YouTube Trials Free Ad-Supported TV Service

JAKARTA - YouTube is currently reportedly testing a free, ad-supported streaming service in a hub on its platform. With this, users can watch their favorite TV shows.

The new hub, dubbed Ad-Supported Free Streaming Television (FAST) will appear on YouTube's movie and TV storefront, and create competition for other industry players including Roku, Pluto TV and Tubi.

First reported by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), channels are gathered together in a central hub that gives viewers choices on what to watch, with various registered content partners.

According to YouTube, the idea is to gauge viewer interest. If the new hub does well to users in testing, it should likely have a wider rollout later this year.

Since the new hub includes ads, there will be a cut for YouTube as well, around 45 percent of ad revenue. That figure is exactly what is taken from ads on YouTube videos created by content creators as well.

"YouTube is the only place where viewers can find everything they want and we're always looking for new ways to give viewers the ultimate goal of making it easier to find, watch, and share the content that matters most to them," YouTube told Gizmodo. Monday, January 16.

The hub will introduce up to 100 titles across YouTube mobile devices, web browsers and the YouTube app on TV.

However, this test is only running for a small number of users in the United States (US), it is not certain whether if it is officially launched it will also be launched globally.

The Alphabet Inc-owned video platform first launched its free, ad-supported TV show-focused hub last March and partners with Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution, Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, Lionsgate and others to bring movies to audiences.