YouTube Steps it Up: Pay to Watch Channels

YouTube has initiated a new scheme that would certainly benefit not only the website itself but also the content makers. According to reports, YouTube has already launched a trial course wherein content makers can charge a minimum of $0.99 in order for subscribers to gain access to their channels. According to YouTube executives, the trial program was launched so that content creators can gain some income considering the time and effort they put on their output that can only be described as works of sheer ingenuity.

Paid channels to choose from

The channels being included in the list are those that can also be seen on cable television, as well as other websites offering online TV subscription. According to expert opinion, YouTube has always been headed toward this path and perhaps now is the right time to make this happen.

YouTube’s inclusion of fees for subscribing to channels aims not only to give creators some revenue from the work that they are doing. This is also a huge opportunity to add in more content to what it actually has at the moment.

Nat Geo Kids, Acorn, and more

The trial program that was just launched included 53 channels. One of the most popular channels that have tons of viewers is “National Geographic Kids.” “Acorn,” a popular channel where British Television series are shown is also included in the list. Another popular channel which subscribers can view at a low fee is “Fix My Hog Premium.” This channel is primarily for motorcycle lovers especially those who are into Harley Davidson’s.

For now, the list of channels that YouTube has launched is not absolute. According to YouTube creators, there will be more channels in the weeks to come.

A life-changer

YouTube has been around for quite some time now. It was acquired by Google in 2006 and since then it became more popular than it was before. YouTube has been a key tool in the discovery of a number of world-famous recording artists and musicians. Talents all over the world have sprung from nowhere through his free-to-watch online site. These individuals have gotten not only the attention that they crave for but also the fame they have always dreamed of.

One of the most popular YouTube celebrities is the “Gangnam Style” South Korean rapper PSY who became an instant celebrity due more than a billion views that his video earned in YouTube. According to reports, PSY has earned approximately $8 million from his Gangnam Style YouTube video alone.

The television era is hanging by a thread

This bold yet smart move of YouTube has demoted the use of television down a notch. According to Google executive Eric Schmidt, YouTube had already surpassed the television era in terms of viewing audience volume.

It may seem true that television is being pushed aside, but it will not completely disappear, according to the Digital TV Research. Their surveys and research clearly indicated that the TV business is not on the brink of extinction, most especially in the Asia-Pacific region. The numbers and data they have gathered sufficiently prove that there will still be growth in the TV industry especially in countries like China, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines.

Photo Credit: YouTube Logo