Roku's YouTube TV ban may have a fix - here's how to use it

Roku's YouTube TV ban may have a fix - here's how to use it
If you have a Roku TV or Roku streaming stick, you may have noticed that the YouTube TV app is no longer available on the Roku platform for new users, although Google seems to be rolling out a fix. In an official YouTube blog post on May 7, Google announced that the regular YouTube app will now contain a shortcut to the YouTube TV service, making it always accessible on the Roku operating system: "Today we launched a new feature that lets you access YouTube TV from within the YouTube app, allowing you to enjoy all the content you love. Existing members can easily access YouTube TV by clicking "Go to YouTube TV" in the main app from YouTube. This update will be available to all YouTube TV on Roku members over the next few days, and we'll roll it out to as many devices as possible over time." The paid YouTube TV service is separate from YouTube's free streaming platform, essentially offering an alternative to online-only cable TV with over 70 channels. It's found on a lot of 4K TVs these days, which means non-Roku TV owners won't be affected, and it's worth noting that existing YouTube TV subscribers won't have a problem continuing to use the feature. tv app. Newcomers to YouTube TV, however, will have to use this loophole through Google TV. The blog post also states that Google is "still working to reach an agreement with Roku to ensure continued access to YouTube TV for our mutual customers" and that the "certification process" that Roku has challenged "exists to ensure consistent access consistent and high-quality experience on YouTube across different devices, including Google's, so you know how to navigate the app and what to expect We will continue our discussions with Roku about certification, in good faith, with the goal of defending Roku our mutual customers."

Outdoor

The feud between the two companies went public in late April, with Roku announcing the possible removal of the YouTube TV app from its operating system in the United States, after disputing Google's demands to continue hosting the app (Google acquired YouTube in 2006). ). Roku argues that "Google is trying to use its monopoly position on YouTube to force Roku to agree to predatory, anti-competitive and discriminatory terms that will directly harm Roku and our users" (via Axios). These terms would include a favorable weighting of YouTube-hosted music in voice search results, a more prominent placement of YouTube search results, and even removal from competing search results when the YouTube app is open. on a Roku device. The Roku platform can be found on a myriad of streaming devices these days, from the Roku Express and Roku Streaming Stick+ to Hisense Roku TVs and TCL 6-series Smart TVs, meaning any disagreement affects a large number. of devices and their users. Google's latest announcement seems to mitigate that impact, but it's clear that its fight with Roku isn't over yet. Today's best Roku streaming key deals