Update 2: It seems the confusing terms means that for the first 12 months, the discount will be via a coupon code and billing will be handled by YouTube. After 12 months, T-Mobile will have it integrated into their billing system, similar to how Netflix On Us is now. This will require customers to switch the billing to T-Mobile at that time.
Update: We’ve received internal documentation about the new offer. It seems the terms state that the $10/mo discount only lasts 12 months (see update above), however the terms also state something about T-Mobile having “the right to require billing on your T-Mobile bill to continue $10/mo discount on qualifying streaming services”. It’s unclear if this means the discount will continue in a different form after 12 months, or if the $10/mo discount will only last for 12 months.
We’ve also learned specifics about eligibility. All T-Mobile postpaid customers are eligible for the discounts, including Sprint accounts and Home Internet accounts. Mobile Internet and IoT only accounts are not eligible, as well as prepaid, Metro by T-Mobile, business accounts, and Puerto Rico customers.
Original story continues below.
T-Mobile announced today that their recent foray into the TV business is coming to an end. Plus, a new partnership with Google.
On April 29th, the existing TVision service will shut down. In its place, T-Mobile is offering YouTube TV at a discounted rate of $54.99/mo. That’s a $10 discount on the standard YouTube TV price directly from Google.
In addition, T-Mobile customers will be able to get Philo for $10/mo. Philo will now be T-Mobile’s “base live TV service”. Current TVision VIBE customers can get their first month of Philo for free.
Existing TVision customers can sign up for YouTube TV starting today by signing into their online account and following a unique redemption link, or by contacting T-Mobile customer care. Existing T-Mobile customers who do not currently have TVision services can sign up for the discounted YouTube TV service starting April 6th. Plus as an added bonus customers can get 3 months of YouTube Premium for free when they sign up for YouTube TV.
The news was announced as part of an overall partnership between Google and T-Mobile. T-Mobile has promoted and sold Android devices since the early days of the G1 in 2008.
“We’re building on our decade-long relationship with Google to give customers an even better experience with the world’s very best products and services offered by Android, Pixel and YouTube. The world’s most popular smartphone platform with Android, a broad range of premium Pixel devices, an upgraded, modern messaging experience on Android and a robust entertainment offering with YouTube TV — it’s the best of Google, combined with the nation’s largest and fastest 5G network on T-Mobile.”
Mike Sievert, CEO of T-Mobile
T-Mobile says they are working to fully implement Google’s RCS testing services across their entire network. The Google Messages app will be the default messaging experience on all Android devices on T-Mobile. This includes new end-to-end encryption on messages between two people using RCS.
Also announced is a plan to “expand the array of Pixel and other Android devices the company will carry”, as well as using Google One cloud storage, though it’s unclear if any sort of cloud storage deals will be offered to T-Mobile customers.
