The combination of Google Cloud Platform (“GCP”), YouTube, Google Ads and Search is a powerful bundle for other cloud platform services (AWS and Azure) to compete with in the Media space – particularly as it relates to streaming services.
Yesterday Google signed a deal with Univision as the latter transitions to an AVOD (Ad-supported Video On-Demand), model. The power in Google’s pitch resonates when one considers Google’s technology stack. For example, the user interface layer (i.e. the streaming service that users engage with), sits on top of GCP. Behind the scenes GCP’s ML/DL models capture every customer interaction, using that information to power predictive models for recommended viewing and the like. This is the “infrastructure” piece of the Univision deal. The marketing piece is promoting Univision’s AVOD service across Google Search, Google Ads and YouTube (YT is the original AVOD-supported platform and remains king with more than 2 billion monthly users). This GCP/YouTube/Google Ads/Search combo seems awfully difficult to beat if you are a Media company looking to modernize your entire service delivery model.