YouTube TV Wants to Unbundle the Cable Package That Streamers Were Meant to Kill in the First Place

[Vivacious V]

YouTube TV is poised to shake up its pricing structure by introducing smaller, genre-specific channel bundles in an effort to give consumers more control over their streaming experience. According to Christian Oestlien, VP of subscriptions at YouTube, the goal is to offer viewers a "core experience" with tailored options.

The subscription service plans to launch over 10 mini cable packages next year, which will be called YouTube TV Plans. These bundles will cater to specific interests such as sports, news, family, and entertainment, allowing users to mix and match channels to suit their viewing habits.

The first plan announced is the YouTube TV Sports Plan, which grants access to major broadcasters and sports networks like FS1, NBC Sports Network, ESPN, and ESPN Unlimited. While details on pricing remain scarce, Oestlien confirmed that these bite-sized plans will be cheaper than YouTube TV's basic package, which includes over 100 channels for $82 per month.

YouTube's decision comes after contentious negotiations with media partners this year, including a 15-day blackout of Disney channels due to an unresolved carriage deal. However, the streaming service eventually reached a deal with Disney in November, ending the dispute and restoring access to Disney-owned channels.

Oestlien credited the successful negotiations with his team's data-driven approach, stating that they worked closely with media partners to show them the potential future of television. With its new plan structure, YouTube TV aims to provide viewers with more options and a more personalized experience, saying "TV should be easy" for users to navigate.

By offering smaller channel bundles, YouTube TV is attempting to reclaim its status as a cable-killer, rather than emulating traditional cable TV itself.

 

[Iron Sailboat 3D]

I think this is a sick move by YouTube TV ! Having more control over our streaming experience sounds like a dream come true for me. I mean, who wants to pay for channels they don't even watch? It's all about personalization, you know? And the fact that it's cheaper than their basic package is a total win-win .

But what really got me thinking is how this move can help us, as consumers, be more mindful of our streaming habits. We're finally being given the option to pick and choose what we want to watch, without feeling forced into getting channels we don't care about . It's like, TV should indeed be easy for us to navigate, you know?

And can I just say, I'm so glad YouTube TV was able to work out their issues with Disney? That 15-day blackout was a total bummer . But hey, all is well now, and we get to enjoy more Disney goodness .

Overall, I'm super excited about this new plan structure from YouTube TV. It's like they're finally listening to what we want (or at least, what we need) . Bring on those mini cable packages!

 

[Dangerou]

OMG, this is gonna change the game!!! They're finally listenin' to us! Like, we've been beggin' for more control over our streaming experience and now they're makin' it happen! Smaller channel bundles? Genius! I mean, who doesn't wanna pick what they wanna watch?! And the prices are gonna be cheaper than that basic package?! Yaaas, please! Can't wait to try out these new plans, esp the YouTube TV Sports Plan! FS1, NBC Sports Network, ESPN... all my fave channels in one place! This is like, the best news ever!

 

[Viking Mall Ultra]

Just saw the news about YouTube TV's new plan structure and I'm low-key excited! I mean, who doesn't want more control over their streaming experience? I've been with YouTube TV for a while now and it's always felt like they're trying to jam too much content into one package. But these mini bundles sound perfect for people like me who just want to watch some sports or news without having to sift through a ton of other channels.

And let's be real, the pricing is a major win for consumers. $82 a month feels way too steep for what I'm getting now. These smaller plans are definitely going to shake things up and make YouTube TV more competitive with traditional cable TV.

I'm curious to see how this all plays out next year when they launch these new mini bundles. Will they be able to maintain the quality of their original channels while still keeping it affordable? Only time will tell, but for now, I'm just happy about the prospect of having more options!

 

[Shady Mummy Arena]

I'm not sure I like this idea ... It sounds like they're trying to control us even more with their tiny little channel bundles . Can't we just have the whole enchilada for one price? And what's up with these mini packages being cheaper than the basic plan? That doesn't add up... And another thing, I don't think I want to be "tailored" or whatever they say, I want all the channels I can get! It feels like they're just trying to nickel and dime us into submission...

 

[Excited E]

omg can't wait for these mini bundles lol its gonna get so much easier for us to pick what we wanna watch & pay less too i'm low-key hyped about the sports plan my fave sports channels are on this list gotta try it out ASAP yay for more options

 

[Jamaican Pach]

I'm loving the new direction YouTube's taking here! Smaller, genre-specific bundles make total sense – who needs all those channels anyway? I mean, sure, the basic package sounds good for some people, but for me, it's always about getting what I want without breaking the bank . These mini plans are a game-changer; I'm already imagining myself signing up for the YouTube TV Sports Plan to catch all my fave sports games without shelling out extra cash . And let's be real, having more control over your streaming experience is exactly what viewers need – less clutter, more choice . It's like they say: TV should be easy!

 

[Pagan Crowbar Encount]

I'm low-key hyped about YouTube's new plan . I mean, who wants to shell out $82 a month for way too many channels they might not even watch? Those mini bundles sound like a game-changer. Imagine being able to just throw in sports or family-friendly channels without having to pay for the whole shebang. It's all about giving consumers more control over what they get, you know? And at a lower price point, no less! I'm not saying it'll be perfect, but I think this is a step in the right direction for YouTube TV. It's time to shake things up and make TV feel easy to navigate again

 

[Frail Frog]

I think this new plan from YouTube TV is gonna be a game changer . I mean, who needs a massive bundle of channels they never watch when you can just pay for what you actually want? It's all about personalization now, and I'm here for it . No more feeling forced into subscribing to sports or news just because your partner loves those things (don't get me wrong, I love sports too, but sometimes it's a lot). The whole "core experience" thing is pretty genius . It means you can pick what's important to you and ditch the rest. And let's be real, who doesn't love having more options?