Google appears to be much closer to launching a web TV service than its big rival Apple, according to Wall Street Journal sources.
The publication says Google has agreed terms with US TV network CBS to carry content for the platform, which will apparently take up a home on YouTube.
WSJ sources also say Google is close to an agreement with Disney and 21st Century Fox ahead of a likely launch in early 2017.
According to the report, the service will be called Unplugged and will be available from between $25 and $40.
Related: PlayStation Vue review
This so called ’skinny’ bundle has been the subject of much discussion in the last couple of years.
Reportedly, Apple’s efforts to convince content providers to unbundle their channels for such a proposition has been met with strong opposition.
As such Apple currently appears to be no further along with its plans.
What Google is doing to differentiate itself from Apple in the eyes of the networks remains to be seen.
According to the WSJ, Google Unplugged will be available through YouTube Red, although at an additional cost.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
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We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.