TV is an integral part of our lives -- as we catch up in terms of news on it, catch our favorite sitcoms for comic relief after a stressful day at work, and of course not to forget, enjoying live sports events and comedies as it happens. No doubt the fare on TV has improved by leaps and bounds over the years, but when will the technological drive be there to enable us to watch live TV regardless of where we are, and the kind of device that we use? YouTube TV intends to answer this particular question -- and does so not through requiring the consumer to stump up more money including monthly commitment fees and equipment fees.
YouTube TV sees limited geographical availability
...and that’s to be expected. After all, you do test something out in new, strategic markets to make sure that it is able to run nicely without any hiccups before implementing it everywhere else, right? YouTube TV will first launch all over the US’ largest metro areas: New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, Chicago, and Philadelphia. Additional markets will open up in the US in due time, and the YouTube TV membership will cost you $35 each month. Sure, it is not chump change, but it is also less than half of what the average cable subscription would cost you -- sans any penalties should you decide to exit at the time of your choosing.
Yes, you read that right. You can check out anytime you want, even less than a month after you signed up, if you are not happy with the service and fare that you are receiving. At least Google is kind enough to provide the masses with a free one month trial just to have them hooked. Not only that, those who decide to shoot for the trial will also receive a free Google Chromecast after completing the first month’s payment -- as long as it is available, that is.
What does my YouTube TV membership give me?
Each YouTube TV membership (notice they do not use the word ‘subscription’) will see live TV streaming from ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports Networks, Comcast SportsNet, among others. NBA, MLB, NFL, and NCAA action will be there, and depending on where you live, you will also be able to enjoy local broadcast TV stations that cover local sports and news.
Other hugely popular cable channels such as FX, USA, Disney Channel, Bravo, MSNBC, and Fox News will be part of the deal, and if you would like to have Showtime or Fox Soccer Plus, just stump up a wee bit more cash. YouTube TV will serve up over 50 networks, while your cloud DVR allows you to have virtually unlimited DVR storage, with support for simultaneous show recording. Each recording has a shelf life of nine months, so do make sure that you have the time to catch up on all of the recorded shows!
Sharing is caring
YouTube Red Originals can be viewed with a YouTube TV membership, all done in the new YouTube TV app to boot. Best of all is, you can also share your YouTube TV membership with your family and roommates -- up to half a dozen people, since each account will carry its special recommendations and cloud DVR without any storage limits, viewing up to three streams at once.
