Google blocks access to YouTube from Amazon Fire TV and Echo Show

Google has blocked YouTube again on the Amazon Echo Show and will do the same on the Amazon Fire TV on January 1. Google says it is blocking the service because it cannot reach an agreement with Amazon about using each other’s services.

A Google spokesperson told Engadget that the company has long tried to reach an agreement with Amazon, but that it has not been successful. Google blames Amazon for not selling products such as the Chromecast and Google Home and for Amazon’s Prime Video service not working with Google Cast. “Due to this lack of reciprocity, we no longer support YouTube on the Echo Show and Fire TV,” the Google spokesperson said.

As a result, YouTube will immediately stop working on the Amazon Echo Show, which is a smart speaker with a 7″ screen. As of January 1, the video website will no longer be accessible via the app on the Fire TV, according to Engadget sources. Chromecast alternative from Amazon.

Originally, Amazon had created its own YouTube app for its Echo Show. As early as September, Google made sure that app no ​​longer worked. This probably had to do with, for example, the lack of the possibility to subscribe to a channel. According to Google, the Amazon app violated the terms and conditions of the service.

In November, YouTube became available again on the Echo Show, but this time as a representation of the web version. That version is now also blocked. Amazon says in a response to Engadget that it is unfair for Google to deny customers access to the YouTube website based on what hardware they use. The online department store hopes to find a solution together with Google.