Google pushes YouTube TV app for Apple TV into 2018

By Roger Fingas

People wanting to use a native Apple TV app to watch Google's YouTube TV will have to wait until the first quarter of next year, as the company says it will miss an original 2017 target.

Also postponed until next year is a native Roku client, according to CNET. An early version of that app has appeared on Roku devices in the past, but it can't yet be downloaded to the Roku OS homescreen.

Next quarter will additionally see support for 2014 and 2015 Samsung TVs, and Sony TVs running an older Linux-based OS instead of Android TV.

YouTube TV is Google's answer to services like Sling TV and PlayStation Vue, letting iewers watch some 40-plus channels, with an emphasis on the major broadcast networks ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox. It is however missing Turner and Viacom channels like CNN and the Cartoon Network.

The Apple TV is indirectly supported via Apple AirPlay, but that requires using the iPhone and iPad app as a remote. Other streaming options include Chromecasts, Android TV, the Xbox One, and more recent LG and Samsung TVs.

YouTube TV is currently available in over 80 U.S. cities such as Austin, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, and Seattle.