The evolving television landscape has become one of the most fascinating elements of the entertainment field over the last decade. So-called “cord-cutters” have abandoned traditional cable contracts in favorite of streaming options like Netflix and Hulu, shaking up old-fashioned concepts of ratings (Netflix famously refuses to share their numbers) and leaving cable companies on the defenses as they contend with an audience who no longer cherish appointment TV and definitely don’t want to be tied down to contracts.
Well, here’s a new thorn in their side. YouTube has announced a new live-streaming TV option along the lines of Dish Network’s Sling TV, Sony’s PlayStation Vue, AT&T’s DirecTV Now that offers a fairly comprehensive network package for $35 a month. The biggest gaps in coverage are the absence of major Viacom networks like MTV and Comedy Central, Turner Broadcasting (CNN, TBS, and TNT), AMC, A+E, Discovery Networks, and Time Warner. On the upside the package includes an unlimited cloud DVR and a 6-member accounts that allow for 3 concurrent streams at a time.
Here’s a statement from theofficial announcement:
There’s no question that people love TV, from live sports to breaking news to sitcoms and dramas. But the truth is, there are a lot of limitations in how to watch TV today. Unlike online video, people can’t watch TV when they want, on any screen and on their terms, without commitments. Consumers have made it clear that they want live TV without all the hassle. They don’t want to worry about their DVR filling up. They don’t want to miss a great game or their favorite show because they’re on the go. They tell us they want TV to be more like YouTube.
Here’s a handy graphic breakdown of all the networks included in the package:
Here’s what YouTube TV offers:
YouTube TV will roll out first in the largest U.S. markets before quickly expanding to cover more cities across the country. No official launch schedule has been announced but you can keep up with the updates ontv.youtube.com.
