To watch sports, shows, and other content on YouTube Primetime Channels, you have to turn on Location Sharing and set your playback area. Verifying your location is necessary, because sometimes the content you see can depend on your location.
How to Turn on Location Sharing to Watch Primetime Channels on your TV
When you select a program to watch that requires location verification, you’ll see a prompt requesting to verify your location. Once completed, this will set your “playback area.”
If you’re using the YouTube app on your TV, you’ll need both your TV and your mobile device to verify your location and set your playback area to watch on your TV. You’ll need to turn on Location Sharing for your mobile web browser on your phone or tablet. This will let the YouTube app on your TV verify your location.
Verify your playback area to watch on your TV
With Location Sharing turned on for your mobile browser, open YouTube on your TV and look for Add location or Verify location at the top of the page. This will show you info on how to verify your location using your mobile device.
- Scan the QR code on your TV screen.
- If the YouTube app is installed on your mobile device and you’re signed in, you’ll be taken to the account selection page in the app. Choose the account you’re signed into on your TV or streaming device.
- If you don’t have the YouTube app on your device, you’ll be taken to your mobile browser where you may need to sign in. Sign in with the Google Account you’re signed into on your TV or streaming device.
- Tip: To find your account's email address on your TV screen, go to Settings Purchases and memberships.
- Once signed in, you should see a popup to add your location. Tap Add location.
- If prompted to turn on Location Sharing for your browser, tap Allow While Using App.
After you verify your location, notifications on your mobile device and TV will indicate your current playback area.
You can also verify your location from a mobile browser:
- Go to youtube.com/locate sign in to the same Google account you are signed into on your TV or streaming device.
- Tip: To find your account's email address on your TV screen go to Settings Purchases and memberships.
- Once signed in, you should see a popup to turn on Location Sharing for your browser. Tap NEXT Allow.
- Refresh the youtube.com/locate page on your mobile device quit and reopen the app on your TV.
If you're not seeing the update go through on your TV, double check that you’re signed in to the same account on both your mobile browser and TV. Then quit and re-opening the app on your TV. If it’s still not working, try clearing your cache and cookies and try again.
Update your playback area on your TV
To update your playback area on your smart TV:
- Open the YouTube app on your TV.
- Go to Settings Current playback area.
- Select the pencil to edit and enter your zip code.
- Follow the on-screen instruction to set and verify your Current playback area.
Clear your playback area on your TV
To clear your playback area:
- Open the YouTube app on your TV.
- Go to Settings Clear Playback area.
Turn on Location Sharing
To watch or cast Primetime Channels, including NFL Sunday Ticket, on your smart TV or other streaming device, you must turn on Location Sharing for YouTube on your mobile device and your mobile browser to verify your playback area on your smart TV or streaming device.
Turn on Location Sharing for your mobile browser:
- Go to your device Settings .
- Tap Security & location tap Location. If you don't see "Security & location," tap Location.
- At the top of your screen, make sure "Use Location" is switched On.
- Go back to Settings .
- Tap Apps scroll to find and tap Chrome or your default mobile web browser.
- Tap Permissions tap Location.
- Make sure “Allow only while using the app” or “Ask every time” is selected.
Turn on Location Sharing for the YouTube app:
- Go to your device Settings .
- Tap Security & location tap Location. If you don't see "Security & location," tap Location.
- At the top of your screen, make sure "Use Location" is switched On.
- Go back to Settings .
- Tap Apps scroll to find and tap YouTube .
- Tap Permissions tap Location.
- Make sure “Allow only while using the app” or “Ask every time” is selected.