Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) has finally enabled live streaming services.
YouTube TV streaming services have been availed in Los Angeles, New Yolk, Chicago, Philadelphia and San Francisco Bay region. The services will be provided at a cost of $35 on a monthly basis. The price accounts for six accounts. Each person is able to have a personalized account. Channels include FOX, ABC, NBC, ESPN, CBS as well as Fox Sports Network.
The offering involves mixing live streams of cable television programming and broadcast with the vast online video available on YouTube. This is the latest technology in an influx of over the top (OTT) services which are trying to get consumers who never appreciated the traditional cord TV.
Features of the new YouTube Channel
The new introduction challenges the convectional cable TV during a period when people are increasingly cutting the cord and adopting purely online services such as Sling TV. The only setback is that YouTube does not have large TV networks unlike CNN, TBS and Discovery channels. This makes it an incomplete option.
It will be lacking channels from Viacom which include prominent names such as MTV and Comedy Central. Other channels that will be missing include, TNT, Time Warner, A+E Networks and AMC Networks.
Free first month
The company made the announcement last month indicating that the services will be available for free during the first month on a trial basis. The services include ad free YouTube version, free access to YouTube Red, Free Google Play music live steaming as well as free Google Chromecast digital media player. This is only after customers pay for the full first month charges.
The service also enables users to share the YouTube TV for up to a maximum of six different people. Each person will be in a position to acquire their own individual accounts. Only three TV streams are possible at a time though. The company reported that it will be able to provide more networks in the future and it will also launch in other cities.
The specific launching date was not given but reports have it that it will be in the next few months. It will be available first in the large markets before spreading to the smaller cities.
