YouTube Adds Nearly 4,000 Free TV Episodes (With Ads)

You might consider opening the YouTube app the next time you scan the streaming apps without a second thought to watch the next TV show. At least, as long as you can stomach ads.

Google’s popular video platform announced today that users can now stream nearly 4,000 episodes of different TV shows for free with ads. You can browse the full list in File Section “Free to Watch Shows” From the “Movies & Shows” category on YouTube. It includes some of the most popular titles out of the 100 or so available offerings Hell’s KitchenAnd the AndromedaAnd the HeartlandAnd the BoardingAnd the Kitchen nightmares. Older versions include Unsolved mysteriesAnd the 21 Jump StreetAnd the The Carol Burnett ShowAnd the the lone knightAnd the Hopalong CassidyAnd the Dick Van Dyke Show.

The shows join nearly 1,500 ad-supported films from companies such as Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution and Warner Bros. and Paramount Pictures, Lionsgate, FilmRise, and others. Include new additions to the platform Gone in sixty secondsAnd the runaway bridgeAnd the Legally Blonde.

Google is trying to boost its YouTube offerings to compete with other streaming apps after removing Google Play Movies and TV apps from most TV platforms. The company’s attempt to take on Netflix with original TV shows and movies has faltered via YouTube Originals. Although it released some hits like Cobra KaiYouTube has never been able to keep up with its competitors, but finally make it The originals are free to watch before it is completely reduced.

Now YouTube is changing strategies and following the growing portion of ad-supported shows referred to as FAST, or ad-supported free TV streaming services. So far, Tubi, Xumo, Plex, Roku, and even a few TV makers are giving users access to free content. YouTube is lagging behind but can benefit from having 2 billion active users already browsing the app or webpage.

To this point, the company says it will introduce new navigation and immersive banner art to help users switch between watching rented or purchased content and free shows and movies with ads. Interestingly, the commercial breaks will vary depending on the user and “the context in which they are viewing the shows.” Take Crunch reports.

Those first 100 TV shows and 1,500 movies are just the starting blocks for YouTube, which plans to add up to 100 shows and movies each week.