YouTube TV app goes live on Samsung and LG smart TVs

YouTube TV has enjoyed a slow and steady start to life in its debut year. Google has gradually rolled out its over-the-top live TV streaming service to more and more US markets in the months since launch, as well as adding additional channels and support of Google Home voice commands.

This careful growth continued a few weeks ago with the launch of the official YouTube TV app on Android TV-powered devices and Xbox One consoles. Google promised a wider launch in the weeks to follow, and now it has updated its support page to acknowledge support for selected Samsung and LG smart TVs.

For the time being, only sets launched between in 2016 and 2017 will be compatible with the bespoke YouTube TV app, although the page notes that 2014 and 2015 sets from the two South Korean companies will follow. Linux-based Sony TVs and Apple TV boxes are also mentioned although it only states that support is “coming soon”.

If you’re not up to speed with YouTube TV, think of it as Google’s competitor to services like Hulu or PlayStation Vue. Subscriptions start at $35 a month, which gets you access to live TV from ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and other major networks. It also includes access to YouTube Red originals and lets you record live shows to the cloud with no storage limits so you can watch it on your phone, computer, or TV at any time.

While YouTube TV has technically always been available no matter what TV set you own (as long as you have a spare HDMI port and a Chromecast), the dedicated app should help the service’s overall visibility for potential new subscribers.

To access YouTube TV on a compatible Samsung TV, all you need to do is update your set’s firmware and then head over to “Apps” and add it to your home screen. It’s the same process for LG sets, but you’re looking for the LG Content Store instead.

It will be interesting to see where Google’s fledgling premium TV service goes next. What would you like to see from YouTube TV? More channels? An international launch? Fire TV support (don’t hold your breath!)? Let us know in the comments.