If a new rumor is to be believed YouTube may soon put more content behind a paywall. Recently the company launched YouTube Music Key which is a $7.99 per month subscription service that offers ad-free access to selected music videos as well as streaming from Google Play Music. The rumor suggests that YouTube’s new subscription video service might put some of its best content behind a paywall.
A rumor stems from a comment left on a Variety report which claims that YouTube is “exploring the prospect of launching its own subscription VOD service.” Apparently subscribers will be given ad-free streaming of video content that is part of the program. The unnamed source claims to be an executive at a company that works with YouTube to produce videos.
It is presumed that this subscription video service from YouTube will include content from some of the biggest stars on the website that will come together under the YouTube Originals umbrella.
Some see it as YouTube’s response to rivals like Hulu, Vimeo and Vessel who are working hard to steal some of YouTube’s biggest stars by offering them a bigger cut of the ad revenue. With a paid service YouTube will be able to offer those creators more money and thus ensure that its biggest stars don’t jump ship.
Details about pricing or launch have not been provided. YouTube has neither confirmed nor denied that it is working on putting more content behind a paywall.
Filed in . Read more about YouTube.