YouTube has announced that it will be offering several over-the-top (OTT) services on its platform dubbed as “Primetime Channels”, according to a blog post by the company. It added that the feature will allow users to watch TV shows and movies from over 30 platforms like Paramount and AMC. It is interesting to note that major streaming platforms will not be available on YouTube which suggests that this feature will help smaller platforms compete with the likes of Netflix, Amazon, and Disney, as they can leverage YouTube’s huge user base. This was also confirmed in a statement put out by Paramount Streaming’s Chief Strategy Officer and Business Development Officer Jeff Shultz who acknowledged that the move will help the platform broaden its reach. Why it matters: The announcement is an indicator of the kind of consolidation that is likely to take place in the OTT segment. The post explains how users can end up feeling overwhelmed given the number of apps on the market, which suggests that bundling of apps is the next step in OTT’s evolution. It also offers a blueprint to apps which struggle to compete with large platforms. What do we know: The service has been launched but it is only available in the United States and users can subscribe to the platform of their choice at the Movies & TV hub. However, this option will be different from the catalogue of movies and TV shows that are available on rent. The company added that it is…
