Google Fibre drops TV service, to focus on internet
09 Oct 2017
Google Fiber, which was expected to provide internet and TV service at blazing speed and reasonable prices, will not be delivering on its promise.
In a blog post Google explained that the TV portion of Google Fiber is being eliminated from future rollouts of the service. Google said in the blog post that in its newest markets, Louisville and San Antonio, it will not be providing optional TV service.
"More and more people are moving away from traditional methods of viewing television content," said Google Fiber's Cathy Fogler. "Customers today want to control what, where, when, and how they get content.
"Whether it's through YouTube TV, Hulu, Netflix, or more specific targeted services - there are so many ways to watch what you want, when you want it."
Fogler added that Google Fiber allows customers to enjoy the aforementioned streaming services at the highest quality settings across multiple devices in their home.
According to commentators, it was also quite possible that Google Fiber simply has not seen an encouraging uptake rate for the TV add-on.
Meanwhile, Google Fiber has run into problems, and after CEO George McCray stepped down in July, only five months into his term. Parent company Alphabet has yet to announce a replacement.
To add to its woes, Fiber rollout has not gone as planned, with the company reportedly running up the budget and having to compromise on the products it offers consumers. Also things are not getting much better, with Google Fiber revealing that when it launches in Louisville, Kentucky and San Antonio, Texas, it will only focus on providing high-speed internet and not a TV add-on.
Google Fiber said in its blog that people in existing markets with a Fiber TV add-on need not worry, since there were no plans to get rid of that right now.
