Report: YouTube is plotting an online TV service with ESPN, CBS, and ABC to launch next year
According to The Information, the launch is planned for the next six to nine months with a tentative list of partners that includes ESPN, CBS, and ABC, with others to come. The price was rumored to be $35 per month, which would be competitive with PlayStation Vue (depending on the package you choose) and Sling TV.
Google may leverage its massive vault of YouTube content by organizing videos by topic, such as home improvement or documentaries, as a way to account for areas where the service wouldn’t have a more traditional channel.
Additionally, the report suggested that some of the motivation for the plan is the pitiful performance of YouTube Red, a $10 per month service that also includes Google Play Music. It apparently hasn’t taken off, and popularity of the original programming for the service is underwhelming. As with most rumors there’s sure to be more that leaks out before anything becomes official, so we’ll update you should we hear anything else.
Why this matters: Smart TV is the future of television, and Google (which has unrequited television ambitions) definitely wants a place on your main screen. The drawback to cord cutting for many is the lack of life live and network television options, particularly with sports and news. YouTube seems to have this in mind with its possible partners, so it may be worth a look when this comes to fruition.