June 7, 2023, 3:40 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
YouTube’s new subscription model strongly resembles Amazon Prime Channels. Is YouTube Primetime Channels really worth it? TECHBOOK checks it out.
After the U.S., Germany is the first country where YouTube is launching its new Primetime Channels. Unlike the YouTube Premium subscription, Primetime Channels include content from third-party providers such as ARD or Sport1+. This copies Amazon Prime’s concept, but YouTube is starting with a much smaller selection.
The new feature is somewhat hidden under “Movies & TV.” Users can test each Primetime Channel for seven days. Subscription can then be easily managed through the Google account and the stored payment method. A YouTube Premium subscription is not required to subscribe to a Primetime Channel. Conversely, a Premium subscription does not offer discounts in the Primetime Channel area.
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What Content Do YouTube Primetime Channels Offer?
YouTube is launching with a diverse range of content, including movies and series, live content, behind-the-scenes material, documentaries, and a focus on sports. Currently, YouTube offers the following channels:
- ARD Plus (for 4.95 euros per month)
- Crime + Investigation (for 3.99 euros per month)
- FERNSEHEN MIT HERZ, consisting of Romance TV, Heimatkanal, and GoldStar TV (for 4.99 euros per month)
- Motorvision TV (for 6.99 euros per month)
- Sport1+ (for 4.99 euros per month)
- Sportdigital FUSSBALL (for 4.99 euros per month)
- HISTORY Play (for 3.99 euros per month)
- WORLD OF FREESPORTS (for 2.99 euros per month)
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A partnership with Paramount+, likely the strongest draw in the lineup, is expected to launch during 2023. Other channels like eSPORTS1, Bergblick TV, Waidwerk, and Jukebox are also set to follow, expanding the currently limited channel selection. The content is not necessarily exclusive. ARD Plus, for example, overlaps with the ARD Plus channel offered by Amazon at a comparable price. Collaborations with major streaming providers and series producers like Netflix or Disney+ do not seem to be in discussion and are generally unlikely on a large scale, as these providers typically offer their originals exclusively. Therefore, it is still uncertain how large and attractive the channel offering will become.
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These Are the Weaknesses of Primetime Channels
While YouTube advertises that the various channels can be subscribed to individually, allowing customers to pay only for the content they watch, those interested in both true crime and historical documentaries, and perhaps a heartwarming romance or a soccer game, will need multiple subscriptions. This can quickly become confusing and expensive.
Sources
- YouTube Official Blog: “YouTube Primetime Channels brings together the premium offerings of numerous TV, film, and streaming partners on one platform” (accessed on 06/07/2023)