Roku may end agreement with YouTube TV

Cyclonepride

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"Roku is warning its customers with YouTube TV subscriptions that the service could go dark in the coming days due to what it calls Google’s “predatory” and “monopoly” behavior.

In a lengthy statement, a Roku spokesperson blasted Google’s actions in detail. The tech giant is “attempting to use its YouTube monopoly position to force Roku into accepting predatory, anti-competitive and discriminatory terms that will directly harm Roku and our users.” The company has also sent an email to customers this morning expressing the concerns."
 
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VTXCyRyD

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I prefer androidtv streaming boxes over the Rokus I've had anyway. The one I use the most is an Nvidia Shield so maybe it's not a fair comparison.
 
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Clonehomer

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Was planning on cancelling YTTV for the summer months anyways. Hope this gets sorted out by the fall. But if I had to choose, I'd choose new boxes over leaving YTTV. Maybe Google will offer a free chromecast to accommodate Roku users if this goes on for long.
 
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cyclonedave25

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I just cancelled YTTV a month ago. Their rates were getting too high, plus I don’t need all the sports channels in the summer. I’ll pick it back up for CFB unless I find a cheaper option. I went to Sling Blue for the time being, only $30 and gives me enough channels to keep me entertained.
 
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Mr Janny

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I like my Roku, but I like Youtube TV more, so I'd just buy something else if this happens.
Pretty much. We have one Roku TV currently, but firesticks everywhere else. If this goes away, we'll just get another firestick. There are plenty of streaming players out there.
 
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salennon07

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Pretty much. We have one Roku TV currently, but firesticks everywhere else. If this goes away, we'll just get another firestick. There are plenty of streaming players out there.

Still pretty annoying as I've got 5 Roku sticks around the house : / I really hope google would offer some sort of swap out program to switch to chromecast if this goes through. The roku has always been super nice for my toddler as she can use the mic button to navigate as she's too young to know how to do much else.
 

jdcyclone19

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I bet they get a deal completed. Youtube TV doesn't want to lose being on the Roku and Roku doesn't want to lose the YTTV revenue. Will be curious to see how it plays out.
I use rokus on our two TVs but have 2 4K fire sticks in the box worst case scenario.

I use to prefer the roku user interface but the newest update to the firestick interface is really nice.
 

isucy86

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I also cancelled my streaming service after the NCAA Tournament. I would have kept if they offered Marquee Network, but they didn't. I see that FuboTV added Marquee Network, so maybe I will buy that later in summer.

I was excited about the prospect of streaming TV services 3-4 years ago because I viewed them as competition for cable and dish services. They were great in the beginning because they were reasonably priced at $30-$40/month. However, in a few years they have adopted the cable & dish models: consistently increasing prices (they are now $60-$70) and provide around 80 channels of which 70 I never watch.

With the advent of Netflix, Disney, Prime, YouTube, Vimeo and other streaming video providers I feel services like YouTubeTV, Hulu, Sling and Fubo will be gone within 5-10 years. Other than sporting events the idea of watching a TV program at a specific time is becoming antiquated. The On-Demand model is the future. I would much rather buy a platform like Netflix or Prime where I can then purchase add-on focused content providers like ESPN, National Geographic, HBO or Marquee Network. IMO that brings accountability to ESPN or HBO to cost effectively create their content.
 
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loyalsons4evertrue

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I don't have a smart tv, but just bought a roku since my family shares a yttv account. Hopefully they work some deal out.
 

loyalsons4evertrue

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I feel like the bosses at Directv a few months ago were like, 'whelp, close her up boys, we are done'. But now with rate increases from streaming services and crap like this, they are like, 'holy crap, these idiots are pricing us back into business'.
I mean isn't Directv still like 200 some dollars or some ridiculous number like that?
 
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brianhos

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Picked up a tivo streaming device, so far pretty good. If YTTV is not on roku, I will just swap over to all tivo devices, they are only $30.
 

JP4CY

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I get that there's some basic free channels on roku but I am also suprised they don't have a YTTV/Sling equivalent. They could he made a low offer at Vue and reorganized it.
 

cyfan92

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We've got 3 Roku's around the house that are primarly used for YTTV... I'll have to watch this situation closely

Just cancelled Disney + after falcon and winter solider series ended. Will pick it back up again in the fall