YouTube has been getting more TV-like with its emphasis on ‘channels’ for a while now, but it seems Google’s video service is ready to take another step forward with the launch of paid subscriptions. According to the Financial Times, up to 50 channels could be going paid, with prices starting at $1.99 per channel per month. YouTube says it’s “looking into creating a subscription platform that could bring even more great content to YouTube” to complement its ad-supported and rental options. The focus would likely be on TV-like channels rather than music – Sesame Street is thought to be one of the first – but there are a number of music-focused multi-channel networks (MCNs) as well as individual artists and labels who’d be interested in the idea too. They may have to get used to a lower revenue-split than they’re used to from digital music though: Billboard claims channel owners may receive “less than 30%” of the subscription income generated by their content.
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Tools: Kaiber
In the year or so since its launch, AI startup Kaiber has been making waves,…