[Updated] Google Bypasses Roku’s YouTube TV Ban by Moving It to the Main YouTube App
If you downloaded YouTube TELEVISION on your Roku before April 30th, then you can still use the YouTube TV app generally. If youre a new YouTube TV customer with a Roku, then you have to use Googles brand-new workaround. Open the standard YouTube app and press the “Go to YouTube TV” button in the sidebar. Roku tried utilizing YouTube TELEVISION access as a bargaining chip, but Google found a workaround.
Google states that settlements with Roku are continuous, however to be sincere, it looks like the company is preparing for the worst. According to its article, Google is “in conversations with other partners to protect totally free streaming gadgets in case YouTube TV members face any access issues on Roku,” a remarkable and costly move.
Update, 5/7/21 3:44 pm: Roku issues a scathing declaration to The Verge:
Googles actions are the clear conduct of an unattended monopolist set on squashing fair competitors and damaging consumer option. The bundling statement by YouTube highlights the kind of predatory organization practices utilized by Google that Congress, Attorney Generals and regulative bodies around the globe are investigating. Roku has actually not requested one extra dollar in monetary value from YouTubeTV. We have actually simply asked Google to stop their anticompetitive behavior of manipulating user search results page to their special monetary advantage and to stop demanding access to delicate data that no other partner on our platform gets today. In action, Google has actually continued its practice of blatantly leveraging its YouTube monopoly to require an independent company into an agreement that is both bad for consumers and bad for reasonable competitors.
This is getting uglier by the minute.
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Simply a week after Roku eliminated YouTube TV from its app store, Google is now using the basic YouTube app to host YouTube TELEVISIONs services. Google discussed the Trojan Horse maneuver in a post, and hinted that it may offer free streaming sticks to clients if settlements with Roku break down.
You can still utilize the YouTube TV app typically if you downloaded YouTube TELEVISION on your Roku prior to April 30th. If youre a new YouTube TELEVISION customer with a Roku, then you have to use Googles brand-new workaround. Open the standard YouTube app and press the “Go to YouTube TV” button in the sidebar. You need to be rerouted to the complete YouTube TV interface.
The dispute in between Google and Roku is confusing, however it seems to revolve around Googles persistence on AV1 codec assistance for streaming devices. Google desires future Roku devices to support the quick and efficient AV1 codec for YouTube, a requirement that might increase the cost of Roku items.
Roku attempted using YouTube TELEVISION gain access to as a bargaining chip, however Google discovered a workaround. Or, you know, Roku will simply state “screw it” and prohibit YouTube from its platform entirely.
Source: Google via 9to5Google