Google’s virtual MVPD YouTube TV just got a little more appealing, adding the ability for users to fast-forward through commercials when watching DVR content from a number of popular networks.
Previously, the service’s DVR feature would make users watch VOD versions with unskippable commercial – something users complained about and was absent on rival live streaming TV services like Hulu with Live TV or DirecTV Now. In a tweet announcing the feature, which gives users full control to pause, rewind and fast forward anytime during playback, YouTube TV indicated the move was in response to customer requests.
YouTube said it made deals with AMC, Disney, Fox, NBCUniversal and Turner to support DVR playback.
With about 800,000 subscribers, YouTube TV still trails behind Hulu’s live streaming service, which surpassed the 1 million subscriber mark, Dish’s Sling TV (2.3 million) and AT&T’s DirecTV Now (1.8 million), but interest in the service is gaining traction. A survey from UBS this year of 2,000 consumers found YouTube TV ranked in second for interest, with 41 percent indicating they would consider signing up for the service. That compares to more than half showing interest in Hulu’s live offering, 32 percent for DirecTV Now and 30 percent for Sling TV.
Here’s a full list of the channels that now support playback, according to TechCrunch: AMC, BBC America, SundanceTV, IFC, WE tv, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, SEC Network, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, Freeform, FOX, FX, FXX, FXM, Fox News, Fox Business Network, National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Big Ten Network, Fox RSNs, NBC, NBCSN, CNBC, Golf Channel, Olympics Channel, MSNBC, Syfy, USA Network, Bravo, E!, Oxygen, Universal Kids, Comcast RSNs, Universo, Telemundo, CNN, HLN, TNT, TBS, Turner Classic Movies, Cartoon Network/Adult Swim, and TruTV.
