YouTube Paid Subscription Program is Now Official

A couple of days ago, we reported that YouTube is planning to in bring in the paid subscription model similar to Netflix and Hulu. Today, the company has made an official announcement confirming the same.

The new paid channel subscriptions are rolling out as a pilot program that includes a handful of partners. Each channel in the pilot will charge a monthly fee starting at $0.99, but every channel has a 14-day free trial period before the payments kick in. YouTube said some of its channel partners will even offer viewers the option of signing up for a 1-year subscription at a discounted rate. Videos from the subscription-based channels will be available across the web, set-top boxes, smart TVs, smartphones, and tablets.

In a statement Google says there are “1 million channels generating revenue on YouTube, and one of the most frequent requests we hear from these creators behind them is for more flexibility in monetizing and distributing content”. That revenue largely comes from the in-video advertisements. Now you’ll pay, too — as little as 99 cents per month.

Good news is that subscription will help you get rid of ads. That’s at least something to cheer about.

Starting today, we’re launching a pilot program for a small group of partners that will offer paid channels on YouTube with subscription fees starting at $0.99 per month. Every channel has a 14-day free trial, and many offer discounted yearly rates. For example, Sesame Street will be offering full episodes on their paid channel when it launches. And UFC fans can see classic fights, like a full version of their first event from UFC’s new channel. You might run into more of these channels across YouTube, or look here for a list of pilot channels. Once you subscribe from a computer, you’ll be able to watch paid channels on your computer, phone, tablet and TV, and soon you’ll be able to subscribe to them from more devices.

YouTube channel owners that are interested in participating can fill out Google-provided form. 

What We Think

Well, we definitely think this is a good move for content creators. This gives them better opportunities to monetize their channels.

As far as viewers are concerned, I guess being ad free is one good take-away. But there have been issues on the video quality and many users have already started reporting that these channels only offer Standard Definition video up to 480p, which is crap!

Are you ready to subscribe yet?