As rumored in August, the main YouTube app is letting you subscribe directly to paid streaming services with what it calls “Primetime Channels” in the US.
Meant to complement the existing lineup of Creator channels and movie/TV show purchasing, YouTube will let you “sign up, browse and watch your favorite TV shows, movies and sports from streaming services.”
Top comment by JG
I like the idea of having everything in one place (pay attention Google Chat/Messages teams)...
I spent literally an entire afternoon trying to teach my aunt how to use just the Pluto TV app. Once she had it down I had her switch over to a different app to stream something from it and she suddenly had no idea of how to even possibly start. Everything I had just spent hours teaching her about moving the curser around etc had gone out the window...
Having all of her content pulled through a single interface would be very helpful. Learn how to search once and she can pull up her favorite Hallmark movie or her soap from CBS etc...
[And of course she made sure before we left the TV was back to her cable box so she could watch her shows while we were gone. And the next time we visited she's again complaining about how cable is so expensive she just wants to drop it... "Oh you mean I can watch stuff for free on that?!?". "yes! That's why we got it for you!". "well no one has taught me how to use it yet!". "I bloody spent all afternoon teaching it to you last time we were here!"]
Your Primetime Channels will be integrated across YouTube search and recommendations. Additionally, “Primetime Channels homepages will feature shows and movies with curated trailers, behind-the-scenes footage and cast interviews.” You can sign-up from the Movies & TV hub, which was recently revamped with a bigger focus on free ad-supported content.
This new feature gives us the opportunity to expand our presence on YouTube, broadening our reach and giving consumers even more choice when it comes to streaming the best in entertainment.
Jeff Shultz, Chief Strategy Officer and Business Development Officer, Paramount Streaming
One of the apparent benefits today is being able to watch content via the YouTube interface and excellent streaming infrastructure. Google is positioning YouTube as the one place to watch content to combat how it “can get a little overwhelming jumping from app to app to find what you’re looking for.” It follows Apple TV Channels, Amazon Prime Video, and even YouTube TV.
At launch, there are over 30 Primetime Channels, including Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, Moviesphere, AMC+, Vix+, Epix, Screenpix, Sundance Now, Acorn TV, IFC Films Unlimited, ALLBLK, Shudder, RCN Total, Hallmark Movies Now, Topic, Tastemade+, The Great Courses, HereTV, AtresMedia, Magnolia Selects, Outside TV, Comedy Dynamics, Dove, CONtv, Fandor, Docurama, Screambox, Law & Crime, VSIN, Dekkoo, Up Faith & Family, Gaia, and Curiosity Stream.
NBA League Pass is an upcoming addition, while HBO Max is curiously absent.
More on YouTube:
- YouTube channels will finally stop showing Shorts in the Videos tab
- How the new, darker YouTube look compares to the old design [Gallery]
- YouTube for Android adds a navigation drawer in latest Explore revamp
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