YouTube TV is experimenting with a feature that could significantly enhance its appeal to cord-cutters: background playback. This means you could soon listen to your favorite live TV shows even when you can’t watch the screen, similar to how you can with music streaming services.
Currently, YouTube TV pauses playback and cuts the audio as soon as you switch away from the app or lock your phone. This can be frustrating if you’re following a live event or simply want to keep listening to a show while doing something else on your phone.
The addition of background playback would bring YouTube TV in line with YouTube Premium, which already offers this feature along with ad-free viewing. However, it’s important to note that YouTube TV is a separate subscription service focused on live TV streaming, starting at $72.99 per month.
Google has confirmed to various media outlets that it’s running an experiment to enable background playback on YouTube TV for both Android and iOS users. While the company hasn’t officially announced a rollout date, this confirmation suggests that the feature could be available to all users soon.
The background playback feature is designed to be simple and intuitive. If you have the YouTube TV app open and lock your phone, the audio will continue to play. If you want to stop the audio, you can simply pause the video before locking your phone.
Background playback could be a game-changer for YouTube TV subscribers, offering several benefits:
- Multitasking: Listen to live events or shows while using other apps or even with your phone’s screen off.
- Convenience: Keep up with the news or your favorite programs while commuting, exercising, or doing chores.
- Improved Accessibility: This feature could make YouTube TV more accessible for users with visual impairments.
While the official release date remains uncertain, the prospect of background playback is exciting news for YouTube TV subscribers. This feature could significantly enhance the user experience and make YouTube TV an even more compelling alternative to traditional cable.
