YouTube launches subscription service

antijoke

antijoke

antijoke

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Rumors of YouTube adopting a paid subscription model have been circulating for years, and now, Google has made it official. Starting today, the video service is launching a small group of paid channels from select content partners, with monthly fees starting at $0.99. The list of 53 channels included in the pilot program include Laugh Factory VIP, JIm Henson Family TV, National Geographic Kids, ScreamPix, UFC Select, and more.

But Google isn't expecting users to jump in blindly. Every paid channel is required to offer a 14-day free trial and some include discounted annual rates. In the weeks to come, Google will allow additional channels to adopt the paid subscription model, although content makers will have to meet a set of prerequisites.
This is the latest in Google's ongoing efforts to bring premium video content to YouTube. The company has bulked up its investment in high-quality video partners, having already offered millions to a wide array of content makers to boost production values and even as going as far to build a professional-grade production studio in Los Angeles for select partners to use.Do after months of rumours, they've gone and launched it.

Source IGN
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So what are the opinions on this? I don't think I would ever pay for a subscription to YT no matter what the content would be. I just hope some of the million plus subscriber channels I watch don't go this route.
 
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This depends how it's implemented and how companies use it, it could be a good thing. We need services that break the traditional tv broadcasting. We need Internet TV to become a reality and this could help enable that, but only if producers/channels put entire shows on and make them cheap.
 
Suarez7 said:
Was always going to happen with the popularity, can see facebook going the same way.
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Yep, in both of those examples they have no competitors. That is nothing comparable in search rankings. With that kinda of marketshare there can do anything they want. But it's no big deal at the moment.
 
Well Google aren't stupid, however people are...very much so, I wonder how many up loaders will try this, watch their viewer count drop, then wonder why their narcissistic desire isnt satisfied.
 
Suarez7 said:
Was always going to happen with the popularity, can see facebook going the same way.
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Loads facebook, looks at login page, ''Sign up, It's free and always will be''

I doubt they would put that without reason, I bet the reason is to try and stop internet rumors before they start, I guess it don't always work
 
It sounds ok to me. I gather that these channels will be professional outfits rather than some teen sitting in front of their webcam. If the quality of the broadcasts are good enough or interesting enough, then i can see this being a huge success.

I can see Youtube adopting original series' to compete with Netflix and the new lovefilm in house series'.
 
I doubt it will apply to all channels and I doubt they'll add an 'opt in' option for everyone to use. It looks more like it's meant to make money for networks through their Youtube account more than anything else.
 
If channels did this with big back catalogues it would be awesome.

For example, the children's television favourite, Sesame Street will offer full episodes on its pay channel when it launches.
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If its like £4 a month that's potential a lot of channels you could get for the same price as sky/virgin, and far more targeted. Will have to see how it pans out.
 
Glaucus said:
This depends how it's implemented and how companies use it, it could be a good thing. We need services that break the traditional tv broadcasting. We need Internet TV to become a reality and this could help enable that, but only if producers/channels put entire shows on and make them cheap.
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4od had loads of free stuff on them at one time , I'm not sure if they still do
now they are likely to start charging for it....

It also means YT will be more ruthless at removing really old tv series, movies and documentaries from youtube some of which have been on there for years
 
arknor said:
4od had loads of free stuff on them at one time , I'm not sure if they still do
now they are likely to start charging for it....

It also means YT will be more ruthless at removing really old tv series, movies and documentaries from youtube some of which have been on there for years
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Since when did channel 4 have anything good to show.
 
I don't mind paying a reasonable fee if its premium content stuff with good image quality and professional/high quality production (and something I'm interested in) if its just any old videos then its pointless.
 
i'd happily pay subscription fees. i don't have a tv license and don't even have a tv connected atm because i use YT and the iplayer. If YT had series upon series on it, which i can access any time i want without the fear they'll expire after 30 days and be gone for good i'd pay for this.

I imagine you'll get content similar to netflix on youtube now.
 
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