YouTube TV app removed from Roku channel store
Recognition: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
- Roku removed YouTube TV from its channel store after negotiations with Google collapsed.
- However, YouTube TV will remain available to current subscribers on Roku devices.
- Roku is still keen to find a solution with Google.
Negotiations between Roku and Google over their YouTube TV distribution agreement appear to be over and this is not good news for Roku users. The two parties have not agreed on new terms that would allow Roku to offer YouTube TV on its platform. As a result, the YouTube TV app can no longer be downloaded from the Roku Channel Store.
According to a previous report, Google’s requests allegedly included a dedicated search channel in the Roku interface. Roku reportedly wanted to give preference to YouTube Music when using voice commands, among other things.
According to a statement sent via email, Roku wanted Google to commit to four key points. These were namely:
- Do not manipulate consumer search results.
- No need to access data that is not available to anyone else.
- Not using YouTube’s monopoly to force Roku to accept hardware requirements that would increase consumer costs.
- Take action against Roku in a non-discriminatory and anti-competitive manner.
Since the companies could not reach a consensus, the contract has expired. As a result, new users who purchase a Roku device will no longer have access to the service.
What about existing YouTube TV users on Roku?
However, Roku is trying to mitigate the blow to existing customers. It should be noted that the problem does not affect users who already own a Roku device and have an active YouTube TV subscription.
“To continue delivering a great streaming experience for our users, we’re taking the additional step of providing existing subscribers with continued access to YouTube TV on the Roku platform, unless Google takes action that requires the complete removal of the channel “said Roku in the statement.
Roku then notified YouTube TV users in an email on Friday, informing them of the changes.
However, there is still hope. Roku noted that it “has a duty to enter into a good faith agreement with Google”. But unless the two parties can resolve their impasse soon, YouTube TV likely won’t be part of Roku’s future for much longer.
