YouTube on Tuesday unveiled a streaming television service offering bundles of live channels, in a direct challenge by the Google-owned network to traditional cable and pay TV.
YouTube TV was tailored for younger generations seeking news, films and more programmes without subscribing to cable or satellite service, according to YouTube chief executive Susan Wojcicki.
The new service will allow subscribers in US markets to get access on any connected device to networks such as ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC, along with “sports networks and dozens of popular cable networks,” according to YouTube.
Set to launch in the coming months, YouTube TV will cost US$35 monthly, with six user accounts allowed per subscriber, positioning itself to compete against so-called “skinny bundles” from Dish Network’s Sling TV and AT&T’s DirecTV Now.
“YouTube TV is designed specifically for the needs of a new generation of TV fans who want to watch what they want, when they want, how they want without commitment,” Wojcicki said during a press briefing streamed from YouTube offices in Southern California.
YouTube TV will also combine user-created content from the Google-owned online video sharing service, with delivery customised for viewing screens from smartphones to big-screen televisions.