YouTube rolls out customizable NFL multiview, but there is a catch

Just before March Madness kicked off earlier this year, YouTube TV introduced the highly anticipated multiview feature on iOS, which lets you watch up to four games simultaneously.

Just in time for the NFL season's kickoff, YouTube is expanding multiview again, but there's a catch.

Also: How to download YouTube videos for free, plus two other methods

In a blog post detailing the new feature, YouTube explains that multiview is expanding to the YouTube app -- not just YouTube TV. 

Here's what's new. 

Currently, YouTube TV Base Plan subscribers can watch pre-built multiview streams of their local NFL games via select stations. For the upcoming season, though, NFL Sunday Ticket subscribers can build any available combination of two, three, or four NFL Sunday Ticket games and watch them on the YouTube app. 

At least for now, YouTube multiview is only available for live NFL games and for customers with an NFL Sunday Ticket.

Also: The best live TV streaming services of 2024: Expert tested

YouTube is the exclusive home of NFL Sunday Ticket, but you don't need a YouTube TV subscription to sign up. Four payments of $119.75 a month will get you all out-of-market Sunday games live with unlimited streams in your home and two streams on the go, plus condensed game replays.

YouTube TV multiview is available on TVs, mobile devices, and tablets. At the start of the season, it will be available for NFL Sunday Ticket subscribers on TVs, mobile devices, and tablets.

Additionally, new changes to the YouTube TV video player are on the way. Live stats and scores from other games will also be available, plus key plays and fantasy stats if you link your Yahoo Fantasy account. If you plan to watch later, you'll be able to use spoiler mode to hide certain team scores and use one of three different broadcast delays to catch up if you join a game late. 

If multiview is happening for the NFL, we'll hopefully see more customization available for college football and other sports.