YouTube unveils live television service for US
Alphabet Inc's YouTube will launch a live TV service in the next few months that offers the four major US broadcast networks plus cable channels, it was announced in Tuesday.
The service, called YouTube TV, will cost $35 a month for six accounts, YouTube Chief Executive Susan Wojcicki told reporters at an event at YouTube's production space in Los Angeles.
More than 40 networks including Walt Disney Co's ESPN will be offered, as well as YouTube's original series starring creators from the platform, executives said.
YouTube's offering will compete with Dish Network Corp's Sling TV, AT&T's DirecTV Now and Sony Corp's PlayStation Vue.
All are services designed to attract viewers who dropped traditional pay TV packages or never signed up in the first place.
None of these have been huge hits yet. YouTube is hoping its expertise in recommendations and search makes it stand out.
YouTube is pursuing subscriptions to complement the largest ad-supported video site in the world. YouTube introduced its first paid subscription service, Red, in the US in autumn 2015.
YouTube Red, which has since expanded to Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and South Korea, is expected to be launched in the UK this year.
The service allows subscribers to watch videos without viewing adverts beforehand, as well as gaining access to a roster of exclusive shows.
It also allows subscribers to download shows to watch offline and in the background on smartphones, and includes access to Google Play Music, the company’s music streaming competitor to Spotify and Apple Music.
