YouTube is the oldest video streaming service. Therefore, it will make every effort to survive and maintain its leading positions in many segments. You might think it’s already lost on streaming services like Netflix. But The Wall Street Journal reports that it is in talks with various media companies to bring TV shows, movies and all channels to its platform. It will of course be an ad-supported platform. More interestingly, he’s already testing the idea. If all goes well, we can see it live this year.

The new YouTube service is already being tested

Incidentally, this niche is known as Free Ad-Supported Television Broadcasting (FAST). So if YouTube decides it’s worth entering this segment, it will be the next entrant to a saturated industry. For example, there are giants like Roku, Fox’s Tubi and Pluto TV. The latter is owned by Paramount Global.

As mentioned, YouTube is currently testing the new service on a small number of users. “We are always looking for new ways to give viewers a central destination to more easily find, watch and share the content that matters most to them,” the spokesperson said. YouTube launched the test in partnership with Lionsgate, A+E Networks and FilmRise.

For those who don’t know, YouTube already offers ad-supported movies. Therefore, streaming TV channels is the next logical step for the streaming giant.

In fact, YouTube has a huge user base. It also has the largest share of TV watch time among streaming services in the US. As soon as the service is up and running, YouTube will have every chance to beat its competitors. If the test is successful, YouTube can claim a 45% cut from ad revenue. That’s what the company does for content creators.