YouTube TV adds non-sports multiview
YouTube TV has launched a new feature, Multiview, which will allow users to choose streams of news, business news and weather content, in addition to sports streams. The multiview feature already allowed four sports streams to be viewed at once, but viewers will now have more choice and can select from preselected videos. Spanish-language sports channels will also be added to Multiview for members with a Spanish or Spanish Plus plan. To use the feature, subscribers select the Multiview option from their “Top Picks for You” section and can switch audio and captions between streams.
Introduction
YouTube TV continues to innovate in the live TV service space, and has launched a new version of Multiview, an option that allows viewers to choose between streams of news, business news and weather content, in addition to live sports streams for the first time. The Multiview feature, which already allowed up to four streams to be viewed at once, will now offer more choice for viewers who can switch audio and captions between streams by selecting a new Multiview option, if available, from their “Top Picks for You” section in the YouTube TV app on their television.
What is Multiview?
Multiview is a live TV feature that enables users to select multiple preselected live video streams and watch them all at the same time on a single screen. YouTube TV first launched Multiview in March, with a focus on multiview for use during live sports events. It currently works on all smart TVs and media players that can run YouTube TV as the processing is done on the service’s servers.
What are the benefits of Multiview?
Multiview is particularly useful for sports fans who want to watch multiple games and keep up with scores without having to constantly change channels, making it more convenient to catch up on different streams of content at the same time. The feature works in such a way that subscriber can keep an eye on all four streams at once, and can jump into full-screen view for each one and switch the audio and the captioning to whatever event they want to focus on at the moment.
What’s new about Multiview?
As of recent, the Multiview feature offered by YouTube TV has been updated to support weather, news, and other content alongside live sports, in addition to allowing Spanish-language sports channels to be added to the pre-selected stream options for members with a Spanish or Spanish Plus plan. Members are able to select the new multiview option from their “Top Picks for You” section and can switch audio and captions between streams.
How Does Multiview Work?
To bring the multiview feature to life, the company had to get creative with its use of technology. Typically, a multiview experience would rely on a high-end user device to process and play back multiple streams at once, then show them as one cohesive view. Because YouTube TV doesn’t require high-end equipment to run, the company had to find a way to do more of the processing on the server side instead. The update has been rolled out on a gradual basis, with early access to Multiview being offered to select users in the US.
How do subscribers enable the Multiview feature?
To use the Multiview feature, subscribers must first select the “Multiview” option from their “Top Picks for You” section in the YouTube TV app. Subscribers will receive an email and see an alert if they’ve been opted in. They can then switch audio and captions between streams, as well as jump in and out of a full-screen view of a game.
What’s next for Multiview?
YouTube TV plans to gradually rollout Multiview to all users over the summer and will add more functionality to the feature, including the option to customize your own multiview streams. Over time, the company will expand Multiview to the main YouTube app as well. The addition of Multiview is the latest in several technologies and features YouTube TV has launched in a bid to attract sports fans, including key plays, fantasy view, and 4K streaming.
The Bottom Line
YouTube TV continues to add new features to its live TV service, and its latest addition of non-sport content for Multiview will likely appeal to audiences who want to catch up with news, weather, and sports content at the same time. With time, YouTube TV will continue to add more features to Multiview and make it more immersive compared to other players in the live streaming space.
FAQs
1. How can I access the Multiview feature on YouTube TV?
To access the Multiview feature on YouTube TV, subscribers can select the Multiview option, if available, from their “Top Picks for You” section in the YouTube TV app on their television.
2. Can I customize my own Multiview streams?
As of the moment, the ability to customize your own Multiview streams is not yet available. However, YouTube TV is working on adding the feature in the future.
3. Is the Multiview feature available for all YouTube TV subscribers?
No, the Multiview feature is being gradually rolled out to select users in the US for early access. YouTube TV plans to broaden its availability to all users over the summer.
4. Can I switch audio and captions between streams while using Multiview?
Yes, subscribers can switch audio and captions between streams while using Multiview by selecting the switch option from their “Top Picks for You” section in the YouTube TV app.
5. Will Multiview be expanded to other languages?
There are no updates yet on whether Multiview will be expanded to support languages other than Spanish, but YouTube TV is always working to improve its features.