YouTube TV Ad Skipping Restrictions

YouTube TV service provides no other options than viewing ads.

16:16 13 April 2017

YouTube TV, which was launched in five US cities last week, forces TV ad viewing. The $35 per month service, which is now available in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco Bay Area and Philadelphia, does not allow customers to skip commercials even if they record the episode on DVR notes.

 

Google has confirmed that the restriction is due to broadcast industry’s licensing agreements that it is forced to adhere in order to offer the service.

 

The restriction has not been an issue on other services like Dish’s Sling TV leading for many to assume that it’s a punishment for Google for its apparent failure to do more about piracy.  

 

If ad skipping restrictions start to find their way in licensing deals tied to other emerging streaming video services, it is certain that it will annoy many cord cutters.