That’s right – YouTube TV has launched it’s Live streaming TV service that could replace your cable service. Or can it? YouTube TV officially launched April 5th in 5 cities and surrounding areas. (I was able to sign up for the 30 Day Free Trial 25 miles outside New York City.) But since then they have opened it up to about 50 cities – see list here.
- NY
- LA
- San Francisco Bay area
- Philadelphia
- Chicago
Do you think you can cut the cord? There’s more involved than you think when it comes to replacing your channels, but all in all I think we are being gien a good chance at cutting the cord with the cable industry.
Personally, I’m excited for this. It may not be perfect, and there my not be an abundant amount of channels, but moving forward, this is the model in which people will watch TV/movies/shows. YouTube TV has the potential to work well for all the cord cutters who don’t want an entire cable subscription. But it is one step and cost in the mix of media you will want – see article on media strategy.
Users will have access to over 40 channels by default, but they can also add a few others for a few extra bucks, like Showtime. Anyone who wants to simply record their TV programs can do so via digital DVR, which comes with unlimited storage, so that’s cool. However, the biggest advantage that YouTube TV has over its competitors like DirectTV appears to be the reliability of the streaming, which certainly adds to its appeal.
To get started with live streaming TV:
- Check out tv.youtube.com today to start your free trial.
- You can also sign up on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
- If you’re not in one of the initial launch markets but want to find out when YouTube TV is coming to your area, you can sign up here.
Heres the stuff you get with a YouTube TV membership, you’ll get:
- Live TV streaming from ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports Networks, Comcast SportsNet and dozens more. YouTube TV gives you the best of live TV, from must-see shows like “Empire,” “The Voice,” “The Big Bang Theory” and “Scandal,” to the live sports you want from the NBA, MLB, NFL, and NCAA. Based on where you live, you’ll get your local broadcast TV stations covering local sports and news. You’ll also get dozens of popular cable channels, including FX, USA, Disney Channel, Bravo, MSNBC, Fox News. And you can add Showtime or Fox Soccer Plus for an additional charge. In total, YouTube TV will give you more than 50 networks, listed below.
- A cloud DVR, with no storage limits. With YouTube TV, your cloud DVR can record as many shows as you want, simultaneously, without ever running out of storage. You can keep each of your recordings for nine months.
- TV when it matters, where it matters. You can watch YouTube TV on your phone, tablet or computer—and you can easily stream to your TV with a Google Chromecast or Chromecast built-in TV (we’ll be supporting even more connected TV devices later this year). And your cloud DVR goes with you, so you can stream your recordings on any device, whenever you want and wherever you go in the U.S.
- YouTube Red Originals. With a YouTube TV membership, you can watch all of our YouTube Red Original series and movies right in the new YouTube TV app.
- Six accounts included. You can share your YouTube TV membership with your family and roommates, and each account will receive its own unique recommendations and cloud DVR with no storage limits. Your household can watch up to three streams at a time.
- More networks coming soon. We’re excited to announce that AMC, BBC America, IFC, Sundance TV, WE tv, and BBC World News will be included soon at no additional charge. These networks will join Telemundo and others listed below as networks coming to YouTube TV soon after launch. This means you’ll be able to watch shows like “The Walking Dead,” “Doctor Who,” and your favorite telenovelas. And you’ll also be able to add Sundance Now or Shudder for an additional charge.
