YouTube TV’s multiview mode is (almost) perfect for sports fans

YouTube TV’s multiview feature is great for sports fans. This allows you to watch multiple games at the same time on a single screen. Users can easily switch between different game sounds, watch a specific game in full screen mode, or bounce back and see all game content again. Unfortunately it could be better as I encountered several limitations.

The feature was introduced in 2023 and allows sports fans to watch more than one game at the same time. YouTube has slowly been improving its service, allowing users to create their own sports multiview. I use it every weekend for NCAA Football and the NFL, but it’s also available for other sports and news channels. Here’s what you need to know and what could be better.

Multiview is a game changer on NFL Sundays

Subscribers to the YouTube TV Base plan can already access a standard multi-view, allowing them to compose two to four streams on a single screen. However, if you have the NFL Sunday Ticket, that is a deciding factor. This NFL fan really appreciates being able to start four different games on Sunday morning and watch all the action.

If you are a sports lover, this is one of the best ways to watch NFL football. Sure, NFL Redzone is great, but Multiview is arguably better. The ability to quickly and randomly switch between four or more games makes for an exciting Sunday.

Building your own multiview is difficult

When you launch YouTube TV and are on the Home tab (not Live), you’ll see suggestions for TV shows and movies. If multiview compatible games are currently being broadcast, you will likely be presented with the option to select one.

Here you can select two, three or four live NFL games or channels that are not on the market to split the stream on your TV. Unfortunately, stupid restrictions ruin an otherwise fantastic experience. YouTube pre-creates many of the options and you’re stuck with those. When you try to create your own game, no games on the market are available in the Create Multiview pop-up window.

I couldn’t select the NCAAF games I wanted to watch on Saturday or the NFL games on Sunday for a specific multiview. In- and out-of-market restrictions, as well as YouTube TV’s bundled games, limit things. Even with the NFL Sunday Ticket add-on, I can’t really create my own multiview. It’s still great, but it could be better.

Additionally, it would be great if we could easily customize the 3-4 squares that show different games. I want to edit one view for another, choose which game gets the larger screen in a three-way view, or use old school PIP. None of this is available, at least not yet. If you want to change your multiview or a game ends, you’ll have to start from scratch and create a new one instead of quickly adding a new channel.

Then, on days like Wednesday when there is no NFL or NCAA football, the option to create a multiview seems to disappear. However, you can still find a few to choose from. Open YouTube TV, go to the Home tab, and scroll down past suggestions, upcoming shows, and other content. You will find a “Multiview” column full of options.

Choose one and you’re ready to go. Otherwise, you can choose a specific channel like ESPN or FS1 and try to build your own.

Multiview is not just suitable for sports

The obvious appeal of Multiview is the ability to watch more than one game at the same time. However, it can be a bit difficult to find a list of all supported sports for YouTube TV’s multiview feature.

I know it worked out last year with MLB and NCAA Basketball. Then, as long as you have the NFL Sunday Ticket, you can start four NFL games at the same time. It is also available for NCAA football games and channels such as NFL Network, FS1 and select news outlets.

Here too, the primary usage scenario is sports. However, if you live in a place like Florida and the weather is bad, you can watch multiple weather stations at the same time to get more information. Another option is to display four news or business news channels on the screen at the same time.

For example, I can watch Fox News, CNN, MSNBC and BBC News in multi-view. Then use the D-pad to highlight the screen you want to hear the sound for and you’re done.

You can also watch Monday Night Football and the Manning lineup simultaneously on ESPN2. That’s fun.

Which devices can use Multiview?

Originally, the multiview feature was only available on smart TVs and streaming media players like Apple TV or Roku. Thankfully, it’s now easily available on iPhone and Android, but via a web browser it’s still not an option.

Overall, I absolutely love what YouTube TV’s multiview feature brings to my living room or garage every weekend. The ability to watch multiple football matches simultaneously on a single screen is pretty amazing. Still, I wish there were more options, better customization, and advanced controls to tailor the viewing experience to my team’s preferences.

Don’t forget that you must watch TNF on Amazon Prime.