YouTube is to launch its own on-demand music subscription service, according to a new report.
The service will apparently be similar to Spotify's offering, but with video content somehow thrown into the mix (as you might expect from the online video giant). What's more, this new music service will launch before the end of the year.
Citing "several sources familiar with the plans," Billboard claims that the new service has been designed with mobile listening in mind. There will apparently be both a free element and a paid "premium tier" that offers unlimited access to a comprehensive online music library, as well as enabling offline listening and removing ads.
Which all sounds rather similar to Google's All Access music service. That's the same Google, of course, that owns YouTube.
However, the free element sounds pretty intriguing. Apparently it will also involve unlimited and on-demand access to full tracks on all platforms - including mobile. YouTube's primary goal here is said to be to get more eyes and ears on its mobile platform, thus securing more ad income.
All of which makes you wonder how appealing a premium tier would be. Apparently, aside from offline caching and full album streaming, it could give YouTube more flexibility and power over how it can use and package the music it licenses.
Then there's the potential link-ups with future Google services, including Google Glass. Indeed, it's said that Google's licensing efforts with the aforementioned All Access music service are also applicable to YouTube's new service.
Read More: Google Music All Access vs Spotify
