In a joint announcement this morning, YouTube is returning to Amazon’s Fire TV devices. Amazon’s Prime Video app will add Chromecast support and become more widely available on Android TV. This announcement marks the end of a long standoff between the two companies. Consequently, this kept the YouTube native app off the Fire TV platform for well over a year, resulting in a less-than-ideal experience for Fire TV users who was to use YouTube.
Google plans to bring back YouTube on Amazon’s Fire TV devices “later this year.” First to come will be the flagship YouTube app set to arrive within the coming months, but there is no official launch date as of yet. YouTube TV will follow after YouTube app makes its debut. Before the end of 2019, child-oriented YouTube Kids app will make its way on Fire TV devices. In addition, Fire TV will be fully certified for YouTube, meaning it will offer first-rate quality and minimal buffering for viewers. Amazon Alexa voice command support for searching and playing content will be available as well.
Google will also receive certain things in return. Amazon will add support for Chromecast integration on its own Prime Video mobile app, allowing users to have an easier time viewing movies and shows on TV’s that run Google’s Chromecast streaming dongles. In addition, Prime Video will become universally available on Android TV, which up until now has been available on a limited number of devices.
Terms of agreement between Google and Amazon were not disclosed. Neither company would specify how often the two have tried to resolve the feud between them.
