What Google News Live Video Subscription Is
Google News Live Video Subscription is a feature within Google News that lets you watch video content from news publishers directly in the Google News app or website. When you subscribe to a publisher's video channel through Google News, you see their latest video stories in your feed without having to visit their website separately.
The subscription itself is managed through Google — you don't create separate accounts with each publisher. Instead, you subscribe to individual news outlets' video channels through the Google News interface, and Google handles the connection between you and the publisher's content.
This is different from subscribing to a publisher's full news site. A video subscription in Google News gives you access to their video content specifically, though some publishers may bundle video access with a broader news subscription.
Key Takeaways
- You subscribe to individual publishers' video channels through the Google News app or website, not to a single master service.
- Video subscriptions are separate from text article subscriptions — subscribing to a publisher's videos does not automatically give you access to their written articles.
- Google handles billing and login, so you use your Google account to manage all your video subscriptions in one place.
- Pricing and what videos you can watch depend on each publisher's own terms, which vary widely.
- You can cancel a video subscription at any time through your Google News settings without contacting the publisher.
How to Subscribe to a Publisher's Video Channel
Open the Google News app or go to news.google.com in your browser. Search for or navigate to a publisher whose videos you want to watch — for example, The New York Times, CNN, or The Wall Street Journal.
When you find the publisher's page or a video from that outlet, look for a Subscribe button. On mobile, this usually appears near the publisher's name at the top of the article or video. On the web version, it's typically in the same location. Tap or click the Subscribe button.
Google will ask you to confirm your subscription and may show you what content you'll receive. If the publisher charges a fee, you'll see the price and billing frequency at this point. Complete the subscription using your Google account — you won't need to enter payment information again if you already have a payment method saved to your Google account.
What Happens After You Subscribe
Once you subscribe, videos from that publisher appear in your Google News feed. You'll see them mixed in with other news content, labeled with the publisher's name so you know where they're from.
The exact content you can watch depends on the publisher's subscription terms. Some publishers show all their videos to subscribers; others may restrict certain premium videos to paid subscribers only. Free videos from that publisher remain free whether you subscribe or not.
Your subscription is tied to your Google account, so you can watch the videos on any device where you're signed into that account — phone, tablet, or computer.
Pricing and What It Covers
There is no single price for Google News video subscriptions because each publisher sets their own rates. Some publishers offer free video channels with no subscription required. Others charge a monthly fee, which might range from a few dollars to $15 or more per month depending on the outlet.
Some publishers include video access as part of a broader news subscription — for example, if you subscribe to The New York Times for articles, you may automatically get access to their video content. Others sell video subscriptions separately from article subscriptions.
When you subscribe to a publisher through Google News, you're paying that publisher directly. Google processes the payment but does not take a cut that affects your price. The billing appears on your Google account statement, and the charge comes from the publisher.
Managing Your Video Subscriptions
To see all your active video subscriptions, open Google News and tap or click your profile picture in the top right corner. Select Manage subscriptions or Settings (the exact wording varies by device). You'll see a list of every publisher whose video channel you've subscribed to.
From this screen, you can cancel any subscription when ready. Tap or click the subscription you want to end, then select Cancel subscription or Unsubscribe. You won't be charged again, though you may still have access to content through the end of your current billing period depending on the publisher's policy.
You can also change your payment method or billing address through your Google account settings. Go to myaccount.google.com, select Payments & subscriptions, and then Manage subscriptions to update payment information for all your Google subscriptions at once.
Video Subscriptions vs. Article Subscriptions
A video subscription to a publisher through Google News does not give you access to their articles, and vice versa. If you want to read articles from The Wall Street Journal and watch their videos, you typically need two separate subscriptions — one for articles and one for video.
Some publishers bundle these together and charge one price for both. Others keep them separate. When you're deciding whether to subscribe, check what the publisher's terms say you'll receive. The subscription page usually lists exactly which content is included.
If you already subscribe to a publisher's website directly (not through Google News), you may be able to link that subscription to your Google account so you don't have to pay twice. This varies by publisher — some support it, others don't. Contact the publisher's support team if you're unsure.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you subscribed but don't see videos from that publisher in your feed, make sure you're signed into the same Google account you used to subscribe. Videos only appear when you're logged in as the account that holds the subscription.
If you're seeing a message that says you need to subscribe to watch a video, but you already subscribed, try signing out of Google News and signing back in. Sometimes the app needs to refresh your subscription status. If that doesn't work, check your subscription list to confirm the subscription is still active.
If you were charged but can't find the subscription in your list, the subscription may have been canceled by the publisher or may be pending set up. Check your email for a confirmation message from the publisher. If you don't see one, contact the publisher's support team with your receipt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch videos from a subscribed publisher on other websites?
No. A Google News video subscription only works within Google News. If you want to watch that publisher's videos on their own website, you may need a separate subscription or login. Some publishers let you use the same account for both, but you'll need to check their website to set that up.
What happens to my subscription if I delete the Google News app?
Your subscription stays active as long as you're signed into your Google account. You can access the videos through the Google News website or by reinstalling the app. Your billing continues until you cancel the subscription through your account settings.
Can I share my video subscription with family members?
That depends on the publisher's terms. Some publishers allow you to share access with people on your Google Family account. Others restrict each subscription to one person. Check the publisher's policy or contact their support team to learn about sharing is allowed.
Do I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?
Refund policies vary by publisher. Most do not refund the current month if you cancel partway through, but some may offer a prorated refund. Check the publisher's subscription terms or contact their support team before you subscribe if this matters to you.
Why am I seeing a paywall message even though I subscribed?
Some publishers limit how many articles or videos you can read or watch per month, even as a subscriber. Others may have different subscription tiers with different access levels. Check the publisher's subscription page to see what your specific subscription includes, or contact their support team if you think there's an error.