Verizon has expanded its relationship with Google and will now market and resell virtual pay TV service YouTube TV across its wireless and Fios wireline customer bases.
Verizon had already been packaging YouTube TV in its early fixed 5G wireless offering, which it launched—on paper, for the most part—back in October.
Verizon didn’t announce pricing or a launch date. A rep told Variety, however, that it would begin peddling YouTube TV later this year.
“As we pave the path forward on 5G, we’ll continue to bring our customers options and access to premium content by teaming up with the best providers in the industry and leveraging our network as-a service strategy,” said Erin McPherson, head of content strategy and acquisition, Verizon, in a statement. “We were first in the world to bring commercial 5G to our customers and now another first on the content front as we offer our customers access to YouTube TV on whatever platform they choose.”
Added Heather Rivera, global head of product partnerships at YouTube: ”YouTube TV has become known for its best-in-class user experience that enhances the way users watch live TV today," "With this partnership, we're making it simple and seamless for Verizon's customers to sign up to enjoy YouTube TV on-the-go on their mobile phones or tablets or at home on their big screen devices.”
Verizon had previously sought to develop its own live-streamed programming services, through the $200 million acquisition of Intel’s OnCue unit, as well as the subsequent launch of mobile video programming service Go90.
In 2016, the biggest U.S. wireless company said it would rely on a third-party vendor to supply video programming to its customers.
As for YouTube TV, Google recently raised the entry-level price to $50 a month. Google has not disclosed a subscriber number for the service.
