YouTube TV is gaining a further cost increase, trying to make it a little less competitive with the cable TV service providers it seeks to replace its live TV streaming service. The business today revealed that its the program will now charge $64.99 a month for new subscribers, beginning today, June 30. The move would also be mirrored after June 30, during the next payment period for existing members.
The price change is only one of the price rises that YouTube TV has undergone since its launch, beginning with such a small $5 a month raise in 2018, accompanied by a somewhat bigger price spike to $50 a month last year.
The surge is attributed to the increasing production prices for the subscription television service as the pay-television market falls in the middle of a spike in cutting the cord — a phenomenon which is now growing up.
YouTube TV had declared in May that as part of an expanded distribution agreement it would shortly gain 14 more ViacomCBS channels. That involved introducing additional networks such as BET, CMT, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, TV Land, and VH1, which are all currently available, which takes the base schedule for YouTube TV to over 85 channels.
The company stated that other networks that were part of the same agreement — including BET Her, MTV2, MTV Classic, Nick Jr., NickToons, and TeenNick — are expected to launch at a future date.
Whereas YouTube TV did not reveal its plans to raise rates back in May, every time a provider says it adds channels to its core offering is to be predicted at this moment.
Yet recent additions aren’t necessarily necessary for some 2 million viewers to YouTube TV.
The initial goal of online live TV services was for a cheaper monthly amount, smaller lineups, and even a la carte offerings.
Similar to the hundreds of channels provided by satellite and cable operators, platforms including Sling TV, Hulu with Live TV, Philo and many others deliver pared backchannel options. But they’ve gradually narrowed the gap with cable in the years after their respective releases by introducing more and more networks to base packages and increasing costs.
YouTube TV has also recently launched premium add-ons like Cinemax and HBO Max, in addition to the ViacomCBS channels.
Now, YouTube TV is focused on feature set rather than trying to woo customers on size.
YouTube TV, for example, today unveiled a new app that encourages viewers to switch to specific clips within the service’s curated news channels, beginning first on Television screens and expanding to smartphones over the next several weeks. This also praised its limitless DVR, dark theme option, “Mark Watched” feature and modified Live Guide for the whole week ahead with access to television programming.
“We do not really take these steps lightly and understand quite tough this is for our fans,” read the post from YouTube TV, explaining the cost increase.
“All said, this current pricing represents the increasing cost of programming, and we really feel it demonstrates the entire value of YouTube TV, from our range of content to apps all transform the way we experience live TV,” wrote Christian Oestlien, YouTube TV VP of Brand management. “YouTube TV is the only subscription channel which provides an infinite disk space DVR plus six household accounts according to their own exclusive reviews and three overlapping streams. It’s all included within the YouTube TV’s base cost, without a contract and with no hidden fees, “he said.
The organization also noted that it was trying to create more versatile options for YouTube TV subscribers, but did not include information on what such versions are or when they would launch.
