Yo, Cable Cutters: YouTube TV will include Comcast SportsNet and ESPN for $35

Surprise! While YouTube is known for making stars of nobodies, the just-announced YouTube TV internet streaming service launching in major markets this Spring will zoom in on mainstream channels — live feeds of ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC, plus affiliated basic cable channels including jock faves ESPN and even Comcast SportsNet — previously used as selling advantages by streaming rivals Sling TV and PlayStation Vue. Original content targeted first to YouTube Red also will be included in the $35-a-month, no-contract deal.

As another "skinny bundle" option for cord cutters, this variant will allow up to three viewers to watch simultaneously on their own mobile devices (or "cast" the content to large-screen sets) and record/store an unlimited number of shows on a cloud DVR for up to nine months, with ad skipping permitted.

Missing in the launch lineup are any channels from Viacom (Comedy Central and MTV), Scripps (HGTV and Food Network), Discovery, Turner (CNN, TBS, TNT) or AMC — all of which would have raised the price of entry. HBO is another no-show, though Showtime (owned by CBS) will be optional.