YouTube TV is falling behind where this streamer shines ‣ Diverse Daily

Summary

DirecTV has emerged as a leading competitor to YouTube TV with its new MyFree DirecTV fast service and paid Genre Packs.
Paramount and DirecTV have just signed a deal to add Paramount and CBS channels to DirecTV’s various Genre Packs.
YouTube TV should take notes from DirecTV and consider offering themed content packs which are more affordable than its basic plan.

YouTube TV has recently faced its fair share of criticism. Many cord-cutters started using YouTube TV because it was cheaper than cable, but over the years, the service’s price has continued to rise, increasing from $35 a month in 2017 to $83 a month today. Once an affordable alternative to cable, those days are gone.

However, there is one streaming service that has emerged as a strong competitor to YouTube TV and has surprised me lately: DirecTV. Last year, DirecTV launched MyFree DirecTV, a free, ad-supported streaming service. Then, in February this year, it introduced its own standalone skinny TV streaming bundles, called Genre Packs.

DirecTV’s Genre Packs allow users to pay only for the live TV channels they actually want to stream and are themed based on various interests. At launch, DirecTV offered four distinct Genre Packs: MyEntertainment, MyNews, MySports, and MiEspañol. Now, DirecTV is expanding its offerings by adding a new Genre pack and new channels to its existing packs at no extra cost. YouTube TV should start paying attention now.

Live TV: 90+ channels
Price: 86.99
Free trial: Yes

DirecTV now offers standalone Genre Packs in additon to its DirecTV stream service.

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DirecTV is partnering with Paramount

It is also launching a new family-friendly Genre Pack called MyKids

DirecTV / Sharp / Pocket-lint

In an effort to increase the value of its Genre Packs, DirecTV has announced that it has signed an agreement with Paramount Global to add a “curated selection” of Paramount’s most popular linear TV channels across its various Genre Packs. This means subscribers of DirecTV’s Genre Packs, such as MySports and MyEntertainment, will receive additional channels at no extra cost.

The MyEntertainment bundle now includes several Paramount Global channels, including BET, CMT, Comedy Central, MTV, MTV2, TV Land, and VH1. The MySports bundle is also receiving a major free upgrade, now offering the CBS Sports Network and 15 local CBS stations, which serve some of America’s largest cities.

“Paramount is one of the world’s most influential programmers, and its broad portfolio – including the CBS Network local stations – provides essential channels to many of our different Genre Packs,” said Rob Thun, DirecTV’s Chief Content Officer, in a press statement. “Together, these combined services create a strong foundation for a more dynamic TV future, which offers DirecTV subscribers greater choice and control through our industry-leading genre-based options.”

Additionally, DirecTV is launching a new Genre Pack called MyKids, offering a wide range of family-friendly TV channels. The MyKids Genre Pack costs $20 a month and includes popular kids channels such as the Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and Discovery Family. It also includes a Disney+ subscription with ads.

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YouTube TV should takes notes from DirecTV

YouTube TV should offer its own version of Genre Packs

The great thing about YouTube TV when it first launched was that it offered a variety of channels through its basic plan at an affordable price. But as I mentioned earlier, the idea of affordability has been abandoned. At $83 a month, a year of YouTube TV now costs nearly $1000 annually.

As the service’s cost has skyrocketed, taking a page from DirecTV’s playbook would be a smart move by Google. DirecTV’s Genre Packs give viewers exactly what they want at a lower overall monthly cost, plus they’re getting free additional content added to them, as highlighted by the Paramount deal.

YouTube TV should consider allowing users to pay for themed content packs, similar to what DirecTV offers, to let people choose what they want to watch and save money.

My favorite Genre Pack offered by DirecTV is called the MyEntertainment Genre Pack, and for $35 a month, you get over 50 of the most popular channels — including A&E, HGTV, FX, Bravo, History, and more — plus Disney+ and Hulu with ads, and Max with ads. So, not only do you get all those channels, but you also get two of the most popular streaming services in the US. The Disney+ and Hulu with ads bundle alone costs $11 a month, and Max with ads costs $10 a month. For just $14 more, you’re getting 50 of the biggest channels on linear TV along with those streaming services. Additionally, if you’re only interested in sports content, its MySports Genre Pack costs $70 a month and offers the majority of the sports channels people are after, plus ESPN+ as a bonus. If you’re only interested in news, you can subscribe to the MyNews Genre Pack for $40 a month.

While I understand that one of the initial advantages of YouTube was that it didn’t offer cluttered bundles — just a straightforward basic plan — as prices have increased, the need for more affordable options has grown. YouTube TV should consider allowing users to pay for themed content packs, similar to what DirecTV offers, to let people choose what they want to watch and save money. I know this makes it feel more like cable, but at the end of the day, YouTube TV already mimics cable, given its high cost. If you’re looking for an alternative to YouTube TV, I recommend checking out DirecTV and exploring some of the Genre Packs it has to offer.