Earlier in October, Youtube launched a new service called YouTube Red, a paid subscription service where for $9.99, U.S. viewers can watch all of YouTube’s content ad-free, play videos while using other phone apps, and save videos for offline play.
To make this service even more enticing, YouTube is offering exclusive content from popular YouTubers such as PewDiePie and the Fine Brothers. YouTube Red users will also be gaining access to YouTube’s music streaming service, when it comes out.
My perspective is, this is definitely an interesting move by Google to add this subscription based offer. YouTube has always been a free service, with millions and millions of individuals going on the site for free entertainment. It is difficult to understand I’m interested to see what percentage of users will end up signing up for the service, and if the price tag will actually be justifiable for ad free viewing, and offline downloads of videos.
It seems that Google is trying to catch the wave of subscription based streaming services. Consumers are now watching less traditional TV, and moving onwards to streaming services such as Netflix, Pandora, Spotify, iTunes Music, and even Adobe Cloud.
In the context of YouTube, digital marketers will now have to be aware that Youtube ads may not be an option in the future!