YouTube is attacking the television market by offering free programs on its catalog with advertisements. YouTube’s video-on-demand service is not the only market player to offer such shows; since similar services such as Tubi, Xumo, Plex and Roku already allow streaming TV content.
Since 2018, YouTube was already streaming some movies for free with ads, including the Terminator and Rocky sagas. YouTube currently hosts more than 1,500 free movies from companies such as Disney, Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, Lionsgate and FilmRise. However, the arrival of shows should allow the platform to ensure that its subscribers spend more time on its application; thus dealing a major blow to traditional television.
In total, nearly 4,000 episodes of around a hundred more or less old programs from different channels are joining the YouTube catalog. We can notably mention Hell’s Kitchen with the famous chef Gorden Ramsay, Andromeda or Heartland. Google says many are available in 1080p (FHD+) with 5.1 surround sound on supported devices.
Unfortunately for many, they shouldn’t have access to new shows from YouTube’s catalog. Indeed, Google has indicated that for now, only the United States will benefit from this new feature. We hope that YouTube will probably consider broadcasting this and other TV content in more countries.
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YouTube adds thousands of free shows to its catalog
Americans will probably be able to access the shows from their computer, on the smartphone application, but also on connected TVs that use the YouTube application. As a reminder, Google even wants to go further in its offensive against television; by broadcasting free channels on Google TV. For this, Google is said to be in negotiations with smart TV providers like Sony and TCL to offer this service on their devices.
According to the latest reports, from May this year, movies and shows will no longer be available on the Play Store. If you want to buy the latest movies or check out your personal library; you’ll need to head to the Google TV app.
After the departure of the Movies and TV tab, the Play Store will only house 3 different tabs: Games, Apps and Books. Some users are also entitled to an “Offers” tab that offers promotions on applications that may be of interest to them, but this is not yet available to all users.
The transition from video content to the Google TV app highlights Google’s desire to better separate its various services. Fortunately, the Mountain View giant notes that users should find the same experience; as on the Play Store on the new Google TV application. Purchases will also still be able to be made using Google Play Points or gift cards; even though the movies are no longer found directly on Google’s store.
