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Criterion Channel vs YouTube TV

Criterion Channel logo

Criterion Channel

Software

Criterion Collection curated films

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Y

YouTube TV

Software

Cable reimagined: live TV streaming with unlimited cloud DVR storage

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Criterion Channel maximum streaming quality is HD, no 4K or Ultra HD; YouTube TV base Plan streams to only 3 devices simultaneously; the 4K Plus add-on is required for unlimited concurrent streams, per tv.youtube.com pricing page (Aug 2026)

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Criterion Channel and YouTube TV actually diverge.

Attributes where Criterion Channel and YouTube TV differ
AttributeCriterion ChannelYouTube TV
Starting price$10.99/monthOn request
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
PlatformsWeb, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, XboxWeb
Founded1984Unknown

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Criterion Channel

  • Criterion films
  • 4K restoration
  • Essays
  • Special features
  • Curated selections
  • Smart TVs
  • Streaming devices
  • Account security

Only in YouTube TV

Nothing recorded that Criterion Channel does not also cover.

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Criterion Channel

  • Streaming classic, foreign, and independent films with curated collections and retrospectivesnot YouTube TV
  • Watching filmmaker interviews, commentary tracks, and bonus/supplemental contentnot YouTube TV
  • Following themed programming such as double features and director/actor spotlightsnot YouTube TV
  • Educational and film-study use due to curated context and extrasnot YouTube TV

YouTube TV

No use cases recorded yet. See the YouTube TV review.

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Criterion Channel

  • Maximum streaming quality is HD, no 4K or Ultra HD
  • No PlayStation 4 app available
  • HDCP compatibility issues reported on some devices like Chromebooks and Xbox One
  • No live chat or phone support for customer service
  • Limited library compared to mainstream services like Netflix and Hulu

YouTube TV

  • Base Plan streams to only 3 devices simultaneously; the 4K Plus add-on is required for unlimited concurrent streams, per tv.youtube.com pricing page (Aug 2026)
  • Base Plan is priced at $82.99 per month as of August 2026 per YouTube TV's own pricing page, with a discounted $67.99 rate only for the first 3 months

Pricing, plan by plan

Criterion Channel

$10.99/month
  • Monthly$10.99/month
  • Annual$99.99/year

YouTube TV

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the YouTube TV review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Criterion Channel if

  • You need criterion films.
  • You work on Web, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox.
  • You also want 4k restoration.
Criterion Channel review

Choose YouTube TV if

Nothing in the data separates YouTube TV from Criterion Channel on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

YouTube TV review

Questions people ask

Is Criterion Channel or YouTube TV better?
Neither clearly leads. Criterion Channel starts at $10.99/month and YouTube TV at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Criterion Channel or YouTube TV?
Criterion Channel starts at $10.99/month and YouTube TV at On request.
Does Criterion Channel or YouTube TV run on more platforms?
Criterion Channel runs on Web, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox. YouTube TV runs on Web.
What is Criterion Channel best used for?
Criterion Channel is most often used for streaming classic, foreign, and independent films with curated collections and retrospectives, watching filmmaker interviews, commentary tracks, and bonus/supplemental content, following themed programming such as double features and director/actor spotlights, educational and film-study use due to curated context and extras. Of those, streaming classic, foreign, and independent films with curated collections and retrospectives and watching filmmaker interviews, commentary tracks, and bonus/supplemental content are not what YouTube TV is typically brought in for.
What can Criterion Channel do that YouTube TV cannot?
Criterion Channel covers Criterion films, 4K restoration, Essays, Special features.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Criterion Channel: Can I watch Criterion Channel offline?

No, Criterion Channel requires an active internet connection for streaming. The service does not offer offline viewing or download capabilities.

Source
Criterion Channel: What devices does Criterion Channel work on?

Criterion Channel works on Amazon Fire TV, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, and Xbox. There is no PlayStation app or dedicated mobile app for iOS/Android.

Source
Criterion Channel: How much does Criterion Channel cost?

Criterion Channel costs $10.99/month or $99.99/year with a 7-day free trial for new subscribers.

Source
Criterion Channel: What is the maximum video quality on Criterion Channel?

Criterion Channel streams in HD quality only. The service does not offer 4K or Ultra HD resolution.

Source
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