YouTube mulling Apple TV Channels competitor, report says

AppleInsider

YouTube executives are reportedly contemplating the expansion of a feature that allows customers to subscribe to streaming services operated by third-parties like entertainment companies, an option Apple rolled out in 2019 with Apple TV Channels.

Citing people familiar with the matter, The Information reports YouTube over the past few months held discussions with a number of content owners to feel out potential partnerships. Whether the talks were fruitful or are ongoing remains unknown.

For consumers, the feature provides a streamlined signup process from a convenient and easy accessible online portal. Streaming providers are granted exposure and the potential for subscriber growth, while YouTube stands to gain a cut of subscription fees for the trouble.

If the plan moves forward, it would signal a serious market move for YouTube, which currently offers access to a limited selection of third-party streaming services through its YouTube TV product.

A play at cord cutters, YouTube TV is a subscription service that delivers on-demand and live access to content from more than 70 network and basic cable channels for $50 a month. Premium channels, like Epix,
Showtime, Sundance Now and sports networks, are available for additional fee. In an earnings call last week YouTube revealed more than 2 million people are subscribed to the product.

Both Amazon and Apple offer subscription service tie-ins with their respective over-the-top products. Apple, for example, announced Apple TV Channels last March and debuted the feature in the Apple TV app with iOS 12.3 two months later.

At launch, Apple TV Channels offered subscription options for Cinemax, EPIX, HBO, MTV Hits, Showtime, Smithsonian, Starz and Tastemade. That selection has since expanded to 28 channels, including CBS All Access, PBS Living, Acorn TV, Sundance Now, Lifetime Movie Club, UMC, Curiosity Stream, Comedy Central Now, Shudder, History Vault, Mubi, Arrow Video Channel, Noggin, A&E Crime Central, BritBox, BET+, IFC, Up Faith & Family, Nick Hits and Moonbug Kids.

GeorgeBMac

If my 13 year old grandson is any indication, this could have potential.

Despite the fact that his family has a full range Comcast cable with "all" the channels and options and the fact that his mom regularly brings home DVDs from her library, he has no interest in anything but YouTube.

Even when "watching TV" with his family, he sits with his phone glued to his nose watching YouTube while sitting next to his mom who is watching the TV.  Strangely, it being on his phone may be part of its attraction to him (The TV is internet enabled and, I believe, can access YouTube -- but he has no interest in it).

So, this could be a natural extension of YouTube for him.

jcs2305

GeorgeBMac said:

If my 13 year old grandson is any indication, this could have potential.

Despite the fact that his family has a full range Comcast cable with "all" the channels and options and the fact that his mom regularly brings home DVDs from her library, he has no interest in anything but YouTube.

Even when "watching TV" with his family, he sits with his phone glued to his nose watching YouTube while sitting next to his mom who is watching the TV.  Strangely, it being on his phone may be part of its attraction to him (The TV is internet enabled and, I believe, can access YouTube -- but he has no interest in it).

So, this could be a natural extension of YouTube for him.

Most kids use Youtube at the free tier.  Are these extensions not paid subscriptions, or am I reading this wrong. Like if you have HBO Go or Hulu you would be able to access those services via the Youtube TV App?  

We subscribe to YouTube Premium which is separate from YouTube Tv, and love it.  No Ads and the app stays open on your devices when they are locked. So if you are listening to an audiobook or sports show recap the app doesn't pause when the phone or ipad Auto locks.

MacPro

This is all such a mess.  Take Hulu bundled with Disney+ as an example, the 'Networks' included are already disallowing any money making series from the 'Network' as streamed through Hulu and creating new 'higher level' versions of their 'Network' stations.  Try and watch Picard on CBS via Hulu as just one of countless examples.  It's one scam after another.  There must be rooms full of marketing MBAs at every media company spending day in day out figuring out how they can screw Joe Public.  

GeorgeBMac

jcs2305 said:

GeorgeBMac said:

If my 13 year old grandson is any indication, this could have potential.

Despite the fact that his family has a full range Comcast cable with "all" the channels and options and the fact that his mom regularly brings home DVDs from her library, he has no interest in anything but YouTube.

Even when "watching TV" with his family, he sits with his phone glued to his nose watching YouTube while sitting next to his mom who is watching the TV.  Strangely, it being on his phone may be part of its attraction to him (The TV is internet enabled and, I believe, can access YouTube -- but he has no interest in it).

So, this could be a natural extension of YouTube for him.

Most kids use Youtube at the free tier.  Are these extensions not paid subscriptions, or am I reading this wrong. Like if you have HBO Go or Hulu you would be able to access those services via the Youtube TV App?  

We subscribe to YouTube Premium which is separate from YouTube Tv, and love it.  No Ads and the app stays open on your devices when they are locked. So if you are listening to an audiobook or sports show recap the app doesn't pause when the phone or ipad Auto locks.

He has YouTube Premium too.  

SpamSandwich

MacPro said:

This is all such a mess.  Take Hulu bundled with Disney+ as an example, the 'Networks' included are already disallowing any money making series from the 'Network' as streamed through Hulu and creating new 'higher level' versions of their 'Network' stations.  Try and watch Picard on CBS via Hulu as just one of countless examples.  It's one scam after another.  There must be rooms full of marketing MBAs at every media company spending day in day out figuring out how they can screw Joe Public.  

Yes, they’re in business to make money and part of that includes finding the “pain points” for subscribers. Stop paying for these services then see how they adjust.