Google And Amazon End Their Petty Streaming Dispute As YouTube Returns To Fire TV
Google and Amazon have long feuded when it comes to their streaming offerings, which means that users beholden to each respective platform have needlessly suffered. As a result of the tech giant squabbling, Fire TV users have been without the YouTube app since late 2017, while the Prime Video app has been missing from the Google Chromecast.
However, the two companies today officially announced a truce. Google's YouTube app will now be available on Fire TV streaming devices and Fire TV Edition Smart TVs. Likewise, Amazon's Prime Video app will be accessible on Android TV, Chromecast and devices that have integrated Chromecast capabilities.
But it doesn't end there. It has also been revealed that both the YouTube TV (streaming TV service) and the youth-focused YouTube Kids app will also be coming to all Fire TV platforms "later this year."
We should note however, that this new "deal" reached does not include YouTube apps for Amazon Fire tablets or devices like the Echo Show (1stand 2ndgeneration). That isn't too big of a concern considering that both devices can still access YouTube through the built-in web browser.
“Bringing our flagship YouTube experience to Amazon Fire TV gives our users even more ways to watch the videos and creators they love," said Heather Rivera, who serves as Global Head of Product Partnerships for YouTube.
“We’re excited to bring the Prime Video app to Chromecast and Android TV devices, and to give our customers convenient access to the shows and movies they love,” added Andrew Bennett, Head of Worldwide Business Development for Prime Video.
Late last year, Amazon began selling Google's Chromecast and Chromecast after a lengthy hiatus. It's quite possible that this show of goodwill was at least a partial catalyst for thawing the frosty relationship between the two companies.
