YouTube TV combines the best of both worlds — the benefits of modern video-on-demand services and classic live TV channels. It even has a built-in DVR with unlimited storage that allows you to store any number of movies, TV shows, sports, and other programs.
In this guide, we’ll look at how can you record on YouTube TV — any show on any compatible device. You’ll learn how to save videos to your library, how to play them back at your convenience, and what restrictions you should be aware of.
What Is YouTube TV and How Its Recording Feature Works
YouTube TV is a subscription-based streaming service that provides live TV, on-demand content, and DVR capabilities. It offers access to 100+ live TV channels, covering a wide range of content like sports, news, and entertainment. This service is available on multiple devices, including TVs, smartphones, tablets, and web browsers, with up to 3 simultaneous streams.
The DVR function is available in all tariff plans and does not require an additional device. The video is stored online in the YouTube TV library on a cloud server. You can record as much content as you want — there are no restrictions on file size, video duration, or resolution. But remember that shows are stored for no longer than 9 months.
YouTube TV library is available only online, so you need an Internet connection to watch videos. Recording conditions may vary depending on the subscription you choose. For example, basic plans don’t allow you to record premium shows and skip commercials.
If you enable recording of recurring shows, such as TV series and sports championships, you will record all episodes until you manually disable this feature. You can also store past shows and events in the DVR’s memory if they are available on the YouTube TV portal.
Another important note is that the service is currently available only in the United States. It is not available in the EU, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, South America, and other countries.
How to Record Recurring Shows on YouTube TV?
If you have a favorite TV series or follow events in the world of big sports, you will be interested in recording such shows for repeated viewing and careful analysis.
Before you get started, it’s worth figuring out how to sign in to your YouTube TV account or create a new one:
1. Go to the main page of the service at https://tv.youtube.com/.
2. Log in to your account or create a new one. You can quickly sign up with your Google account.
3. Choose a tariff plan. The basic subscription includes 100 channels. But you will have to pay extra for premium sports broadcasts and access to foreign shows.
4. If you plan to watch YouTube TV on a Smart TV, game console, set-top box, or other streaming device, you need to log in and go to tv.youtube.com/start. Here, you will see a unique code. Enter it on your device to synchronize with your main account. On your computer or smartphone, you just need to sign in with your Google account.
If you do everything correctly, the service’s main page will appear on the screen with a list of available shows and live channels. The instructions on how to record a show will be universal for all devices, as YouTube TV has a simple, minimalistic interface identical across all platforms. So, let’s take a look at how to activate the recording of recurring shows:
- Use the search function — click the button with the magnifying glass image at the top right.
- Enter the name of your favorite show. If several TV shows or sports programs have similar titles, check out the trailers and descriptions to choose the right one.
- Open the show and click the Add to Library button marked with a plus sign. It is located in the upper left corner. If you do everything right, a checkmark will appear in its place. On a smartphone or tablet, you can also click on the show icon and hold your finger down for a few seconds. The app will show you a context menu where you’ll need to select Add to Library.
Please note that not all shows may have the corresponding button available. If it’s not available, the recording may be banned by YouTube TV or the copyright holders. This usually happens when exclusive content from other streaming services like Netflix, HBO Max, or Hulu is broadcast. Another option is that the recording may not be available in your subscription plan. Check your subscription terms and conditions to find out how to access the DVR feature for a specific show.
How Can You Record Live Shows on YouTube TV?
Sometimes, you watch something interesting on live TV and don’t want to miss a second. If you need to get away from the screen for a few minutes, you can simply record the broadcast using DVR. This will also allow you to watch the program again to pay attention to important details.
Here’s how you can record live shows on YouTube TV:
- Log in to the service and go to the Live tab.
- Select the channel you want by clicking the icon or using the search function by name.
- After activating live streaming, stop the video — click on the computer screen, tap on the smartphone display, or use the TV remote control.
- Click the button with a plus sign below the progress bar. If you are watching a show on Smart TV, press the Down button on the controller to select the appropriate function.
- Select Add to Library.
Please note: If you’re watching a live show, YouTube TV recording will start from the moment you use the corresponding function. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you start recording as soon as the broadcast starts. If you are watching a rerun of a show or sporting event, the DVR will automatically save the entire episode to your personal library.
How Can You Record Live Sports on YouTube TV?
Sports programs are recorded on YouTube TV according to the same principle. However, a few differences in this process should be discussed in more detail.
Here’s how YouTube TV DVR works when recording sports events:
- Log in to your account.
- Use the search function — enter the sport, league, championship, event, or team name.
- Select the desired option, read the description and preview if necessary.
- Click the Add to Library button in the upper left.
- A list of options opens on the right. You can record all events without exception, specific types of matches (for example, only playoffs), or matches involving certain teams.
- Check the boxes next to all the necessary options.
There is one more important thing that applies only to sports events. When you save them to your library, YouTube TV automatically extends the recording time by 30 minutes. This ensures that the recording is complete even if the match continues, for example, in the event of a draw.
How Can You Watch Recorded Shows on YouTube TV?
So far, we’ve discussed in detail how to record all possible types of content on YouTube TV. The only thing left to consider is how to return to your library to view the saved recordings:
- Log in to your account.
- Go to the Library tab — it’s located to the left of Home and Live.
- Select a category from the menu on the left: new in your library, most watched, scheduled, shows, movies, sports, events, and purchased. The screen will display the recordings that belong to that category.
- Choose the show or sporting event you want to watch. Tap Watch Now and watch the recording as you normally would.
If you want to stop the recording, go to the page of a recurring show and click the Add to Library button, which will be marked with a checkmark. It will turn into a plus sign again, meaning new episodes will stop recording. Already recorded episodes remain in the library and will be automatically deleted after 9 months.
Conclusion: YouTube TV as the Best Way to Record Your Favorite Shows
With a YouTube TV subscription, you can record movies, TV shows, news, sports events, and other types of content without any third-party services or additional physical equipment. You don’t have to worry about DVR limits, the need to manually schedule each episode, or even rescheduling broadcasts. Everything is perfectly convenient — you just need to find the show in the menu and click the Add to Library button.
However, there are some downsides to subscribing. First, you can’t transfer these recordings to your main YouTube account, for example, to create short summaries using NOIZ or to edit clips. The service may also prohibit the recording of certain programs, especially exclusive content from other streaming services. You also have limited rights to manage your DVR — YouTube TV doesn’t allow you to store recordings for more than 9 months or delete them manually.
Nevertheless, there are many more advantages than disadvantages. Still, you should consider all the features of the recording function before subscribing.
FAQ
How to record on YouTube TV?
The developers have already taken care of everything you need — you don’t have to look for third-party services or buy additional equipment. To record a recurring show or sporting event, find it in the catalog and click the Add to Library button on the top left. To record Live TV, pause the broadcast and click the “+” button below the progress bar.
How do I start recording from the beginning of YouTube on my TV?
You can’t retroactively record what you missed, but if you start recording a rerun show mid-stream, YouTube TV automatically grabs it from the beginning (if available).
How do you record and put on YouTube?
Nice try! YouTube TV’s recordings are for your eyes only. Sharing with the world? That’s YouTube’s job, not YouTube TV’s. Transferring files from YouTube TV to your main YouTube account is not currently possible.
How far in advance can you record on YouTube TV?
As soon as the service announces the broadcast of a particular show, you can schedule to record it. The future is in your hands — plan it!
How can I record TV shows to watch later?
Find the show you want in the catalog and click the plus-signed button on the top left. All subsequent episodes will be recorded automatically.
Is there a guide on YouTube TV?
Yes, there’s a live guide! Think of it as your TV compass — it tells you what’s on now and what’s coming up. The guide will appear automatically when you open the Live tab.
How do I download TV shows to watch later?
Downloading? Sorry, not on YouTube TV. Recordings stay in the cloud, not your hard drive. Stream them anytime, though!
Is there a way to record streaming TV shows?
Absolutely! Once you start the show you want to record, pause the stream and click the “+” button below the progress bar. Select “Add to Library.”