The Financial Times is reporting that YouTube will launch a paid subscription model for specific, specialist video channels — as soon as this week. The report, which cites an anonymous source, suggests that the site has been developing the system for months, in order to help channels fund more content.
Rumours suggest that 50 YouTube channels will initially be pay-for, and that a subscription will cost from $US2 per month. Speaking to Mashable, a YouTube spokesperson explained:
“We have nothing to announce at this time, but we’re looking into creating a subscription platform that could bring even more great content to YouTube for our users to enjoy and provide our creators with another vehicle to generate revenue from their content, beyond the rental and ad-supported models we offer.”
It certainly doesn’t do a great deal to deny the idea. There have long been rumours that have suggested YouTube would begin charging for premium content; if this fresh one is true, there might not be much longer to wait before that’s the case. [FT via Mashable]