YouTube Adds Paid Channel Subscriptions →
Mark this date. I have a feeling this is going to be a huge disruption in the TV space. It’s limited to select partners for right now, but I’ll bet that anyone with a YouTube channel will get the opportunity eventually. And as Mat Honan sais, this brings us “a small step closer to the dream of a la carte programming.”
YouTube will let you pay to subscribe to channels with a new pilot program that includes a limited number of channel partners for now. The company listed Jim Henson Family TV and Ultimate Fighting Championship as initial members.
Prices start at $.99 per month, paid via Google Wallet. Users get a 14 day free trial to channels, which are also discounted if you subscribe by the year. Once signed up for a paid channel, you can suck down as much video as it has to offer.
Just like some popular social networking sites, online video services are moving to become (big) networks on their own. This’s good news. But, this debate will continue, unendingly: Should we all pay for what we watch OR should we all pay for what some of us like to watch??
Signed up for a paid channel, you can suck down as much video as it has to offer.
