YouTube is preparing to launch paid subscriptions for individual channels in the second quarter of this year, in an attempt to lure content producers and advertising money away from traditional television.
AdAge reports people familiar with the plans as saying the video platform has asked a small group of channel producers to submit applications for pay-for-access channels.
The first paid channels are expected to cost between US$1 and US$5 per month. YouTube is also said to be considering charging for content libraries and access to live events.
The video platform is expected to target media companies with a proven ability to develop large followings.
The possibility of paid subscriptions was first mooted a year ago by CEO Salar Kamangar at the AllThingsD media conference, who talked about the potential of focusing on second- or third-tier networks struggling to build television audiences big enough to charge subscription fees.
“If we have a subscription model,” he said, “then absolutely that’s something that becomes possible.”
