YouTube has been slowly moving into mainstream media in the sense that it is reaching out to content producers to create original content exclusively to be hosted on its website. A new report suggests that the website may even enter into the domain of paid channel subscriptions before this year concludes.
According to AdAge, YouTube has contacted a select group of channel producers and is trying to reach a deal with them to offer content for a subscription charge of $1 to $5 per month to YouTube viewers. Moreover, the website may also start charging a token subscription fee from viewers who wish to gain access to streaming of live events.
Currently, YouTube does offer paid content but that is limited to movies and television shows. Offering paid subscription to entire channels is an all new thing and it remains to be seen how the users respond to this. Initially, it is being hoped that the website will offer the feature on select channels, specifically the ones which are already popular with the viewers. Alternatively, YouTube could launch new channels with handpicked content and high-quality videos and then couple the new feature with it.
Such producers who decide to offer paid subscriptions on their channels will also have the option of including ads alongside their content, thus creating an additional revenue stream for them. For now, YouTube hasn’t divulged any information regarding these speculations, but AdAge claims that the website will launch the paid subscriptions for channels by spring this year.
Source: AdAge
Courtesy: The Verge
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