add-Ons
One way to enjoy ad-free viewing on YouTube TV is by subscribing to premium channels and add-ons.
These channels typically offer a wide range of content, including movies, TV shows, and live sports, without any ads.
Some popular premium channels and add-ons on YouTube TV include HBO Max, Showtime, and Starz.
While subscribing to premium channels and add-ons can be costly, it may be worth it if you’re a big fan of their content.
Plus, you can always cancel your subscription if you no longer need it.
YouTube Premium Integration
Another way to watch YouTube TV without ads is by integrating it with YouTube Premium.
If you’re already a YouTube Premium subscriber, you can watch your favorite YouTube videos on YouTube TV without any ads.
However, please note that you will still see ads on live and recorded TV, as YouTube TV and YouTube Premium are separate services.
But if you’re a big fan of YouTube and want to enjoy ad-free viewing on both platforms, integrating the two services is a great option.
By using these ad-free viewing options, you can enjoy your favorite content on YouTube TV without any interruptions.
User Experience
When it comes to using YouTube TV, the user experience is generally positive.

However, one potential downside of the service is the presence of ads.
In this section, we’ll explore how ads impact the user experience and what options you have for personalizing and skipping them.
Ad Personalization
One benefit of ads on YouTube TV is that they can be personalized based on your interests and viewing history.
This means that you may see ads that are more relevant to you, which can make them less intrusive and more informative.
To enable ad personalization, you can adjust your settings within your YouTube TV account.
Skipping Ads
If you prefer not to see ads at all, you do have some options for skipping them.
One option is to use the fast-forward or rewind buttons to skip over ads when watching recorded content.
However, this may not be possible for live content, and it can be time-consuming to manually skip through ads.
Another option is to upgrade to the YouTube TV Premium subscription, which allows you to skip ads entirely.
This option does come with an additional cost, but it may be worth it if you find ads to be too disruptive to your viewing experience.
Overall, while ads on YouTube TV may be an inconvenience for some users, there are options available to personalize or skip them.
By adjusting your settings or upgrading to a premium subscription, you can tailor your viewing experience to your preferences.
Comparison with Other Streaming Services
When it comes to streaming services, one of the most important factors to consider is the presence of ads.
YouTube TV is a popular streaming service that offers live TV channels and on-demand content.
But does it have ads? Let’s compare it with other streaming services to find out.
Ad Policies of Competitors
Hulu + Live TV and Sling TV are two major competitors of YouTube TV.
Both services offer live TV channels and on-demand content, but they have different ad policies.
Hulu + Live TV offers two plans: one with ads and one without ads.
If you choose the plan with ads, you will see ads during on-demand content and some live TV shows.
However, some shows and movies may still have ads even if you choose the ad-free plan.
Sling TV also offers two plans: Sling Orange and Sling Blue.
Both plans have some ads during on-demand content, but Sling Orange has more ads than Sling Blue.
However, live TV shows on Sling TV do not have ads.
On the other hand, YouTube TV has a single plan that includes ads during some on-demand content and live TV shows.
However, YouTube TV does not have ads during some on-demand content, such as YouTube Originals.
Subscription Costs and Benefits
Another important factor to consider is the subscription cost and benefits of each streaming service. Here’s a comparison:
Streaming Service | Monthly Cost | Number of Channels | Cloud DVR |
---|---|---|---|
YouTube TV | $64.99 | 85+ | Unlimited |
Hulu + Live TV | $64.99 (with ads) or $70.99 (without ads) | 75+ | 50 hours |
Sling TV | $35-$50 | 30-50+ | 50 hours |
As you can see, YouTube TV is the most expensive streaming service, but it also offers the most channels and unlimited cloud DVR.
Hulu + Live TV and Sling TV are more affordable options, but they have fewer channels and limited cloud DVR.
In conclusion, YouTube TV does have ads, but its ad policy is similar to that of its competitors.
However, YouTube TV offers more channels and unlimited cloud DVR, making it a good option for those who want a wide variety of content.
Managing Expectations
As you consider subscribing to YouTube TV, it is important to understand the service’s business model and how it affects the presence of ads.
Here are some key points to keep in mind:
YouTube TV’s Business Model
YouTube TV is a subscription-based TV service that is supported by advertising.

This means that while you pay a monthly fee to access the service, you will still see ads while watching content.
Most of these ads are non-skippable, meaning that you cannot fast-forward through them.
It is important to note that YouTube TV’s business model is not unique. Many streaming services, including Hulu and Sling TV, operate in a similar way.
However, it is important to consider whether or not you are comfortable with this business model before subscribing to the service.
Future of Ads on YouTube TV
While it is unlikely that YouTube TV will move away from its current business model anytime soon, there is always the possibility that changes could be made in the future.
For example, the service could introduce an ad-free tier that allows users to pay a higher monthly fee in exchange for an ad-free viewing experience.
It is also possible that YouTube TV could experiment with different types of ads or ad formats in the future.
For example, the service could introduce interactive ads that allow viewers to engage with the content in new ways.
Ultimately, the presence of ads on YouTube TV is something that you will need to consider before subscribing to the service.
By understanding the service’s business model and keeping an eye on potential changes in the future, you can make an informed decision about whether or not YouTube TV is right for you.
Key Takeaways
If you’re wondering whether YouTube TV has ads, the answer is yes.
However, the service offers fewer ads than traditional cable television or some other streaming services.
Here are some key takeaways to keep in mind:
- YouTube TV is an ad-supported subscription TV service that offers a DVR feature.
- You can record live shows and fast-forward through commercials, but there are still ads on the platform.
- The service enables simultaneous streaming of content on up to three devices and up to six accounts per household.
- YouTube TV marks programs that are Video On Demand with a yellow VOD label next to the network name. DVRed programs come with a gray DVR label next to the network name.
- So, make sure you are watching a DVRed program if you want to skip ads.
- The service is known to advertisers as a vMPVD (Virtual Multi-Platform Video Distributor).
- vMPVDs give viewers an alternative to traditional cable distributors (MPVDs) like Comcast, Charter, or Dish.
- YouTube TV offers unlimited DVR recordings, so you don’t have to worry about deleting shows when you’re down to 30%.
Overall, YouTube TV is a great option for cord-cutters who want a streaming service that offers live TV and a DVR feature.
While there are still ads on the platform, the service offers fewer ads than traditional cable TV and some other streaming services.
Just make sure you’re watching a DVRed program if you want to skip ads.