How to Customize YouTube TV Channel Lineup - YouTube TV Live Guide with Local Channels

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How to Customize YouTube TV Channel Lineup - YouTube TV Live Guide with Local Channels

The channel lineup guide is an awesome feature on YouTube TV. It's very similar to the channel list on a cable DVR. And in this video I'll show you how to get the most out of the YouTube TV channel lineup on your devices. But to make any customizations you'll need a computer web browser or a smartphone. On a PC or Mac you currently have to use Google Chrome or Firefox to access YouTube TV.

When I first log in on my computer, it naturally takes me to the Home screen but clicking on the Live button at the top will bring up a channel lineup and programming schedule for the day. Current and upcoming shows appear on this screen with local channels appearing at the top of the list by default.

To customize the list I can click on the sort button or I can click on my profile icon at the top right. Then click on Settings. In the popup window click on Live Guide in the left column. Here is where I can add or remove channels as well as change the order of how they're displayed. A red check mark means that that channel will appear in the Live Guide. If I want to hide a channel just I'll uncheck it and it won't show up anymore. But I can always add them back later. Reordering channels is easy. Just and click and hold the hamburger menu and drag the channel up or down. I can also click on the 3 dots on the end and move channels around using preset positions.

And speaking of the bottom of the list. YouTube TV recently added new channels to their service and they appear at the bottom of the Live Guide Settings. But for some reason, they're unchecked by default so they won't appear in the main Live Guide. I was actually confused at first where the new channels were. But adding a checkmark next to the channel will make it appear in the main channel list. I can add the Comedy Central channel and then move it to the top. When I exit out the newly added channel will appear at the top of the list where I placed it in the Live Guide Settings.

In the YouTube TV Live Guide, it only shows about 3 hours of programming on the screen. But on the side there are arrow buttons where I can click and move forward in time. This is really helpful if you want to schedule a recording that happens later in the day. And you can scroll up to 48 hours ahead of time. But let's see how these changes affect the YouTube TV phone app.

On my iPhone when I go to the Live Guide, Comedy Central is at the top of the channel list. But I can tap on the Sort button and also edit the Live Guide Settings on my phone. Again, the red check mark means a channel is visible in the Live Guide. Unchecking it will hide the channel. And I can drag the hamburger menu next to a channel and move it up or down in the list.

These changes are also reflected on the YouTube TV app on my LG smart TV. Here I can see that TBS is at the top with Comedy Central just under that. All the other channels still remain in the same place as I scroll down. And for the changes to take place on some TVs, you might have to turn the TV off and then back on before launching the YouTube TV app. This will ensure that the new Live Guide settings are loaded. I can also use the right arrow on my remote to see programming for later in the day.

It's worth noting that you may or may not be able to change the channel order on some streaming devices. Which means you'll have to make you changes on a computer web browser or on a smartphone.

Finally, a lot of people ask if channels can be sorted in alphabetical order. Unfortunately there's no setting to alphabetize the channels. But it seems to be a really popular request so I hope they add that feature in the future. And just so you know, I went straight to YouTube TV after I cancelled cable and I've never regretted it. I've been a subscriber since 2018 and I still think YouTube TV is one of the best services out there to replace cable.

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[loribeving]

Thanks so much for your video. Makes watching TV easier without spending half an hour looking for a certain channel.

[bob]

Can't believe I've been dealing with the default channels for 2 years! Plus I eliminated many channels I never watch.
Thanks!!

[MarlenieG]

very helpful but already outdated. no more checkmarks (eye instead) - no more hamburger to move up or down one step - only grabbing the handles (double bars on left)... move them one at a time that way. THANK YOU SO MUCH - THIS IS EXCELLENT and HELPFUL

[amard]

I agree YTTV is very good and most like what you would find from your local cable company (but much better). The DVR service YTTV provides is outstanding. The local guide when you decide to alter it can be overwhelming at first, I suggest you baby step it (Just do a few a day/week) and start with local news at the top then other news stations. Then those stations that are your favorite or sports if your a sports fan. Hide those stations you won't ever watch by just unchecking them in the live guide. I don't speak Spanish so those stations are hidden, except for soccer like GOLTV (bilingual broadcasting). Eventually you'll have it just the way you like it.

[mikewilcenski]

Dude, you are the GOAT!
Thank you for the tips

[kevindolan]

Thank you for this. Saved me some time figuring it out myself.

[pattiporter]

Best instructional video ever - thanks!

[TheUniversalEyes]

I wish youtube tv would let you put custom names or numbers on the channels or at least give us a previous channel feature. It's a pain to flip back and forth between things you watch, you have to open the listing and scroll to find what you were watching.

[anissacook]

Thanks for the info.... this was helpful. I'm on the brink of cutting the cord and evaluating YouTube TV via my trial period this week. Overall, I think I'm ready to make that move!

[MikeSteinSeaTac]

I'm a new YTTV user and I'm going nuts trying to figure out (on LG and Roku platforms) how to return to the live guide from a live channel.
When I click the back button it takes me to the sign out page but not the live TV guide. Can you help me?

[zulu-xd]

Live View: Is there a way to show what channels I have subscribed to? Thanks

[christinagurchinoff]

Excellent video. Probably best I've seen in "learning, #Google #YouTube videos. You covered what I came for Organizing my playlists. And I got a lot more. The #YouTubeTV option is a bonus I can't wait to check out. Been considering a long time.
Want to crossover TikTok and YT videos. Thanks you've been a big help.

[jamesfc]

Is there a free alternative live tv channel guide that goes further than youtube tv does? Thanks for your help.

[markjohnson]

is there a previous channel function so you can switch back and forth between the same channels?

[bewilder]

How do you pin network subscriptions to the Home Page? Like HBO Max or STARZ + EPIX. So far I’ve only been able to pull those menus up by the text search feature which sucks when you have to key it in with an fire stick remote. Should be able to see in-app subscriptions in the home page

[xsal]

Thanks for the video. You'd think a Google product could have a more intuitive user interface, one that doesn't require a third party video. Then again, Gmail has seen little apparent improvement in the 15 years I've used it.

FYI, this works fine on Safari.

[kaylawrence]

I am a member on my son's account---different homes----if I go to my YoutubeTV website on my laptop and rearrange and/or delete channels--will that affect only my TV's ( 2) or will that change for the entire account----meaning my son's also as the account owner

[forlando]

How can you get program information while in the live guide? Only a word or two appears within each program box. Is there a way to see program details without actually launching a show?

[positivepreschooltips]

Is there a way to turn off auto play on YouTube TV?

[bwanadave]

Can the wife and I each have our own favorites list or is than done via the roku account settings?