Cordcutters in the city have a new option for local TV. Baltimore is among more than a dozen markets where YouTube TV expanded this week.
The streaming service from the Google-owned video platform marks one of the latest forays into pay TV for people who are looking to go outside of traditional cable offerings. In a market that already includes several players, YouTube is looking to stand out with a focus on local offerings, CNet reports. It’s only available in specific local markets, and in turn is looking to offer local broadcasters.
It makes the offerings on streaming TV more like what’s offered on cable. CNet explains the significance:
There’s a big difference between local and national channels. Nationwide channels like AMC, TNT and The Disney Channel offer one or two national feeds (a second one is sometimes time-shifted for west coast viewing), but local stations typically air news and other programming endemic to the area, in addition to programs from the big four networks.
One illustration comes in a related deal announced this week. Hunt Valley-based Sinclair Communications agreed with YouTube TV to allow the network affiliates it owns to be broadcast, which include Fox45 in Baltimore. The Tennis Channel is also coming as a result. No word yet on MASN, O’s fans.
YouTube TV offers about 50 stations in total. ESPN, MSNBC, USA and Bravo are a few. The service is $35/month, and includes unlimited DVR storage.
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