YouTube TV Brings Live Surround Sound to Roku, Android Streaming Devices – CNET [CNET]

Users of the Apple TV, Fire TV and game consoles will have to wait a little longer for 5.1-channel sound from the live TV streaming service.

Google says its live TV streaming service YouTube TV is rolling out 5.1 surround sound on Android TV, Google TV and Roku this week.

The company shared the news in a series of tweets this afternoon, saying: “We know you’ve been waiting, and it’s *finally* ready. 5.1 Audio is rolling out this week across Google TV, Android TV, and Roku devices.”

This just in 🔈─────────────⚪️🔊

We know you’ve been waiting, and it’s *finally* ready. 5.1 Audio is rolling out this week across Google TV, Android TV, and Roku devices.

— YouTube TV (@YouTubeTV) June 7, 2022

The Chromecast and Roku devices join Samsung, LG and Vizio TVs in offering 5.1 on live broadcasts, but if you’re using another device you may need to wait. 

“We’re still working internally and with partners to enable 5.1 on Apple TV, Fire TV, and game consoles, and we’ll update you here once they’re available,” Google tweeted. The company shared its full list of compatible devices here.  

We’re still working internally and with partners to enable 5.1 on Apple TV, Fire TV, and game consoles, and we’ll update you here once they’re available. For the full list of current compatible devices, check out ➡️ https://t.co/kfARTipLUG

— YouTube TV (@YouTubeTV) June 7, 2022

The company had originally said the upgrade was coming “within weeks” when it unveiled its $20-a-month 4K add-on back in June last year.

Most of YouTube TV’s competitors only support stereo sound on live TV, but do offer 5.1 sound for on-demand content.