From the Hell freezes over department: Users of Fire TV adapters and Fire TV televisions will finally be getting access to the YouTube and YouTube Kids streaming apps without having to go to any additional devices or streaming platforms.
And turnaround is fair play: users of many Chromecast devices and Android TVs soon will be getting the Amazon Prime Video app.
That’s because the at times competing video service departments of Amazon and Google announced this week that they have agreed to allow the use of the YouTube app on Amazon’s Fire TV devices in coming weeks. At the same time, users of Chromecast devices will be getting the Amazon Prime Video app on their Chromecast dongles and built-in platforms like Android TV-based televisions. (Sony, which reached its own agreement with Amazon for its Android TV-based televisions, had previously offered the Amazon Prime app.)
In tandem with the service carriage agreements, Amazon began selling Chromecast devices and products on its web site.
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In a statement announcing the agreement this week, Heather Rivera, head of YouTube product partnerships said: “bringing our flagship YouTube experience to Amazon Fire TV gives our users even more ways to watch the videos and creators they love.”
Andrew Bennett, head of Prime Video Worldwide Business Development stated: “We’re excited to bring the Prime Video app to Chromecast and Android TV devices.. whether watching the latest season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, catching teams go head-to-head on Thursday Night Football or renting a new-release movie, customers will have even more ways to stream what they want, whenever they want, no matter where they are.”
With the flagship YouTube app on Android TVs and Chromecast devices, viewers will have access to thousands of YouTube user channels and programs. Users will be able to sign in to a YouTube account to access personalized content and subscribed channels. This content includes the ability to play on supporting devices some content shot and streamed in 4K HDR at up to 60 fps. In addition, standalone YouTube TV and YouTube Kids apps will also launch later this year on Fire TV devices and Fire TV Edition smart TVs where available.
When installed on Android TVs and Chromecast devices, the Prime Video app will bring Amazon Prime members access to the Prime Video catalog including hundreds of recent box office releases and hundreds of Amazon originally produced movies and television programs.
Amazon’s Prime program also offers benefits such as free shipping on certain products purchased via the e-commerce web store, as access to other video options like 4K/HDR video, including programs produced with HDR10+ dynamic metadata, and exclusive features like X-Ray.
By Greg Tarr
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