YouTube debuts Primetime Channels marketplace in Germany

YouTube has launched a version of its Primetime Channels streaming marketplace outside the United States for the first time.

This week, YouTube streamers in Germany gained access to a version of Primetime Channels that incorporates premium streaming services from German public broadcaster ARD, A+E Networks and other content providers.

"With YouTube Primetime Channels, we offer our users the opportunity to experience subscription-based premium TV and movie content, both linear and on-demand, from a variety of well-known partners directly in one place, where they are often searched for and discovered," Andreas Briese, the director of YouTube Germany, said in a statement. "[Streamers] can rely on YouTube’s familiar design and ease of use, instead of having to deal with different services. We are pleased to provide this novel experience in Germany together with our partners."

In a blog post detailing the announcement, YouTube Strategic Partner Manager Jens Fabian Kirsch said the streaming marketplace in Germany has become "increasingly competitive" over the last few years. Streamers who are looking for new content to watch often turn to YouTube for recommendations, Kirsch wrote, citing a study published by Futuresource Consulting.

While YouTube might help streamers settle on a TV series or movie to watch, viewers still have to seek out different services to actually watch a program or film, Kirsch said. YouTube Primetime Channels aims to reduce the friction of the streaming experience by offering a collection of premium streaming services in one place, without the need to switch apps.

If that sounds familiar, it's probably because YouTube Primetime Channels has been available stateside since late last year. Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, AMC+ and MGM+ served as early launch partners for YouTube Primetime Channels when it debuted in November, with streamers able to sign up for subscriptions and watch content without leaving the YouTube app.

Germans will get the same experience, but with a more-limited selection of premium streaming services at launch. Among the services available through YouTube Primetime Channels in Germany are ARD Plus, Motorvision TV, History Play, Crime + Investigation Play, Sport 1+ and Sportdigital Football. Subscriptions range from €3 ($3.20) a month to €100 ($106) per year, and most include a limited free trial. Kirsch said other partners, like Paramount+, are coming later this year.

Kirsch said the scale of YouTube in Germany will benefit streaming partners by getting their content in front of more people, which will help increase subscriptions and revenue.

"With billions of monthly logged-in users watching billions of hours of video every day, media partners have successfully relied on YouTube as a vital, global channel to reach their audiences for many years," Kirsch said. "With YouTube Primetime Channels, we offer our partners the opportunity to use both the existing size of YouTube as a powerful video content discovery tool and the unique fan and community functions...to win fans, increase interaction and lock them in over the long term."

Editor’s Note: Quotes in this article were translated from their original German to English with slight word modification for clarity for English-native readers.