YouTube TV Release Date News: Google Launches Live TV Streaming for $35 a Month

By Georgia Gana, Christian Post Contributor Thursday, March 02, 2017

Google-owned video-sharing website YouTube has announced that it is launching YouTube TV, a paid streaming service where subscribers will be able to stream live TV from over 40 networks. Considering that people are now watching one billion hours of YouTube each day, the company's decision to join Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Sling TV, DirectTV Now and the like isn't all that surprising.

According to YouTube, for $35 a month, subscribers will gain access to their favorite television shows, live sports and local news anytime and anywhere. A YouTube TV membership will allow live TV streaming for six accounts with up to three concurrent streams at a time. Unlike other services, YouTube TV does not require commitment from subscribers so membership can be canceled anytime.

YouTube TV offers access to ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, as well as regional sports networks and dozens of popular cable networks. Other channels available on YouTube's streaming service include Bravo, Disney Channel, E!, Freeform, FX and Showtime (for an added fee). Additional networks are also expected to be added down the line. Furthermore, subscribers will be able to access YouTube Red and Google Play Music for free.

Subscribers can also record live TV without having to worry about their DVR or mobile phone's storage space. With YouTube TV, users will gain access to a cloud-based DVR so they can record as many shows as they want — even those that are airing simultaneously. Recorded videos can be stored for up to nine months.

YouTube TV can be accessed on mobile phones, tablets and computers using a standalone app that will be launched later this year. Video content can also be streamed on televisions via Google Chromecast. Furthermore, some TVs in the market already have Chromecast built in.

YouTube has not announced a specific release date for YouTube TV but the paid streaming service is expected to arrive in the largest U.S. markets in the coming months.