Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Audio / Video
  3. News

How to get the new Chromecast with Google TV for free

By

Google’s new Chromecast with Google TV is a $50 streaming media player that combines the convenience of a Chromecast device with the full feature set you’d expect from a set-top box like a Roku or a Fire TV.

But one area where it differentiates itself from the other $50 streamers made by Roku, Amazon, and TiVo is its tight integration with Google’s own YouTube TV live TV streaming service. By flipping to the Live tab inside the Google TV interface, you can quickly and seamlessly access all of YouTube TV’s content including the on-screen guide and all of the shows in your DVR.

Recommended Videos

So it’s not surprising that Google is now using an offer of a free Chromecast with Google TV as a way to lure new subscribers to YouTube TV.

Free Chromecast with Google TV offer on YouTube TV
YouTube

Right now, if you head over to https://tv.youtube.com/welcome/ you’ll be greeted by a pop-up window that says, “Try YouTube TV free, and get a Chromecast on us!”

Please enable Javascript to view this content

That sure sounds like you’re not only getting the Chromecast for free, but also YouTube TV for free, but the fine print makes it clear that’s not quite true.

Related

Instead, once you agree to the free trial period for YouTube TV, and make your first monthly payment of $65, then you’ll get the free Chromecast.

Oh, and it’s only valid for first-time YouTube TV subscriptions, something I can verify: When I clicked through to sign up, I wasn’t offered this promotion.

This caveat aside, it’s still a good deal. You’re basically getting a highly desirable streaming media player and one month of YouTube TV (which would normally cost $115, for just $65. And even if you don’t like YouTube TV and decide to cancel after that first payment, the Chromecast is yours to keep.

Is there a catch? The only one we can think of is that the “while supplies last” portion of the offer may not last long. Google has already sold out of all editions of the new Chromecast except for the Snow (white) color.

There’s also something of a wait involved. Signing up gets you immediate access to YouTube TV’s free trial, but to get the free Chromecast, you have to wait until the end of your first month, pay the initial $65 monthly fee, and then you’ll receive an email with a link to redeem your free Chromecast promo code.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Simon Cohen
Simon Cohen
Contributing Editor, A/V
Simon Cohen is a contributing editor to Digital Trends' Audio/Video section, where he obsesses over the latest wireless…
How to watch The Weather Channel without cable
The Weather Channel on Roku.

There are a million ways to get information on the weather these days. Windows, for one. Computers for another. Random people on Instagram and TikTok who suddenly are experts in meteorology for a third. But for a lot of folks, it's still all about The Weather Channel — the ubiquitous channel that, appropriately enough, is all about The Weather. On a Channel.

And, unfortunately, it's time for many in Florida and the rest of the Southeast to keep their eyes glued on The Weather Channel as Hurricane Milton makes landfall this week in the Tampa Bay Area before cleaving its way through the center of the state. Miami looks like it should mostly be spared. Same goes for Northwest Florida, where I live. But models are also starting to show a possible follow-up storm later in the month.

Read more
What is YouTube Premium? Price, content, and more
YouTube Music

When it comes to watching videos on the internet, YouTube is the most common place to do it. That includes everything from entertainment to recordings of work events to the newest music videos and live-streaming conferences. However, while YouTube is free to watch, it does come with a deluge of ads. If you're tired of dealing with ads interrupting your videos, and sitting through them before and after videos, then a YouTube Premium subscription is the option to check out. This eliminates ads while browsing or watching videos.

The YouTube family of products can be a bit confusing, however. In addition to YouTube Premium, there are other paid services like YouTube Music, YouTube TV, and the now-defunct YouTube Go, plus some free movies on YouTube you don't want to miss. But the price for YouTube Premium has changed since it launched, so it's worth taking some time to consider how much you'll be paying and whether it's worth it for you -- or even if you could save some money by using options like the YouTube Premium family plan or the free trial.

Read more
Sling TV channels, plans, pricing, extras, and more
Sling TV on a TV.

When it comes to live TV streaming services, Sling TV is one of the best, offering up the channels you want while not breaking the bank. While it isn't the most simple of streaming services, it is an option that is worth it for anyone looking to balance their budget, or if you don't need every channel out there. It's built on two tracks — Sling Orange and Sling Blue. You can get one of the tracks for a paltry sum, or both for a little bit more. (Which is what Sling really encourages you to do.) While there is some overlap between the two, neither of them has the full catalog that its competitors like YouTube TV can offer.

To augment their smaller catalog, it has its own slate of optional add-ons, which Sling TV calls Extras. Each one costs a few dollars more each month, which can quickly add up to the same price range of services like YouTube TV, Hulu Plus Live TV, and Fubo, it's all about your ability to choose to have those add-ons — or not.

Read more