Google and YouTube have today announced that YouTube TV app support is now coming to more devices including Android TV boxes, TVs-powered by Android TV, and smart TVs. While most of these units were already able to make use of YouTube TV via a smartphone and using either a Chromecast or a TV’s built-in Cast technology, this is the main change with today’s announcement as Google has now confirmed that these additional devices are gaining support at the app level.
Which essentially means that going forward there will be little to no need to actually make use of a smartphone when consuming YouTube TV content. Instead, users will be able to download the compatible app for their device, on their device, and interact with the live TV streaming service in a more natural manner. Android TV devices will be the first to see their support going live with the announcement explaining that the app will be available to download “in the next few days.” As for compatibility, it does seem as though the app will work with most, if not all, Android TV devices. While Google has not specifically listed all compatible models the announcement does detail “Android TV devices including NVIDIA SHIELD” at the box level and “TVs with Android TV built-in, such as Sony” at the TV level. Beyond Android TV, the announcement also explains that a YouTube TV app will become available for the “Xbox One family of devices” around the same time it does for Android TV devices. On the topic of smart TVs, owners will have to wait a little longer with the announcement stating that TVs from makers including LG, Samsung and Sony will see their app support launching “in the coming weeks” – at the same time as when the app will also become available on Apple TV.
For those new to YouTube TV in general, this is Google’s solution to streaming live TV over the internet. The service currently costs $35 for the baseline package which includes access to a number of live TV channels as well as a selection of on-demand content from those channels. At present, YouTube TV has yet to make it to all corners of the US, although support has been expanding over time and will continue to do so. As part of today’s announcement, Google and YouTube confirmed “YouTube TV is now available in all top 50 metro areas” which the company states equates to coverage for “over two-thirds of the U.S.”