YouTube to Release New Subscription Service Format

YouTube has recently reported plans to launch a new two-in-one subscription-based service at the end of October. It will be a service which offers both music and ad-free videos for one convenient price.

This move seems to be quite in line with the video-sharing website’s long-time plan to provide more options for viewers. It has just taken a year or so to get it started.

“We are progressing according to plan to provide fans more options in how they enjoy content on YouTube,” the company said in a recent statement. “We have support from the overwhelming majority of our partners, with over 95 percent of YouTube watch-time covered by agreements, and more in the pipeline about to close.”

And, sure enough, by the end of next month the company will offer a $10 subscription plan that will provide users with the ability to listen to wide variety of licensed music—both with offline access as well as background playback—in addition to watching videos without the ads which typically accompany the traditional free service.

But some critics argue that the price point (which, if you currently use streaming audio services like Spotify, you are aware is competitive with the industry standard) is too cheap as it would likely only barely cover the cost of music rights.

Still, YouTube reminds that they are serious about this new service, as described in an email to YouTube content providers.

“As you heard in our previous emails, we want to ensure that fans who choose to pay for an ads-free experience can watch all the same videos that are available on the ads-supported experience. That’s why we’re asking you to update your agreement to reflect the updated terms for the ads-free service. If you haven’t signed by that date, your videos will no longer be available for public display or monetization in the United States.”