Google takes one more step to make watching traditional cable television obsolete. For the last few years, streaming services like Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Hulu have drawn young users away from TV and offered them entertainment when they want and where they want. YouTube TV now aims to combine the best of both words by offering cable channels live on the Internet.
Live TV on the Internet has been mulled over the years by many. There are also some individual web sites that broadcast their News feeds and programs live on the Internet. However, this has not really taken off. YouTube already has over a billion users and is the preferred entertainment location for many. Its biggest advantage is offering good quality viewing experience at lower speeds and mobility – whether you are waiting to catch a flight or want to steal a peek during camping.
Should you be excited about this new service? We think you surely should. Although the service will intially be availbale only in a few areas, more will be added soon. For now, you can subscribe to YouTube TV in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia & San Francisco Bay Area only.
You can start with a free one month trial and then will have to pay $35 as a monthly subscription fee. This will, of course, be above your Internet subscription cost. But it will come with a few advantages.
YouTube TV Channel List
Youtube TV is offering 40 channels with its launch. These include popular channels like Fox, CBS, NBC and many more. However, channels like Comedy Central and MTV, popular among the young demographic will be missed on the platform. Here is the complete channel list available on YouTube now.
Cloud DVR
You no longer have to worry about how much space you have left on your DVR. Or ruch to delete the old programs that you haven’t watched yet to make room for the new ones this week. YouTube TV comes with Cloud DVR that offers users unlimited storage space. Yes unlimited. However, there is a catch. You cannot store any programs for more than nine months. Which is not a catch, really.
Don’t Miss a Show Ever
If you are a TV junkie like me, you will always face a situation when there are more than two shows airing at the same time across networks and have to miss out on at least one. You no longer have to wait for the repeat telecast. With YouTube TV and the Cloud DVR you can record multiple shows simultaneously and watch them back to back :).
Device Compatibility
Projecting feed from your smart phone to TV is clumsy and not the best option. YouTube TV comes with connectivity from Google’s multiple platforms. So you can watch TV on you phone while travelling or enjoy it on your big screen TV through Chromecast. YouTube is also offering a free Chromecast device with the subscription for a limited time.
Multiple Customizations
Sharing is Caring! You can share your subscription with at least six people including your friends. Each of them gets a different Login Id and can customize their viewing experience.
Access
As long as you are in the US, you can access your subscription from anywhere. However, there are a few restriction to what you will be able to watch. The channels and programming will be restricted by where you are in the country. Google also advises that you login from your home base regularly to have access to the channels that are available in your location.
International travel is also not supported at this time. So if you travel out of the country, this subscription will not work. Hey, but I couldn’t carry cable across the street! so this is good for now.
Leave a Reply