MUMBAI: From user generated content on YouTube in the beginning to original content on YouTube Red to live streaming of more than 40 channels in the US on YouTubeTV – that’s the direction the world’s largest media company Google is taking. Earlier this week Google announced the launch of the service at a monthly sticker price of $35 for six user accounts per home. Each account comes with its own viewer profile which tracks what you watch to enable recommendation and separate cloud based DVRs with unlimited storage.

No launch date for the service has been announced, but YouTube is asking interested users to sign up for it to get updates on it. Additionally, it will be introduced in select premium markets in the US before being rolled out nationally.

Google had earlier this year signed on CBS to deliver its content live on YouTube TV and has added other major broadcast networks such as ABC, Fox, and NBC and cable channels such as ESPN, FX, USA, E!, Bravo, CNBC, Fox News, MSNBC to that roster. Subscribers can also watch premium cable TV channels such as Showtime and Fox Soccer Plus by anteing up some extra dollars. YouTube TV is also working with local TV stations and regional sports networks across the US to provide users with local TV news, weather, and sports.

With YouTube TV’s announcement, Google is seeking to offer younger video viewers an alternative to expensive cable TV and it is also running head to head in competition with services such as Dish’s Sling TV, Sony’s Playstation Vue, AT&T’s DirecTV Now, and Hulu which is slated to launch a live streaming app in the near future.

Media watchers are speculating whether YouTube TV will be launched in Asia soon. You Tube chief business officer Robert Kyncl is expected to be in Asia next month for a major video distribution conference.

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