San Francisco, Feb 1, 2026, 23:53 (PST)
- YouTube TV’s Android app is getting an updated set of icons.
- YouTube TV is rolling out the update ahead of its genre-based subscription plans set for early 2026
- Some pay-TV subscribers reportedly remain unable to access ESPN’s premium “Unlimited” tier through the ESPN app
Google has begun rolling out a fresh icon set in YouTube TV’s Android app, revamping navigation buttons like Home, Live, and Library. This update, linked to version 10.05.0, also refines the Cast and Search icons and updates playback controls. So far, these changes haven’t appeared on iPhone or iPad, according to 9to5Google. (9to5Google)
The cosmetic update arrives as YouTube TV prepares a major revamp of its pay-TV lineup, rolling out over 10 genre-specific packages set for early 2026. “Early next year, we’ll launch YouTube TV Plans,” Christian Oestlien announced, signaling a move toward more customized choices. (Blog)
Timing is crucial here since sports is front and center in the next phase, yet some customers still face patchy access. According to Sports Business Journal, YouTube TV and Comcast subscribers haven’t been able to authenticate their pay-TV credentials within the ESPN app to unlock the premium Unlimited tier. Spectrum, DirecTV Stream, and Hulu + Live TV have already sorted this out. (Sports Business Journal)
The Times of India called the new icons flatter and more legible across various screen sizes, noting the app’s functionality remains unchanged. Google aims to align YouTube TV’s design with its other apps as the live-TV streaming market heats up. (The Times of India)
ESPN announced that the WWE Royal Rumble on Jan. 31 from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will stream exclusively in the U.S. on its app. Access is limited to Unlimited plan subscribers, either directly or via certain pay-TV bundles. Those Unlimited members can also choose to watch WWE premium live events on Disney+. (ESPN Press Room U.S.)
Awful Announcing shared that a Comcast rep told them access for customers should arrive “in the coming weeks.” YouTube TV, on the other hand, didn’t reply when asked about a timeline. According to the site, ESPN’s part is done; now it’s just up to the distributors to finish the rollout. (Awful Announcing)
POST Wrestling, referencing Awful Announcing and CNBC’s Alex Sherman, reported that certain ESPN pay-TV subscribers might face extra charges to watch the Royal Rumble, despite already having ESPN in their package. (Postwrestling)
Still, YouTube TV subscribers don’t have a clear timeline yet, and any hold-ups might frustrate sports fans counting on their bundle for app-exclusive events. If the log-in problem lingers, competitors with existing ESPN authentication could gain an edge.
Google’s icon update is rolling out initially on Android, offering a clean visual tweak without shaking up the channel lineup. The real challenge lies ahead: Can YouTube TV streamline access to premium sports tiers before its upcoming plan adjustments?
