YouTube is entering a new phase of the streaming wars. On Tuesday, the Google-owned video company announced Primetime Channels, a storefront featuring 34 streaming services available for subscription on the platform.
Currently only available to U.S. users, these streamers include Paramount+ and Showtime — both from Paramount Global — along with Lionsgate’s Starz, MGM’s Epix, AMC Networks’s AMC+ and TelevisaUnivision’s ViX+. Primetime Channels will also include two dozen smaller channels, each of which will be available on a subscription basis through YouTube’s Movies and TV hub.
“We are excited to expand our partnership with YouTube to offer customers of Paramount+ another way to stream the content they love,” said Jeff Shultz, Paramount Streaming’s chief strategy officer and business development officer, in a statement. “This new feature gives us the opportunity to expand our presence on YouTube, broadening our reach and giving consumers even more choice when it comes to streaming the best in entertainment.”
YouTube has previously offered a handful of premium channels through their YouTube TV pay-TV service, but these Primetime Channels will be available to anyone using the YouTube platform.
YouTube says that they will add more services to buy through YouTube, including NBA League Pass, while expanding the service internationally. The service will include shows and movies with trailers, behind-the-scenes footage and filmmaker interviews. Meanwhile, titles from the streaming services will appear in YouTube search results, while YouTube recommendations will include content from the Primetime Channels.
“We are excited to expand our partnership with YouTube to offer customers of Paramount+ another way to stream the content they love,” said Jeff Shultz, chief strategy officer and business development officer for Paramount Streaming. “This new feature gives us the opportunity to expand our presence on YouTube, broadening our reach and giving consumers even more choice when it comes to streaming the best in entertainment.”
The titles available at the launch of YouTube’s Primetime Channels will be Showtime, Paramount+, Starz, AMC+, Epix, Shudder, Acorn TV, Here TV, CuriosityStream, Comedy Dynamics, Hallmark Movies Now, Allblk, Sundance Now, ConTV, Docurama, MovieSphere, Dove Channel, IFC, ScreenPix, Fandor, Law & Crime, Screambox, Dekkoo, Tastemade+, Outside TV, Gaia, RCN Total, ATRESplayer, VSiN, Topic, Magnolia Selects, The Great Courses, UP Faith and Family, and ViX+.
The new offering notably doesn’t include Disney+, Netflix, Hulu and HBO Max, nor are these services available on Amazon Prime Channels which performs a similar function for Prime members.
