Google is preparing to create a large cable service on YouTube (for streaming cable TV) that will be called «Unplugged», according to a Bloomberg publication.
YouTube is reportedly revising its internal structure for Unplugged, and plans to launch the new service possibly before 2017.
Google is reportedly also in talks with the major cable companies such as Comcast, NBCUniversal, Viacom, and 21st Century Fox and CBS for content acquisition, although it is not believed that any agreements will be reached.
The subscription service will bring linear TV content to YouΤube, and offer “custom” packages. According to the publication, Google is still seeking ways to distribute the content.
It could offer packages that would start at $35. Alternatively, Google is also considering an option to offer packages of less popular series at a lower price.
It goes without saying that such a service would be a huge win for YouTube, although it seems that television networks continue to exert control.
When Apple tried to do something similar for Apple TV it faced the same difficulties, and it seems (no news here for a long time) that it gave up on the attempts. Sling TV is the only provider that has succeeded with this model, but it had support from DISH.
