YouTube launches a TV streaming service for $35 a month

[Scorpus]

YouTube is getting into the TV streaming business with a new service they're simply calling YouTube TV. Set to compete with the likes of Sling and PlayStation Vue, YouTube TV will combine live streaming of popular broadcast and cable TV channels with all the content available on YouTube.

When the service launches in the coming months, it will cost $35 per month. For this price, you'll get roughly 40 channels, including all four major networks (ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC) along with a range of cable channels such as ESPN, USA, FX, Disney Channel, Syfy, and National Geographic.

You can see the full list of channels included with YouTube TV here, and there are some notable omissions. YouTube TV won't include any channels from Viacom, Turner, AMC, Discovery, A+E or HBO. This means the service won't include CNN, TNT, AMC, Comedy Central, HBO, MTV, TBS and more. Showtime will be available, but at an additional cost.

YouTube TV will also include access to all YouTube Red Originals, which are shows created by YouTube personalities that can only be accessed through a paid YouTube Red subscription ($10 per month). Strangely, YouTube TV does not include the other benefit of a Red subscription: ad-free YouTube viewing. To get an ad-free YouTube experience on YouTube TV, you'll also need to be a YouTube Red subscriber.

On a more positive note, it sounds like YouTube TV will have a robust set of features. Its monthly fee includes six accounts, which allows each household member to have their own account with personalized recommendations. You'll be able to watch up to three streams simultaneously.

The service also comes with a cloud DVR system with no storage limits. Users will be able to record an unlimited amount of shows simultaneously, and this won't use any data for those accessing YouTube TV on a mobile device. Any shows that are recorded will be accessible for nine months.

YouTube TV will be accessible though the YouTube TV website, a new and separate YouTube TV app, or through Chromecast. The app is split into sections for live content, recorded content, and recommendations. There is also a robust search system that includes the ability to search for shows with a certain theme.

There's no firm launch date for YouTube TV, aside from "the coming months", but anyone interested can sign up for notifications through the new YouTube TV website.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/68339-youtube-launches-tv-streaming-service-35-month.html

 

[Uncle Al]

Not a bad start and the price isn't bad. Best of all is the "no contract" clause, which keeps people from getting ripped off and will cause them to work harder to stay competitive and please their audiences; something that the cable providers across the board have completely forgotten. Once it's up I'll be ready to dump Spectrum/Charter that has been declining for years with their last move was the shut out three great channels from the basic package. I would have given DISH a shot but that flakey contract of their was a complete turn off.

Strangest of all, I recently picked up a Digital Antenna and fired it up. I was surprised I was able to pick up 40+ channels without any fancy gear above the little encoder box and the antenna. Wondering now how many more I might get by putting it up on the roof!

 

[wastedkill]

If this comes to the UK I can see myself buying it

 

[ZackL04]

Not a bad start and the price isn't bad. Best of all is the "no contract" clause, which keeps people from getting ripped off and will cause them to work harder to stay competitive and please their audiences; something that the cable providers across the board have completely forgotten. Once it's up I'll be ready to dump Spectrum/Charter that has been declining for years with their last move was the shut out three great channels from the basic package. I would have given DISH a shot but that flakey contract of their was a complete turn off.

Strangest of all, I recently picked up a Digital Antenna and fired it up. I was surprised I was able to pick up 40+ channels without any fancy gear above the little encoder box and the antenna. Wondering now how many more I might get by putting it up on the roof!

Sure 40 channels....but how many are worth watching.... 5? and those are just the major networks. Im not dogging the idea of an antenna but IMO the other 35+ channels are crap weather and hsn channels

 

[wiyosaya]

Not a bad start and the price isn't bad. Best of all is the "no contract" clause, which keeps people from getting ripped off and will cause them to work harder to stay competitive and please their audiences; something that the cable providers across the board have completely forgotten. Once it's up I'll be ready to dump Spectrum/Charter that has been declining for years with their last move was the shut out three great channels from the basic package. I would have given DISH a shot but that flakey contract of their was a complete turn off.

Strangest of all, I recently picked up a Digital Antenna and fired it up. I was surprised I was able to pick up 40+ channels without any fancy gear above the little encoder box and the antenna. Wondering now how many more I might get by putting it up on the roof!

This might give you an idea - http://tvfool.com/
If you do go to the roof, I suggest that you look into a Rotor, too.

If ATSC 3.0 comes along, you will get far more...

I'm staying away from this. I already get the big four plus PBS OTA, and I never run out of DVR space as it is. Plus, I've got all the Netflix and Hulu I want for $14/mo. Sorry YouTub, you cannot beat that price.

 

[Kibaruk]

I might be wrong, but most of the content can be streamed online right? Or as someone stated OTA. It might look cheap if you compare it to cable, and even then so-so, but the content is mostly out there. To me that's not an appealing entry price.

 

[hk2000]

Far as I'm concerned, there are no omissions, If they add NFL network, it would be more than complete to me

 

[OutlawCecil]

Isn't Hulu owned by Google now? Isn't Youtube owned by Google too? Does this mean Hulu is slowly being replaced with a YouTube version?

 

[wiyosaya]

Isn't Hulu owned by Google now? Isn't Youtube owned by Google too? Does this mean Hulu is slowly being replaced with a YouTube version?

No, it is not owned by Google - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hulu

 

[wiyosaya]

I might be wrong, but most of the content can be streamed online right? Or as someone stated OTA. It might look cheap if you compare it to cable, and even then so-so, but the content is mostly out there. To me that's not an appealing entry price.

Yes, much of the content is available online. The "catch" is that you have to wait until the shows are done with first-run series to get them on Netflix for instance. Personally, I am OK with that as I don't have to put up with commercials.

I also forgot to mention that I get CW OTA, too. What I get is quite complete. I really don't watch any sports, however, being a hockey fan, getting NHL Center Ice from the NHL Network for $99/season is the way I would go.

I find it interesting that there is no firm launch date and that you can sign up if you want. What this says to me is that they are gauging interest, and I would not be surprised if this did not pan out. I bet they have a target for number of subscribers that would make this a viable business for them, and if they do not reach that, they will not go through with it.

 

[toooooot]

We should all quit traditional tv. Ads in content is yesterday. The future is free tv with ads, and premium tv with 0 ads.
Maybe I am just a commercial hater...

 

[TechHeadKeta]

Oh... another internet company trying to do random stuff. Let's see how this one turns out.

 

[Kibaruk]

Oh... another internet company trying to do random stuff. Let's see how this one turns out.

Yeah, it's super random for youtube to stream... stupid comment is stupid.