YouTube TV Adds Cheddar, Cheddar Big News To Lineup, Marking First Digital-Native Channels

YouTube TV has added Cheddar’s two streaming news channels to its lineup: its eponymous business destination as well as Cheddar Big News, which is dedicated to general interest stories.

The additions mark YouTube TV’s first digital-native networks, Variety reports, and brings the service’s roster to more than 50 total channels. Reports surfaced earlier this month that YouTube TV is also readying linear channels for progressive news network The Young Turks as well as food publisher Tastemade. YouTube TV would not pay the companies carriage fees, but instead vend ad inventory alongside each publisher and split the revenues.

“Cheddar’s emphasis on tech and media news coverage make it a strong fit for the millennial, tech-savvy audience that also loves YouTube TV,” Christian Oestlien

, the service’s director of product, said in a statement. In addition to the two streaming channels, YouTube TV will also furnish select on-demand content from Cheddar and Cheddar Big News. Separately, Cheddar operates a traditional YouTube channel with 15,000 subscribers.

Today marks the official launch of Cheddar Big News (see below), which will roll out to Sling TV and Philo in the second quarter, according to the company. The channel purports to cover national and international stories with the feel of local news. Its launch sponsor is The Coca-Cola Company and content partners include AccuWeather as well as sports networks Stadium, VSiN, and FanSided.