As the streaming wars intensify with brands rolling out hours and hours of new content each month, YouTube on Monday announced that it would offer Dolby 5.1 surround sound and 4K playback as part of its YouTube TV service.
The super-HD video option, which is being called "4K Plus," comes along with the ability to download and stream content offline on any device, and is tailor made for "major sports events this summer," as well as on-demand content from FX, Discovery Networks and Tastemade, a press release said. The subscription also allows for unlimited streams from a single account, as opposed to the base package, which allows only three simultaneous streams.
The subscription is set to cost $19.99 per month, but that's in addition to the $64.99 base fee for YouTube TV. New users are being offered a free trial month and an introductory rate of $9.99 a month for the first year of service. For context, a basic Netflix subscription is $8.99.
Surround sound is set to be offered "to select devices over the coming weeks," but eventually will be available for all YouTube TV subscribers, the company said. Both surround sound and 4K video have been among the most requested additions by users.
For additional information about YouTube TV and its new offering, visit the company's website.