tv.youtube.com
YouTube has been gradually gaining more control over the digital media industry, including streaming services. This can be seen with their recent releases of YouTube Music, YouTube Premium, YouTube Go, and YouTube TV. These services continue to harass users by asking them if they want to try them out repeatedly even after saying no. However, clicking no thanks does not stop these offers from appearing again. It is important for users to be aware and resist these constant requests from YouTube.
Despite jokes being made about it, I have been curious to try out some of YouTube's ancillary services for a while now. My interest was piqued by the idea of using YouTube Music, which I use to watch a lot of videos with music that is difficult to find on streaming services.
I have also heard nothing but good things about YouTube TV's service, which we will be taking a look at today. So, then, this begs the question: is our immediate rejection of YouTube's premium services truly warranted? Furthermore, why is it that the general public seems to be so reluctant to give them a shot?
Given YouTube's increasingly tarnished public image, exploring whether or not ads on the platform are actually harmful is an important question. It?s frustrating that these pesky ads and surveys now interrupt our video viewing, but it seems that they might be a bigger problem than we initially thought. Many users have turned off YouTube or stopped using it altogether as a result.
Another reason for YouTube's public relations crisis stems from its overzealous censorship. This is another aspect of YouTube that has slowly crept up on users, flying under the radar long enough until it began to reach a fever pitch in the last year or two. YouTube is no longer a place for total and unadulterated free speech.
If you upload a video onto YouTube, it is subject to the whims of the site's administrators. If the video's content or viewpoint displeases them, they may remove it. Additionally, if your channel is monetized, they may take away your ability to make money simply for expressing unpopular opinions.
On the one hand, YouTube technically has the right to remove any video as they see fit. However, from an ethical standpoint, their decision to do so is more complicated, as many see it as a dangerous precedent to set.
Today I would like to look at one of the paid subscription services that YouTube offers, simply in the context of how it functions and whether it is worth our money. Because there is potential with something like YouTube TV to be a lifesaver for cord-cutters all around the world.
History
YouTube TV was created as a trial run in five major markets. It was meant to replace cable television and be an "over-the-top" streaming service that offers users more choice in what they watch.
From the moment of its launch, YouTube TV offered live streaming of some of the top cable networks. Users were instantly able to live stream channels like ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, FX, and the Discovery Channel. As time went on, YouTube TV acquired even more networks, including the Disney Channel, MSNBC, BBC, and too many others to list. Essentially in a relatively short period of time YouTube TV had a substantial online cable network on their hands.
Design
There are many (I myself included) who find the site design of the basic YouTube version cluttered, clunky, and more difficult to navigate than necessary. I think it is unfortunate that you haven't made much progress in redesigning your site since you launched 15 years ago.
However, YouTube TV has impressed many users with its modern look and feel, streamlined design, and compatibility across various devices. It is easier to use and navigate than the original YouTube TV, and can be used on any device - including newer smart TVs (from LG, Samsung, Hisense, Vizio, Sharp, etc.), Xbox One, Android phones and tablets, iOS devices including the iPhone and iPad, and the Fire TV stick. This makes it perfect for the whole family.
The layout of YouTube TV, regardless of device you access it on, is familiar enough to the traditional YouTube interface without nearly as many flaws. This results in the ability to pick it up and immediately know how to use it - a level of intuitive design that you could only get from such an iconic site.
Content
As I mentioned before, YouTube TV offers a large roster of television networks from which to choose. In fact, depending on your location, YouTube TV gives you live streaming access to 70+ channels, which is for the price (discussed momentarily) right on par (if not a better deal) than most local cable providers will offer. Add to that the fact that with YouTube TV, you can keep up with all of your favorites shows no matter where you are, and you have the recipe for superior version, an evolved version of traditional cable TV viewing.
Subscription to YouTube TV allows you to create 6 unique accounts with individual viewing privileges. This means that the whole family can watch whichever shows they want without fighting over who gets to watch what. Speaking of fights over TV shows, YouTube TV boasts that its cloud-based recording capabilities make it the only DVR on the market with unlimited storage space. You can record as many shows as you want and they will be stored for 9 months. You can also stream everything from your DVR library on any device at any time, making TV watching more convenient than ever before.
YouTube TV grants subscribers access to all of YouTube Premium's original content, including shows that are not currently airing on local television. However, a YouTube Premium account is not included with the subscription.
Desktop and Mobile Experience
As I touched on earlier, YouTube TV functions and operates similarly to YouTube, only in an optimized, less glitchy, more dependable way. Whether you are streaming live television on your smartphone, desktop computer, or smart TV, this platform performs consistently.
It is streamlined, so when you stop watching a show on one device and move to another, granted you are on the same account, simply pick back up where you left off (at least for recorded content). As far as live TV is concerned, switching devices is as easy as turning the television off and then back on again. Regardless of what device you are on or what kind of device you are using, you can be guaranteed a consistent and convenient viewing experience.
Pricing and Plans
I promised a few paragraphs up to give you the scoop on how YouTube TV might actually be less expensive than traditional cable subscriptions. Well, on the site itself, YouTube TV makes the following claim: ?Cut the cord and save $700 a year. YouTube TV has no hidden fees, unlike traditional services.? All you pay is the monthly fee that you agree to pay upfront - you won?t pay extra for DVR, HD, cable boxes, cancellation, sports channels, or local channels.
The fee that you agree to pay upfront is only $49.99 per month - cheaper if not on par with most cable plan prices.
Suggestions I Have for YouTube TV
I would like YouTube TV to extend the duration of time that you can hold onto recorded programs. Ideally, you could keep at least some of them indefinitely, or, say, a few years. This would put other streaming services like Netflix or Hulu in hot water the way that YouTube has already put pressure on traditional cable providers.
Conclusion
If one already subscribes to cable, it would appear that YouTube TV is a good option because it offers nearly the same content as cable for a cheaper price.
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