Google responds to Roku by integrating YouTube TV into the YouTube app
While it seemed that Roku had the last laugh in the ongoing battle with Google, that’s simply not the case. In a stunning move, Google announced today that Roku users can continue to access the YouTube TV service simply by using the standard YouTube app.
Earlier this week, Roku pulled the YouTube TV app from its app store, as negotiations between Roku and Google broke down. In a statement, Roku claimed that Google was trying to use its “monopoly power to try and force terms that will directly harm streamers”. Google responded stating that it had been working with Roku in “good faith to reach an agreement”, while calling out Roku claiming that “Roku often engages in these types of tactics”.
Today, the battle was turned up to 11 when a blog post appeared from YouTube, announcing that you can now access YouTube TV from the YouTube app on Roku. The company also stated that it’s “in discussions with other partners to secure free streaming devices in case YouTube TV members face any access issues with Roku.”
It’s unknown whether this is the last that we’ll hear in regards to the battle taking place between Roku and YouTube. But the truth is that we would love to see this type of YouTube TV integration into the YouTube app on all compatible devices. It’s convenient to have a separate app to download, but for the sake of saving space and overall convenience, rolling everything into a single app would make a world of difference.