Google Play Music and YouTube Red are coming together to create a whole new streaming service. A report from The Verge says that Google has confirmed the merger, but the changes are not to be reflected immediately. The company asserts that users would be getting a notice in advance before any change are made to the existing services. It also noted that the process is still under evaluation and the team is focusing on the best way to merge the music services.
The report is essentially based on the comments made by YouTube exec Lyor Cohen at the New Music Seminar conference in New York. At the seminar, Cohen said that “the important thing is combining YouTube Red and Google Play Music, and having one offering.”
In addition, the comment from Google also indicated that changes are on the cards, it read:
Music is very important to Google and we’re evaluating how to bring together our music offerings to deliver the best possible product for our users, music partners and artists. Nothing will change for users today and we’ll provide plenty of notice before any changes are made.
Already merged under subscription
YouTube Red and Google Play Music are already together when it comes to inclusion in the subscription of both the services. YouTube Red subscription comes with free access to Google Play Music while existing Google Play Music subscribers get free YouTube Red membership. The arrangement has been the same since the inception of both the services, but many customers are not aware of the additional access. Juggling between the two apps is not easy as well as users have to switch depending on whether they want to play music or a video.
Besides, YouTube Red’s service can be accessed through its main YouTube app wherein you can search for videos or listen to Red's offline streaming or background play features. But Google also runs a standalone YouTube Music app that streams music videos and can be used for free with ads.
Notably, Play Music is currently accessible in 64 countries while the YouTube Red is limited to just five. Maybe, by uniting them, Google also wants to expand the reach of YouTube Red in other nations.
Better to merge YouTube Music and Play Music
We think that the better prospect would be to merge YouTube Music’s videos and Play Music’s audio into a single app, similar to what its rivals like Apple Music and Spotify are doing. Google can also enjoy an edge here, thanks to the vast music video collection on YouTube. But the company did not confirm whether it is a part of the plan too. Meanwhile, many are speculating that the Play Music and YouTube Red merger could be more of a rebranding, similar to the Amazon Prime.
While Google is yet to confirm the merger, but the report says that the internal teams for the apps have already merged.
