The spat between Roku and Google over the YouTube TV app continues with news that the search giant has let the current distribution agreement expire which has resulted in the removal of the app from Roku’s channel store. While the move won’t impact those with the YouTube TV app already installed on their Roku devices “at this time”, it does mean that new subscribers will be unable to download and install the app. Roku has issued a statement on the situation and has sent an email with further details to YouTube TV users explaining their side of the story, and we’ve got the details for you after the break.
Existing users of the YouTube TV app on Roku devices have nothing to worry about for the moment, the removal of the YouTube TV app from the channel store only affects new users or those who hadn’t installed the app on their device previously. The spat does not affect the basic YouTube app, which is a small mercy in itself, but there’s no telling what will happen if either side decides to escalate proceedings other than consumers being the ones paying the price.
Roku’s statement regarding the expiration of the distribution agreement goes as follows:
“We are disappointed that Google has allowed our agreement for the distribution of YouTube TV to expire. Roku has not asked for one dollar of additional financial consideration from Google to renew YouTube TV.
We have only asked Google for four simple commitments. First, not to manipulate consumer search results. Second, not to require access to data not available to anyone else. Third, not to leverage their YouTube monopoly to force Roku to accept hardware requirements that would increase consumer costs. Fourth, not to act in a discriminatory and anticompetitive manner against Roku.
Because our contract has expired, we have removed YouTube TV from our channel store. To continue to provide our users with a great streaming experience, we are taking the extra step to continue to offer existing subscribers access to YouTube TV on the Roku platform unless Google takes actions that require the full removal of the channel. Because of Google’s conduct, new subscriptions will not be available going forward until an agreement is reached.
It is well past time for Google to embrace the principles that have made streaming so popular for millions of users by giving consumers control of their streaming experience, by embracing fair competition and by ceasing anticompetitive practices. We believe consumers stand to benefit from Google and Roku reaching a fair agreement that preserves these principles and we remain committed to trying to achieve that goal.”
For its part, Roku doesn’t seem to be asking for anything outrageous and isn’t following a scorched earth policy, instead, it would appear, yet again, that Google is being unfair and something of a bully in its methods by requiring preferential treatment on a rival platform. Something that probably won’t go unnoticed by those involved in antitrust suits against the search giant.
Roku sent the following email to those using the YouTube TV app on its devices earlier this morning:
As mentioned when we covered the initial story, it seems that Google is flexing its muscles where YouTube TV is concerned about requiring preferential treatment for its service on the Roku platform, which just so happens to be a competing product to the search giant’s Chromecast with Google TV device. It may also be that Roku’s acquisition of Quibi content is also something that is riling Google, who knows. The only certainties in the situation are that Google’s greed is once again on display and that the consumer will be the one left paying the price, one way or the other.
