YouTube TV

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Google TV.

YouTube TV
IndustryPay television
FoundedFebruary 28, 2017; 4 years ago (2017-02-28)
Headquarters
901 Cherry Avenue, San Bruno, California, U.S.
Area served
United States
ServicesStreaming television
OwnerYouTube (Google)
Websitetv.youtube.com

YouTube TV is a streaming television service that offers live TV, on demand video and cloud-based DVR from more than 85 television networks,[1] including the Big Three broadcast networks and PBS in most markets. It is owned by YouTube, a subsidiary of Google, and is only available in the United States.

YouTube TV launched on February 28, 2017,[2] and is the presenting partner of the World Series and the NBA Finals.[3][4] As of January 2021; 11 months ago (2021-01), YouTube TV has over 3 million subscribers.[5]

History[]

YouTube TV began streaming in April 2017 in five U.S. markets – New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia and San Francisco,[2][6] In addition to national U.S. networks, YouTube TV broadcasts channels owned by those networks, their corporate owners and other media companies. Other channels include CNBC, MSNBC, BBC World News, The Smithsonian Channel (a venture by Showtime Networks and the Smithsonian Institution), Sundance TV (owned by AMC Networks), numerous sports channels, Disney Channel (owned by The Walt Disney Company), and BBC America (jointly owned by AMC Networks and BBC Studios). YouTube TV members also have access to YouTube Premium original movies and shows, though an additional subscription to Premium is required for ad-free content and extended app features.[7]

Also in 2017, YouTube added MLB Network and regional deals with the Seattle Sounders and Los Angeles FC of Major League Soccer.[8][9]

On February 14, 2018, YouTube TV began carrying the Time Warner-owned Turner Broadcasting System's cable networks (including, among others, TBS, TNT, CNN and Cartoon Network). In addition, YouTube TV also announced a deal to add NBA TV and MLB Network. With these additional channels, the service increased its monthly price for the first time in March 2018, from $34.99 to $39.99, with no grandfathering or opt-out available.[10]

The service expanded to cover 98 percent of U.S. households in January 2019.[11] In March 2019, YouTube TV launched in Glendive, Montana, thus becoming available in every TV market in the United States.[12]

On April 10, 2019, YouTube TV added nine networks owned by Discovery, Inc., bringing the service up to 70 channels.[13] The service announced a second monthly price increase, from $39.99 to $49.99, without grandfathering existing customers or allowing them to opt out.[14]

On July 29, 2019, at the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour in Pasadena, California, YouTube TV announced it had signed a landmark multi-year deal with PBS to allow carriage of live streams of PBS member stations and PBS Kids Channel beginning as early as the fourth quarter of 2019 (just before or after the November pledge drives of select PBS stations). The deal – which is PBS's first distribution agreement with a virtual multichannel video programming distributor (vMVPD) – would allow PBS stations the option of providing the direct over-the-air signals of local stations if they are able to clear the rights to at least 90% of their programming, a YouTube TV-exclusive dedicated feed in which shows that local PBS members are not able to clear for digital streaming would be replaced with separate programming or a PBS-provided national feed that would include programs fully cleared by the public broadcaster and localized station ID inserts (omitting local programs or pledge drives), and would allow YouTube TV to provide streams of up to three PBS member stations within a given market.

Stations that choose to offer their main signal must notify YouTube TV if they plan to air a show without rights clearances, in which the service will replace the program with a blackout notice screen.[15] On December 15, 2019, the first PBS affiliate stations were added to YouTube TV.[16]

On February 20, 2020, YouTube TV reached an agreement with WarnerMedia to carry HBO and Cinemax as add-ons, and allowing access to the upcoming HBO Max streaming service with a containing HBO subscription.[17]

On May 7, 2020, YouTube TV reached an expanded, multi-year deal with ViacomCBS, to add the company's prime cable networks that were notably absent since the streamer's launch. The deal also entails a continued commitment to distribute ViacomCBS’ premium subscription services, including Showtime, on YouTube TV, and an extended partnership to distribute the media company's content on the broader YouTube platforms.[18] Eight of the channels were added on June 30, bringing YouTube TV to over 85 channels. The addition was accompanied by the service's third monthly price increase, from $49.99 to $64.99, which also had no grandfathering or opt-out provisions.[1] Some competitors, such as Hulu + Live TV and FuboTV, have also implemented similar price increases over time.

On September 3, 2020, YouTube TV added the NFL Network to its base lineup and announced the Sports Plus add-on package, which includes premium sports networks such as NFL RedZone, MavTV, GolTV, Fox Soccer Plus, Stadium and TVG for an additional cost.[19]

On December 1, 2020, YouTube TV announced an agreement to carry Nexstar Media Group's NewsNation (the former WGN America) beginning in January 2021.[20]

On March 16, 2021, YouTube TV announced seven other lower-tier ViacomCBS networks which had been promised but not added in the May 7 announcement, would be added to the lineup.[21]

On September 2, 2021, YouTube TV announced on September 8 BeIN Sports, Outside TV, VSiN and more will be added to their Sports Plus add-on package.[22]

Features[]

YouTube TV offers a cloud-based DVR service with unlimited storage that saves recordings for nine months.[23] Each subscription can be shared among six accounts and allows up to three simultaneous streams.

Supported devices[]

Supported YouTube TV devices include:

Smart TVs[]

  • Android TV
  • LG Smart TV (on webOS 3.0 or higher)
  • Samsung Smart TV (2016 & higher models only)
  • Vizio Smartcast
  • Roku Smart TV[a]
  • Hisense Smart TV
  • Sharp Smart TV
  • Walton Smart TV

Streaming media players[]

Game consoles[]

  • PlayStation 4 (Original model, PS4 Slim, and PS4 Pro)
  • PlayStation 5 (Base and Digital editions)
  • Xbox 360 (Original model, Core Model, E Model, S Model, Elite Model, Arcade Model and Pro Model)
  • Xbox One (Original model, Xbox One S, Xbox One S All Digital Edition, and Xbox One X)
  • Xbox Series (Series S and Series X)

Mobile[]

  • Android mobile devices
  • iOS mobile devices (10.x or higher)

Computer[]

Carriage disputes[]

In February 2020, YouTube TV announced that Sinclair Broadcast Group-owned regional sports networks (including Fox Sports Networks and YES Network) would likely be pulled from the service on February 28, 2020, citing high carriage fees. On that day, YouTube TV announced that it had reached an interim agreement to continue offering the channels on the platform while negotiations are under way.[27] On March 5, 2020, YouTube TV and Sinclair reached a new deal to continue carrying all the Fox RSNs except three – the YES Network, Fox Sports Prime Ticket and Fox Sports West.[28] However, on October 1, 2020, the networks were pulled off the service after the two sides could not come to a renegotiation agreement.[29][30] The same month, YouTube TV dropped NESN, which carries games for the Boston Red Sox and the Boston Bruins.[31]

In September 2021, YouTube TV entered into a dispute with NBCUniversal when negotiating a renewal of their contract, with the latter warning that its channels would be removed from the service if they failed to reach an agreement by the end of the month.[32] NBC had reportedly demanded YouTube TV bundle their Peacock streaming service,[33] while YouTube TV announced that it would decrease their price by $10 if the contract is not renewed.[34] The two companies failed to reach an agreement by October 1, but agreed to a "short extension" to avoid the channels being taken down.[35] A deal was reached a day later.[36]

In December 2021, YouTube TV engaged in a dispute with The Walt Disney Company over a renewal in their contract, warning customers about the possible removal of ABC, Disney Channel, ESPN, Freeform, FX, National Geographic, and other Disney-owned networks should the two fail to reach an agreement.[37] Google and Disney were unable to renew their contract by the expiration date, resulting in YouTube TV's first contract-related blackout.[38] This was resolved a day later, with the two companies reaching a new deal.[39]

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ a b Removed from Roku channel store in April 2021;[24] folded into the main YouTube app in May;[25] re-added to the Roku channel store in December.[26]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Spangler, Todd (June 30, 2020). "YouTube TV Hikes Price by 30% to $65 per Month With Launch of ViacomCBS Channels". Variety. Archived from the original on June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "YouTube TV launches today. It has some cool features and some big drawbacks". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. April 5, 2017. Archived from the original on April 23, 2017. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  3. ^ Newman, Mark (October 3, 2017). "YouTube TV, MLB become World Series partners". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  4. ^ "NBA and YouTube TV announce first-ever presenting partnership of the NBA Finals". NBA.com (Press release). NBA Media Ventures, LLC. March 26, 2018. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  5. ^ "Lastest Cord Cutting Statistics, Facts and Trends [2021 edition]". March 12, 2020.
  6. ^ Christina Warren (April 5, 2017). "YouTube Is Officially in the Live TV Game Now". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on April 22, 2017. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  7. ^ Welch, Chris (April 5, 2017). "10 important things to know before signing up for YouTube TV". The Verge. Archived from the original on August 31, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  8. ^ Spangler, Todd (February 28, 2018). "YouTube TV Nabs Exclusive Streaming Rights to Seattle Sounders Games, Its Second MLS Deal". Variety. Archived from the original on May 5, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  9. ^ Wallenstein, Andrew; Spangler, Todd (January 31, 2018). "YouTube TV Strikes Unprecedented Deal for Pro Sports TV Rights (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on May 2, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  10. ^ Hipes, Patrick (February 14, 2018). "YouTube TV Adds Turner Networks, Bumps Price To $40". Deadline. Archived from the original on April 15, 2019. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  11. ^ Graham, Jefferson (January 23, 2019). "Heads up, cord cutters: YouTube TV goes national". USA Today. Archived from the original on January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  12. ^ Bouma, Luke (March 28, 2019). "YouTube TV Launches in Glendive, Montana & is Now Live Nationwide". Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  13. ^ Jarvey, Natalie (April 10, 2019). "YouTube TV Raises Price, Adds Discovery Channels". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 16, 2019. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  14. ^ Pelegrin, Williams (April 10, 2019). "YouTube TV adds more channels, raises price for the second time". Android Authority. Archived from the original on May 13, 2019. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  15. ^ Jill Goldsmith (July 29, 2019). "PBS forges deal with YouTube TV for localized live streams". Current. Archived from the original on July 30, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  16. ^ "PBS Member Stations Now Live on YouTube TV | PBS About". Archived from the original on December 30, 2019. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
  17. ^ Alexander, Julia (February 20, 2020). "HBO and HBO Max are headed to YouTube TV". The Verge. Archived from the original on February 22, 2020. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  18. ^ Spangler, Todd (May 7, 2020). "YouTube TV Is Adding 14 Cable Networks From ViacomCBS Under Expanded Pact". Variety. Archived from the original on May 7, 2020. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  19. ^ Fisher, Christine (September 3, 2020). "YouTube TV adds NFL Network to its core lineup". Engadget. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  20. ^ wgntv.com/news/newsnation-wgn-america-coming-to-youtube-tv-in-january-2021/
  21. ^ Prasham Parikh (March 17, 2021). "YouTube TV just got seven new channels". androidpolice.com. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  22. ^ Bowman, Ben. "YouTube TV Adds More Channels to Sports Plus Add-On on September 8". The Streamable. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  23. ^ "YouTube TV help". Archived from the original on January 16, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  24. ^ Welch, Chris (April 30, 2021). "Roku removes YouTube TV from channel store as dispute with Google escalates". The Verge. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  25. ^ Holt, K. (May 7, 2021). "YouTube crams YouTube TV into its main app on Roku". Engadget. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  26. ^ Boorstin, Julia; Sherman, Alex (December 8, 2021). "Roku stock pops on multiyear agreement with Google to keep YouTube on streaming platform". CNBC. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  27. ^ Welch, Chris (February 29, 2020). "YouTube TV will keep streaming Fox RSNs and YES Network during negotiations with Sinclair". The Verge. Archived from the original on February 29, 2020. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  28. ^ Spangler, Todd (March 5, 2020). "YouTube TV Inks Deal for 19 Fox Regional Sports Nets With Sinclair, Drops YES and Two Others". Variety. Archived from the original on March 5, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  29. ^ Alexander, Julia (September 30, 2020). "YouTube TV is losing Fox regional sports networks". The Verge. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  30. ^ Scrivens, Scott (September 30, 2020). "YouTube TV is losing Fox Regional Sports from October 1". Android Police. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  31. ^ Gurwin, Jason. "BREAKING: NESN To Be Dropped From YouTube TV on October 31st". The Streamable. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  32. ^ Spangler, Todd (September 26, 2021). "NBCU Warns YouTube TV Viewers They May Lose Channels, Including Local NBC Stations". Variety. Archived from the original on September 29, 2021. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  33. ^ Brodkin, Jon (September 28, 2021). "NBC demanded that YouTube TV bundle Peacock or lose access to NBC channels". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  34. ^ Li, Abner (September 26, 2021). "Google says YouTube TV will get a $10/month price drop if NBC channels leave next week". 9to5Google. Archived from the original on September 27, 2021. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  35. ^ Keck, Catie; Byford, Sam (September 30, 2021). "YouTube TV and NBCUniversal agree to 'short' extension to avoid channels disappearing". The Verge. Archived from the original on October 1, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  36. ^ Hayes, Dade (October 2, 2021). "NBCUniversal And YouTube TV Reach Carriage Deal, Avoid Blackout; NBCU Says It Felt "Obligated" To Warn Viewers – Update". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 2, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  37. ^ "YouTube TV warns customers they may lose access to 18 Disney-owned channels by week's end". TechCrunch. December 14, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  38. ^ Spangler, Todd (December 18, 2021). "Disney Channels Including ABC, ESPN Go Dark on YouTube TV After Google Deal Lapses". Variety. Archived from the original on December 18, 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  39. ^ Bella, Timothy (December 19, 2021). "YouTube TV to restore ABC, ESPN and other channels after making deal with Disney". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2021.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""