YouTube starts charging users subscription fees to view content

YouTube turned seven back in March, at which time itboasted its advertisers include all of the Ad Age Top 100 brands. While commercials are YouTube's bread and butter, the video streaming service is now introducing paid channels in a bid to make additional profit from its one billion monthly users.
There are more than one million channels on YouTube, but the company says creators have been demanding more flexibility to monetise and distribute content, thus paid channels has launched in beta.
YouTube, said: "Starting today, we’re launching a pilot program for a small group of partners that will offer paid channels on YouTube with subscription fees starting at $0.99 per month. Every channel has a 14-day free trial, and many offer discounted yearly rates. For example, Sesame Street will be offering full episodes on their paid channel when it launches. And UFC fans can see classic fights, like a full version of their first event from UFC’s new channel.
"You might run into more of these channels across YouTube, or look here for a list of pilot channels. Once you subscribe from a computer, you’ll be able to watch paid channels on your computer, phone, tablet and TV, and soon you’ll be able to subscribe to them from more devices."
More paid channels will roll out in the next few weeks, and will be available to 'qualifying partners' as a self-service option.

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