Youtube joins the subscription based online streaming format, but don’t worry about losing free content.
Youtube has announced a new program: a monthly subscription-based system to access an ad free Youtube, as well as exclusive content. Youtube is also selecting and paying for their top grossing Youtubers to create specific content for Youtube Red, one being a reality show from the producers of The Walking Dead working with Youtuber PewDiePie.
Before shouting from the rooftops about the endtimes, it is important to note that all of Youtube’s current free content will remain free, and content created in the future will also be free. Only content created specifically for Youtube Red will be locked behind the paywall.
Youtube Red will be priced at $9.99 a month, a cost those with Hulu Plus should already be familiar with. Youtube Red is speculated to have been created with the intention of directly competing with similar services, such as Hulu Plus (which currently includes ads with its monthly subscription charge). Coincidentally, the popular ad-blocking extension Adblock was recently purchased by an unknown buyer and is participating in the “Acceptable Ads Program.” Those with the extension may have found themselves stuck watching the occasional advertisement on Youtube, regardless of having Adblock installed.
Simultaneously, Facebook is currently testing their own video feed to directly compete with Youtube, even going as far as to test “video matching technology” to ensure the original content creator is credited and monetized if a video has been reuploaded elsewhere.
Again, no need to preach the end of free internet video. Paid content is optional, and won’t obstruct your viewing of the content you currently watch and expect. The competition is good for the consumer. The high quality content each subscription service will provide will only improve in order to outdo each other, and the extra revenue may trickle down to Youtube content creators not participating in Youtube Red. Free online video content is safe for now.