Andrew Orr
YouTube has announced a plan to offer subscriptions to over 30 rival streaming services on its platform, but not the highest profile ones such asApple TV+.
The streaming store Primetime Channels lets any YouTube user subscribe to Showtime, Paramount+, and more without having to leave YouTube.
Primetime Channels will have shows, movies, trailers, behind-the-scenes footage, and cast interviews. YouTube search and recommendations will surface content from streaming services, available at launch for people in the US.
YouTube says it will add more services to buy, including NBA League Pass. It also plans to introduce new features and expand the service internationally.
"We are excited to expand our partnership with YouTube to offer customers of Paramount+ another way to stream the content they love," said Jeff Shultz, Chief Strategy Officer and Business Development Officer, Paramount Streaming. "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."
In principle, the new service is similar to Apple TV Channels, a way for people to subscribe to streaming services and watch video content inside the Apple TV app. Platforms there include Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, and others.
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8 Comments
Although we don't know if Apple wants to sell Apple TV+ via Youtube, it is Google's right not to allow Apple TV+ on Youtube, just as it is Apple's right not to allow Epic, Spotify or any other developer on the Apple App Store. They don't even need a reason to justify the blocking of a specific developer.
It's a strange concept. If I already subscribed to Paramount+ and why would I want to watch it from within YouTube? It makes sense for Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV and Roku because they are hardware devices. YouTube is just a software.