YouTube TV Adds Bloomberg News & Originals Channels

YouTube TV has expanded its content offerings by securing a significant distribution deal with Bloomberg Media. This partnership introduces two new channels to the YouTube TV lineup: Bloomberg TV+, offering 24-hour live business and financial news, and Bloomberg Originals, featuring a dedicated slate of original series and documentaries. This strategic move aims to provide YouTube TV’s growing subscriber base with comprehensive business and financial insights, alongside premium original content.

A New Era for News and Originals on YouTube TV

The collaboration between YouTube TV and Bloomberg Media marks the first direct distribution agreement between the two entities. Launched on October 28, the new channels are designed to cater to viewers seeking in-depth financial reporting and compelling narrative programming. Bloomberg TV+ stands out as the first 24-hour news channel on YouTube TV to be delivered in 4K UHD, offering a high-quality viewing experience for breaking business and financial news. Both Bloomberg TV+ and Bloomberg Originals are integrated into the existing YouTube TV base plan, making them accessible to all subscribers without an additional fee.

Deep Dive into Bloomberg TV+

Bloomberg TV+ provides continuous live coverage of global business and financial markets. The channel features a range of flagship news programs designed to keep viewers informed throughout the trading day and beyond. Key shows include “Surveillance,” which offers a morning outlook on global markets, “Open Interest,” focusing on the start of the U.S. trading day, and the recently relaunched tech-focused show “Balance of Power”. Other prominent programs include “The Close,” “Horizons: Middle East and Africa,” “Insight With Haslinda Amin,” “The Pulse With Francine Lacqua,” “The China Show,” and “Wall Street Week.” Additionally, select news content from Bloomberg Live Events, such as the Bloomberg New Economy Forum, will be made available on Bloomberg TV+.

Exploring Bloomberg Originals

Complementing the live news, Bloomberg Originals offers a curated selection of original series and feature-length documentaries that delve into business topics through the lenses of technology, climate, culture, and sports. Since its launch in January 2023, the Bloomberg Originals content studio has developed more than 26 original series and documentaries. Notable titles include “An Optimist’s Guide to the Planet,” starring actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, which explores global efforts toward a more sustainable future and debuted its second season on October 22. Other popular series include “The Deal With Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly” and “The Circuit With Emily Chang,” both in their third seasons. The investigative series “Can’t Look Away,” based on reporting from Bloomberg News journalist Olivia Carville, and “The Future with Hannah Fry,” an Emmy award-winning program in the science and technology category, are also part of the lineup.

Strategic Growth for Both Platforms

This agreement represents a significant step for both Bloomberg Media and YouTube TV. For Bloomberg Media, the deal enhances its reach, connecting with YouTube TV’s substantial subscriber base, estimated to be over 10 million. Roman Mackiewicz, Bloomberg Media’s Chief Information Officer, noted the importance of reaching a broader audience of business leaders and individuals navigating shifts in markets, geopolitics, and technology. For YouTube TV, which is the largest internet-delivered pay TV service in the U.S., the addition of Bloomberg’s high-quality business and financial coverage strengthens its appeal and commitment to providing essential news, sports, and entertainment. The integration of Bloomberg’s content further diversifies YouTube TV’s offerings, which are available in its baseline package priced at $82.99 monthly.

Global Reach and Production Excellence

Bloomberg Media operates an extensive global network, with bureaus and facilities in major financial hubs including New York, London, Dubai, Tokyo, and Johannesburg. The media company has also expanded its presence with new studios in Seoul and Mumbai, and plans for another opening in Doha. This global footprint enables Bloomberg to deliver timely and relevant news and insights from diverse markets around the world. Bloomberg News alone employs over 2,700 journalists and has more than 100 global bureaus, producing approximately 5,000 stories daily across its various platforms.

Conclusion

The partnership between YouTube TV and Bloomberg Media enhances the streaming service’s value proposition by integrating premium 24-hour business news and a rich library of original, analytical content. This move not only broadens the scope of information available to YouTube TV subscribers but also underscores the evolving landscape of digital media, where accessibility to diverse and high-quality programming remains a key factor for growth and user engagement. As streaming platforms continue to compete for viewers, strategic content deals like this one are vital in catering to specialized interests and solidifying market presence.