YouTube Could Debut ESPN, ABC, and CBS on Its New Online TV Service Next Year

Since at least 2012, YouTube has been developing a paid online television subscription service, reportedly dubbed ‘Unplugged,’ that will allow viewers to access cable TV content through the streaming platform. Part of this process entails negotiating deals with cable networks to host their videos.

Now, a report has surfaced in The Information suggesting that YouTube is close to finalizing deals with ESPN, ABC, and CBS, which are “firmly expected to be part of the subscription offering.” The product may launch in as early as six to nine months. The report also revealed that, rather than negotiating licensing deals with niche networks such as HGTV, YouTube plans to produce its similarly-themed content for its own channels.

While the subscription costs of the plan have not been finalized, Bloomberg reports that people familiar with the project expect it to charge less than $35 a month. The basic plan will grant viewers access to a core bundle of channels and content, while giving them the option of purchasing additional theme based packages (i.e. a comedy-themed package with access to Comedy Central) as add-ons.

If YouTube is successful in creating “skinny packages” of cable content tailored to the viewing habits of customers, it may convince more cable companies to sign similar licensing deals to drive more audiences to second-tier channels, Bloomberg reports. Cable companies have been struggling with declining viewership and themed-packages of 15 to 30 channels as a way of meeting the demands of viewers.

The question remains whether YouTube will be able to attract paying subscribers to Unplugged. As the Verge notes, its other subscription service, YouTube Red, has thus far failed to generate much interest.