Ahead of the Olympics kickoff next month, YouTube TV is releasing a series of new features, including a 4K add-on package, as well as 5.1 Dolby Audio, which is gradually rolling out for free to all members.
4K Plus, priced at $20 per month — though an introductory offer is currently available for $10, with the first month free — has been in tests since earlier this year, YouTube says. The add-on package also includes a portable DVR of sorts, enabling users to save library recordings to their phones or tablets for offline viewing, as well as unlimited streams at home. (The basic YouTube TV package includes three simultaneous streams).
5.1 Dolby Audio will start rolling out to select devices in coming weeks, YouTube says, and provides a movie theater-like viewing experience with surround-sound.
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At the same time, YouTube TV is introducing new features specifically targeting sports viewers ahead of the Olympics, including the ability to jump to specific sports moments within a DVR recording. This ability was introduced for news content late last year, YouTube says, but now users will also be able to search for sports moments within their DVR libraries, including by league, team, individuals’ names, or tournament. Finally, a by-country medal counter will track Olympic wins in real-time.
This isn’t the first time that YouTube TV has introduced sports-specific viewing features. The platform previously rolled out options to view real-time game stats, important plays, live scores and standings from across a league, and more.
