YouTube goes UNPLUGGED in 2017!
With Hulu joining the online TV streaming wars of Sony’s VUE and Dish Network’s Sling TV – another major player is set to offer up a cord-cutting experience of their own. According to Bloomberg, Google, who’s been preparing for an online live TV service since 2012, is reportedly working on a new paid-subscription service, dubbed YouTube Unplugged.
At the moment, the service’s price point will likely be less than $35, and allow subscribers to watch live broadcast and basic cable/satellite content without a subscription from TV carriers. Much like many media companies looking to avoid custom Skinny-TV packages on Apple TV, the Google-owned streamer has been in talks with CBS, 21st Century Fox, NBCUniversal and Viacom.
However, the major providers have been reluctant to offer custom channel plans for the digital services, which hinders cheaper rates per channel. Majors like Verizon, Comcast and AT&T Inc. will be in the clear of paying more to large media companies, due to packaged bundles – but imminent mass cord-cutting could see those companies having to offering cheaper rates in the coming years.
YouTube is Launching New Ad-Free Subscription Service, YouTube Red
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