YouTube video subscriptions may include music, but no network TV

This could prove to be a key attraction YouTube hopes will entice users to sign up for the service, as numerous shows will only be available to paying subscribers; the new service will give all creators the option to hide videos behind a paywall if desired, limiting the number of videos that may be available to users of free, ad-supported YouTube.

At the moment it has managed to sign up YouTube partners, but the major TV networks are holding out. “We have support from the overwhelming majority of our partners, with well over 90% of YouTube watchtime covered by agreements, and more in the pipeline about to close”. As it is, network TV content makes up such a small portion of the free YouTube service that it’s nearly inconsequential. The TV networks aren’t convinced that whole shows should be put on YouTube. Assuming it all goes to plan, this new paid service is expected to be launched by the end of the year. However, on the other hand, the most attractive aspect of YouTube is its democratization of content; all public videos uploaded to YouTube are truly public, it doesn’t matter who you are or how much money you have you can upload or watch whatever you want.

It’s thought that some of the big media companies view the video sharing website as a promotional outlet for clips and highlights, as opposed to full-length shows.

YouTube will introduce two new features to convince people to pay for the commercial-free service. Subscribers will be able to watch ad-free videos, store videos for offline viewing, and play videos in the background on mobile devices. Sources speaking to Bloomberg suggested that Google might roll Music Key, a paid service it created past year, into the YouTube subscription offering. Most though have already signed deals with companies like Netflix and Amazon for TV series. Those networks would bring with them their popular shows, and those popular shows would bring in viewers.

The service, first mooted back in March, is aiming to follow in the steps of services from the likes of Hulu and offer programming that’s a mixture of existing television content, coupled with original content, something YouTube doesn’t have a problem in sourcing.