In the six months since launching the $35 YouTube TV paid video service earlier this year in five U.S. cities, Google LLC has expanded it to 50 markets, approximately 68 percent of U.S. households. Today, Google is extending the service with the launch of its YouTube TV app created specifically for the big screen.

Previously, subscribers could watch YouTube TV on a traditional TV using Chromecast. With the launch of the new app in the next few days, subscribers will be able to stream TV through the YouTube TV app on Android TV devices, including Nvidia Shield, as well as on TVs with Android TV built-in, including Sony Corp. TVs. Subscribers will also be able to use an Xbox One device, including the Xbox One, Xbox One S and Xbox One X.

YouTube TV app support will also be available in the next few weeks for other smart TVs, including those from Sony, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and LG Corp., in addition to Apple TV.

Google didn’t officially announce launch plans for the Roku streaming player, but apparently YouTube and Roku are in talks, according to TechCrunch, with plans to have the app available on all devices by the end of the year.  

No details were revealed for Amazon.com Inc.’s Fire TV either, which isn’t surprising considering Google’s decision last month to end YouTube support for the Alexa-enabled Echo Show. It’s not clear if Google will end its spat with Amazon and rolls out its YouTube TV app to the Fire TV by the end of the year.

The launch of the YouTube TV app comes two weeks after Google announced support for YouTube TV on Google Home. Subscribers with a Google Home smart speaker and a Chromecast, can use voice commands to either stream or record a specific program.

YouTube TV app

If you haven’t tried out YouTube TV and are in one of the supported markets, Google offers a  30-day free trial, after which you will pay a monthly subscription of $35, with access to channels like ABC, ESPN, Nat Geo, BBC World News, Disney Channel and others.

The new app is very similar to the mobile version and features the three main tabs: Home, Live and Library, but also includes some new features.

For one, it introduces a new Live guide that will allow subscribers to see what shows will be airing live soon. Resembling a traditional cable TV guide, the Live guide is a similar format to guides rolled out on Hulu and Sling TV and features rows of channels and programming by time slot.

The app also includes a dark background instead of white for a more cinematic look. In addition, viewers can control their live TV experience with their TV’s remote control or game controller. The app also allows viewers to pull up the player controls during a show and go through the Home, Live and Library tabs while the video continues to play in the background.

Many of the lists are ordered using an algorithm based on what it thinks you want to watch, but they can also be sorted alphabetically. The Sports section offers additional information, such as scores and standings for teams you’ve selected. In the Library tab, there are multiple categories, allowing users to easily browse the items they’ve added to the unlimited DVR.

Like other streaming services, you can pick up where you left off when you switch between devices.   

Image: YouTube