YouTube TV, the “skinny bundle” pay-TV service that launched in the spring via web browsers, Google Chromecast and a mobile app, officially is entering the living room. A new app optimized for smart TVs and connected devices launches this week with availability only on Android TV sets, but by the end of the year YouTube plans to roll it out to major distribution partners including Samsung, Apple TV, Roku and Xbox.
In 2017, 38.9 million Americans will use a Roku at least once per month, up 19% over last year, making it the No. 1 connected-TV device brand in the U.S., according to a new study from research firm eMarketer. That puts Roku ahead of Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV in terms of total users, eMarketer says.
Connected TV usage will continue to climb in the coming years — growing 17% this year and 11% in 2017. Gaming connected consoles will still command the most users — 54.3 million, according to eMarketer, a 5.1% improvement from a year ago. Google Chromecast, as a connected TV device, will see the greatest growth — up 32.4% to 30.2 million.
How To Get Streaming Video To A Big Screen
There are plenty of ways to get streaming video onto your big living-room screen. Internet-connected “smart” TVs and gaming consoles such as the Xbox or PlayStation can do the trick. But stand-alone devices tend to offer more features and more video services to choose from. Here’s a rundown of six of them.
Exclusives
The Seattle e-commerce giant wants to “avoid customer confusion” by directing buyers to other options, including its own Fire TV.
With Apple and Amazon already announcing new, upgraded streaming devices, a new report says Google may be ready to debut its revamped Chromecast later this month. The $35 contraption connects televisions to computers and mobile devices.
NEW YORK (AP) — Google’s much-talked-about $35 Chromecast streaming device is remarkable for its low cost. Its main problem, however: It works with a limited number of video services. Recently, […]
The two-inch long Chromecast plugs into a TV set HDMI port, enabling users to watch videos from YouTube, Google Play, and Netflix and handle music and photos. (A Pandora app is on the way.) If it works as promoted, it would offer people an easy way to watch Web videos on TV without having to connect a box such as a game console, Blu-ray player, or Roku.
