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YouTube is easily the most well-known video platform on the web. Launched in 2005, and then acquired by Google in 2006 for over $1.6 billion, the video service began its life mostly as a web-based PC service, allowing anyone to upload their creations for everyone to see and watch. When smartphones started becoming popular by the end of the 2000s, followed by the rise of smart TVs and mobile apps followed, and its popularity exploded. Google now says that over 2 billion users worldwide check out YouTube videos every month and that over 70 percent of its video views come from mobile devices.
Read more: All of Google’s YouTube apps
Of course, there’s a lot more to YouTube than just its core service. Google has branded many products with the brand name including YouTube Music, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV. While they may share the same brand, they all have very different features. Here’s a look at all of the YouTube services that Google currently offers.
The OG YouTube service is still massively popular and easily the most important of the services under the brand. Anyone can upload their videos on the service and there are no fees for those who want to watch them either. Google does have certain rules over what kind of videos can be uploaded. That includes ones that are subject to copyright infringements. This has caused quite a bit of controversy for the service over the year. Some companies have attempted to remove videos that include content that’s not been approved by the copyright owner for posting.
Content makers can create channels to upload their original videos, and users can subscribe to those channels and be informed when new content goes live. Those users can also post comments under each uploaded video (if the creator allows them to do so). Creators can also launch live streams of their content as well. Indeed, live streaming has become an effective way for companies to launch new products or promote their latest ventures to the rest of the world.
Content creators can make money by using Google’s AdSense program, which normally puts in video ads in front of, or sometimes inside, their clips. They can also make money via banner ads placed on the bottom of their clips. Some creators can even set up subscriptions for their users, which allows them to upload special videos made just for their paying subscribers, along with other perks.
Google lets people pay or rent movies and TV shows from big and small Hollywood studios directly from YouTube. Any movie purchased on the service can also be viewed in the Google Movies and TV app on the same Google account, and vice versa. The service also has a selection of Hollywood movies that can be viewed in full for free, if you don’t mind commercials. If you decide to sign up and pay for YouTube Premium, you can get rid of those commercials for the free movies.
Read more: Best free movies on YouTube
Google also has a separate YouTube Kids app. This is basically a curated way for kids to surf videos that are made for the younger audience, with some extra parental controls. It’s not really a separate service; it’s more of a restricted version of the same service.
YouTube Music is Google’s latest attempt to break into the streaming music business. Launched in June 2018, it’s basically a replacement for the now-discontinued Google Play Music.
Music offers streaming music from a vast library of songs and albums as well as music videos, and it allows you to create and manage your own playlists. While Music can be accessed in an ad-supported version for free, the real benefits come when you pay for a premium subscription. For $9.99 a month, you can ditch the ads and listen to your favorite tunes without annoying breaks, and it also supports offline music listening via downloads, as well as playing songs in the background or while your phone screen is locked.
Read more: Best YouTube Music alternatives
If you are an eligible student, you can access the paid Music service for just $4.99 a month. If you have more than one person in your family that wants to access it, there’s also a $14.99 a month tier that supports up to six family members in one household on one account.
YouTube Premium was previously called YouTube Red but was renamed when the Music service launched in June 2018. It’s also the only service that doesn’t come with its own app. It’s a paid add-on for power users. For $11.99 a month, you not only get all of the benefits of Music, but you can also watch nearly any YouTube video without any banner ads or video ad breaks (this does not apply when you watch the free Hollywood movies posted on the service, however).
In addition, you can listen to the audio of any YouTube video in the background with a Premium subscription. You can download and watch videos offline as well.
Read more: Is YouTube Premium worth it?
As with Music, students can sign up for Premium for a lower price; $6.99 a month. There’s also a family plan for $17.99 a month that covers up to six people on one account.
YouTube TV, much like Music, is Google’s entry in an already crowded field of entertainment services. This time, YouTube TV is taking on internet-based TV services like Sling, PlayStation Vue, DirecTV Now, and others. Signing up for YouTube TV will allow you to watch live television from your smartphone, smart TV, or other supported devices. Over 70 channels are available with the basic subscription. That includes all of your local broadcast channels. YouTube TV is now available in the entire United States.
Read more: All of the YouTube TV channels
YouTube TV allows up to six people to use the service on one account, and it supports up to three simultaneous video streams. Perhaps the service’s biggest feature is the unlimited cloud DVR feature. Yes, you can record and rewatch as many TV shows and movies on your YouTube TV channel lineup as you want with no storage limits. The only limit it does have is time; the cloud DVR recordings will expire nine months after you store them.
The price for the service is $64.99 a month with a 14-day free trial. There are a number of other channels that you can add to your lineup for additional fees. They include regional sports networks and pay movie channels like HBO Max, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz, and Epix.
