Google Announces YouTube TV: “Live TV Made For You”
Google is becoming a TV powerhouse. On Tuesday its YouTube executive team announced its long-awaited live TV service in a press event at YouTube’s studio in Los Angeles: YouTube TV, which will cost $35/month for US subscribers only, who will receive 44 channels (plus two add-ons).
In addition to unlimited cloud DVR and multi-screen viewing the package includes the major broadcast channels (ABC, CBS, FOX, The CW, Telemundo and NBC) and a cable channel that historically has been the cherry on a pay TV package: ESPN.Finally, live TV made for you.
Stream ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC & more.
Never run out of DVR storage space.
6 accounts, 1 price.
$35/month. Cancel anytime.
In addition to Google’s own (and struggling) YouTube Red subscription channel of original programming, YouTube TV’s channel line-up includes hit scripted programming such as The Big Bang Theory on CBS and Empire on FOX. A bigger draw, as with any cable package, may prove to be live sports.
In addition to the sports on ESPN, CSN Comcast SportsNet and FOX Sports, YouTube TV will offer NBA basketball on FOX Sports regional networks, in addition to golf (NBC), college basketball (on ESPN), Premier League soccer (via NBC and, for an extra fee, the FOX Soccer Plus channel) and championship boxing, available from Showtime, also available for an additional fee. Sweetening the deal: cloud-based DVR to record programming with unlimited storage.
YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki told Bloomberg that YouTube TV is designed to be “great for sports lovers” with its range of pro and college football, basketball, baseball and other sports.
“YouTube TV includes major sports networks like ESPN and regional sports networks like Fox Sports Networks and Comcast SportsNet, so you can watch your favorite NBA or MLB teams,” YouTube said in a press release. “We’ve also partnered with local TV stations, so you’ll also get sports and local news based on where you live.”
Still, YouTube TV is missing any Turner-owned networks, which show a lot of sports including NBA games, the NCAA basketball tournament, MLB and others. And complicated sports rights explains why it will launch in “limited US markets, where it has full coverage,” according to Recode (meaning customers won’t be able to stream NFL games to a mobile device).
Here’s what YouTube TV offers:
Live TV streaming from ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, regional sports networks and dozens of popular cable networks. YouTube TV gives you the best of live TV, from must-see broadcast shows like “Empire,” “The Voice,” “The Big Bang Theory” and “Scandal,” to the live sports you want. YouTube TV includes major sports networks like ESPN and regional sports networks like Fox Sports Networks and Comcast SportsNet, so you can watch your favorite NBA or MLB teams. We’ve also partnered with local TV stations, so you’ll also get sports and local news based on where you live. And YouTube TV offers dozens of additional cable channels, so you won’t miss out on the latest news from MSNBC or Fox News, popular shows and movies from USA or FX, kids programming from the Disney Channel or Sprout, or reality TV from E! or Bravo. You can also add Showtime or Fox Soccer Plus to your networks for an additional charge. In total, YouTube TV gives you access to more than 40 networks, listed below.
A cloud DVR, with no storage limits. With YouTube TV, you’ll be able to record live TV and never run out of storage. Your cloud DVR can record as many shows as you want, simultaneously, without using precious data or space on your phone and we’ll store each of your recordings for nine months.
A service that works great on all your screens. You can watch YouTube TV on any screen—mobile, tablet or computer—and you can easily stream to your TV with a Google Chromecast or Chromecast built-in TV. YouTube TV works on both Android and iOS. And your cloud DVR goes with you, so you can stream your recordings on any device, whenever and wherever you want.
YouTube Red Originals. With a YouTube TV membership, you can watch all of our YouTube Red Original series and movies right on the new YouTube TV app.
Six accounts, one price. Every YouTube TV membership comes with six accounts, each with its own unique recommendations and personal DVR with no storage limits. You can watch up to three concurrent streams at a time.
Half the cost of cable with zero commitments. A YouTube TV membership is only $35 a month and there are no commitments—you can cancel anytime.
YouTube TV will be available soon in the largest U.S. markets and will quickly expand to cover more cities across the country. Visit tv.youtube.com and sign up to find out when we’ll launch in your market.
With so much great content available on TV, we’re thrilled to build an experience that lets you enjoy it as easily as you watch YouTube. We can’t wait for you to tune in.
