YouTube begins charging for some videos

[Simon]

Google has started charging for access to certain YouTube channels this week, adding another layer to its budding paid-for services.

The firm now allows some specialist channel owners to charge viewers monthly or annual fees to watch videos. Monthly fees range between £1.99 and £3.99 a month. Those who opt for a year's full subscription pay between £12.99 and £33.99, depending on the channel.

Google has partnered with 53 channels, though only 33 are available to UK viewers, including independent film network Bigstar Movies, entertainment channel ES.TV and fitness channel iAmplify Yoga.

YouTube is also promising a broader range of paid channels in the near future, though it didn't give a timeline. The initial list of partners is currently skewed towards niche creators, but that could widen out to more mainstream, established networks with the likes of Sesame Street set to roll out their offerings. The firm claimed that the subscription platform comes after its partners demanded "greater flexibility" in making money from their content.

Read more: http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/381670/youtube-begins-charging-for-some-videos#ixzz2T4UHOygm

[Steve]

I don't think I'll be subscribing!

[zappaDPJ]

I don't think I will either but I can't say I won't consider it in the future, it really depends on cost and content. I think ultimately on-demand services are the way to go and if they are price competitive I'd certainly consider taking out a subscription somewhere down the line.

[EDIT] Bandwidth permitting... and that is the main issue to be honest.