YouTube is no stranger to paid subscription services. The website launched YouTube Premium (formerly called YouTube Red) in 2015, introducing many perks and features to users who decided to pay for it. The service has proven successful for Google, gaining over 50 million subscribers by Q3 2021. Google also launched YouTube TV to compete with cable companies and other live-television streaming platforms. As of 2022, YouTube TV is the most successful of these services, with an impressive 5 million users, edging out Hulu + Live TV.To potentially bring more viewers to the platform, Google is launching “Primetime Channels.” The feature acts as a hub for other TV services, like Paramount+ and Showtime, offering users a one-stop shop for all their streaming.
Integrating the service into YouTube provides excellent convenience for users. One can hypothetically view a Hardware Unboxed video and immediately swap to their favorite show on Paramount+ without leaving the YouTube platform. The long list of services coming with the initial launch of Primetime Channels include:
Showtime Paramount+ Starz AMC+ Epix Shudder Acorn TV Here TV CuriosityStream Comedy Dynamics Up Faith & Family Hallmark Movies Now All BLK Vix+ ConTV Docurama Moviesphere Dove Channel IFC ScreenPix Fandor Law & Crime Screambox Dekkoo Tastemade+ Outside TV+ Gaia Atres Player VSiN Topic Magnolia Selects The Great Courses
It is worth noting that users will only have access to the streaming catalog of shows or movies from these platforms. Users must view live TV options through the provider. For instance, services such as Paramount+ have live local CBS coverage. However, Primetime Channels will not support live content, only video on demand. Primetime Channels was supposed to roll out today, but it was not active for us at the time of publication.
