YouTube will launch a streaming cable service called Unplugged in 2017

Jos

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YouTube is reportedly working on a subscription-based streaming service called "Unplugged" for cord cutters, offering a bundle of broadcast and cable channels for a set price. The report from Bloomberg claims YouTube is in talks with most major media companies like CBS and Viacom, but no deals have been made yet.

Apparently the company has been exploring such a service since 2012, but is ramping up efforts to debut as soon as 2017. YouTube is aiming to offer a “skinny” bundle for a base package at under $35 a month, with themed packs offering additional channels for a fee. That’s pretty much the same SlingTV is doing and what Apple reportedly discussed with media companies before putting its plans on hold.

The service would represent yet another venue for YouTube to offer and monetize video content, running alongside the main ad-supported site and YouTube Red which gets rids of ads and includes some exclusive content as well as music videos for $9.99 a month.

Hulu is also planning to launch its own streaming television service in 2017. As confirmed by Hulu CEO Mike Hopkins said at the company's annual Upfront Presentation today, the service would offer subscribers the ability to watch both live and on-demand programs.

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The cable and satellite companies will soon have two viable options:

* Lower prices to compete with streaming services;
* Settle for being ISPs and nothing else.

There IS a third option, but it would be a fool's errand: fighting the streamers tooth and nail by limiting bandwidth, restricting monthly data allowances, etc. This would only cost them what little consumer goodwill they have left and only forestall the inevitable a short while. What's funny is that Comcast's purchasing of content providers like NBC paved the way for all of this. Now AT&T owns the biggest satellite company, Time Warner is getting gobbled up and who knows how many other TV networks will be absorbed by the coaxial and dish operators. Just wait till we start seeing exclusive deals between popular channels and the delivery networks that carry their content...it'll be a three-ring legal circus.
 
If YouTube is really smart, instead of offering us crummy pre-made packages, they will allow us to pick and choose EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT TO WATCH from the list of 'crud' that's out there; ie: "Personalized Packages"! THEY WILL SELL like crazy!!!!!

Give me a few local channels, plus CNN, SciFi, History, and a handful of the best of cable and I'll be happy as a pig in s**t! My cable box has been unconnected for a least the past three years... useless crap and cruddy picture quality...bah, humbug! It's just a dust collector!
 
Pay to be probed by Google. Interesting what people will consider after being privacy raped for years.
 
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