YouTube Considering an Ad-Free, Subscription-Based Version

Walking The Walk writes YouTube is looking at creating a paid-subscription model that would allow users to skip the ads on their videos. (A more condensed summary from CBC.) No firm date has been announced, and it sounds like tentative steps right now, but YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki did mention that ad-enabled music videos would still be offered.

Comments

Ad free...until they reach critical mass

[xxxJonBoyxxx]

>> I'd happily pay a higher monthly fee not to have the ads

You must be new to the planet. Remember when the promise of cable TV was "you pay for it, so it's ad-free!" Once YouTube has a critical population writing monthly checks for content, they'll surely add the ads back in.

Price needs to be realistic (low)

[timmyf2371]

For this to work and reach a mass market, the price needs to be (i) realistic and (ii) generate an impulse purchase.

There are too many subscription services out there; everyone wants their £5 per month or £7.99 per month or £9.99 per month, and it all adds up. I think an ad-free YouTube at £1.99 per month would entice a lot of people. Any more would probably not be worth it.

BTW, Adblock is great and I love it. But it doesn't stop the adverts which sometimes play before a video when I'm using the YouTube app on my iPhone.