YouTube has been the premiere video streaming service since its conception in 2005 and has ever since shaped the media landscape. Google had acquired YouTube in 2006, ultimately leading many consumers to abandon cable and satellite television. YouTube’s rapid expansion has led it to compete directly with cable and television companies. Recently, YouTube has asserted itself in the industry of live TV. Although it has been rumored for several months, YouTube’s official announcement will begin the era of new media content in which streaming services completely replace live TV.
YouTube is looking to launch the new service later this spring. For only $35 a month, over six unique users can access the content on YouTube TV whenever and wherever they want. Several available networks on YouTube TV will include CBS, Fox, NBC, and CBS and sports networks including ESPN, Fox Sports, and NBCSN. With an additional fee, YouTube TV will also come with Showtime. In total, YouTube is looking to offer over 40 networks, most of which are the most popular networks on live TV. YouTube TV is comparable to similar services such as Sling TV and PlayStation Vue, with minor differences. Although there are many major networks, YouTube TV lacks other networks that many viewers may want to see. For example, Viacom, Discovery, HBO, CNN, TBS, and TNT.
But, to make up for lack of some major networks, YouTube TV will come with an unlimited cloud-based DVR storage, giving consumers the ability to favorite any show to watch later. It has also been rumored that YouTube TV will eventually be compatible with Google Home, allowing a user simply start a show through Google Chromecast and voice commands on Google Home.
Along with the traditional YouTube interface, YouTube TV will have a mobile app that will have three main sections: A live tab that shows all the networks that are currently being broadcasted. Through this tab, you would be able to see live previews of each channel. YouTube has also focused on creating a suggestion generating system that greatly improves the consumer experience. The app’s search tab makes use of the suggestion system and allows the user to see recommendations based on genre and frequent network usage. The library consists of all networks that have been favorited or suggested and saved by the user. The app also comes with a “home” tab that is reminiscent of YouTube’s traditional website layout.
Even with an amazing app layout and a variety of networks, YouTube will place excellent customer service at the top of its priority list. A YouTube executive had stated that users will be contacting customer support through text or call anytime through the app. YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki believes that for the younger generation of consumers to actually see YouTube as a viable alternative to live television.
YouTube has a separate product called YouTube Red, which was a YouTube-personality- based service that focused on specific YouTubers instead of larger, higher-end productions through mainstream networks. YouTube TV will be building off of YouTube Red’s original programming.
YouTube TV is quickly becoming a reality that YouTube wishes to be available by this Spring. The main drawback for such a service is that it will focus primarily on the use of Chromecast. Other devices such as Apple TV, Roku, the PS4 and Xbox One will not be included in YouTube TV’s service, at least initially.
Featured Image via Wikimedia
Prasun Srivastava
January 30, 2019 at 7:01 am
Excited