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Google is going to launch a subscription model for YouTube ‘in a few months’, according to a new report.
CNBC quotes Robert Kyncl, the video service’s head of content and business operations, who suggested paying subscribers would be able to access an ad-free version of the site.
This means that users willing to shell out cash would be able to watch unlimited videos, none of which would force advertisements at the start.
What’s more, this service is the same one that YouTube was pilot testing back in 2013 for 99 cents a month.
This trial service allowed users to pay a subscription fee to access a particular channel of videos.
According to the report, Kyncl referred to providers who had been testing unskippable ads.
These providers allegedly saw revenue rates grow annually by some 70 per cent, which means that same feature could make it to YouTube proper.
This would likely provide a better incentive for more users to purchase the purported subscription model.
Google is apparently ‘fine-tuning the experience’ right now, so there’s no telling exactly when it will release.
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Ad-free subscription models aren’t anything new – many streaming services offer similar features. Perhaps most notable is Spotify, whose Premium plan removes advertisements from audio tracks, amongst other features.
What’s more, an ad-free YouTube could better position the video service to rival Netflix, renowned for not forcing advertisements on customers.
It’s important to note that this new subscription plan would be separate from YouTube’s Music Key service, a separate subscription service specifically catering for music.