Google Set to Unveil Subscriptions for Specialist YouTube Videos - Launched

[dfergie]

The move, which has been in the works for months, could be announced as early as this week. It will apply to as many as 50 YouTube channels, people familiar with the plan say. Viewers will be able to subscribe to each channel for as little as $1.99 a month.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/100710884

 

[mike123abc]

The big question is how many niche cable channels could pop up on Youtube. If you can only charge cable 10 cents or less to get carried, having a far smaller audience on youtube might pay more, especially since commercial skipping could be a lot more difficult on youtube.

 

[Blindowl1234]

At $1.99 or so a month I wonder how many of these niche channels would be worth watching. Also I'm assuming the quality would be much better than the typical 240p or 360p typical You Tube stuff. Also I've looked at some of the pay channels that pop up on my Roku and pass them by. The steady stream of new updated content isn't there, or it's not something not of interest to the average person. I'll be curious to see how this plays out with You Tube. Limited commercials might be tolerable on You Tube but not as many as are on a typical 1/2 hour Tv show or you've lost me already.

 

[Mochuf]

I've seen quite few Youtube videos in 720p and 1080p, so there is potential there. But if a channel is going to charge, then it needs to have new or different content I can't find anywhere else. And that content needs to change on a regular basis. This could really cause a lot of disruption in the current marketplace, as long as Google decides to stick with it and not abandon it, like they so often do with projects, when times get tough.

 

[mike123abc]

Any current cable network that does not have live TV could easily adapt to this model. You log in to your youtube account and can watch on demand any of the shows. Essentially it would be like HBO GO.

 

[Kraven]

With all these paid services poping up right, left and center...."cutting the cord" will end up being more expensive than paying for cable.

 

[Blindowl1234]

Kraven, Yeah that's what I'm afraid of paying more than we do already. I'm hoping someday to watch and pay for only my top 20 favorite channels ala carte..like I said I'm hoping.

 

[DustoMan]

The subscriptions are live and the price varies from channel to channel. The small sampling I've clicked on all say that they are ad-free. http://www.youtube.com/channels/paid_channels

 

[dfergie]

YouTube launches subscription service with 'Sesame Street,' UFC

Monthly fees start at 99 cents, with each channel offering a 14-day initial trial.

http://www.latimes.com/entertainmen...subscription-service-20130509,0,7207355.story

 

[KAB]

With all these paid services poping up right, left and center...."cutting the cord" will end up being more expensive than paying for cable.

Only if you drink the Kool-Aide.