Reading in the technology news this morning you will find stories that YouTube may be exploring regular subscription and paid for services for full length movies and television shows. Don’t worry this may not affect your five minute in the spotlight claim to fame video but is more likely to provide a conduit for media and entertainment companies to push out their wares to a broader audience.

 

Current models such as BBC iPlayer, 4oD, Demand Five, and Sky Player have proven consumer interest in accessing television and movie programming, on demand, however all of these require their own services which are typically inconsistent from broadcaster to broadcaster.

A unified model would make sense moving forward and YouTube certainly have the experience and technology to make this a reality however the current YouTube model relies on advertising to make it viable – the trouble with current advertising models online is they often require click through so revenue isn’t guaranteed. Adding a regular subscription or pay as you watch option could make the service even more tempting for providers of media and entertainment.

Further Reading

• Reuters: YouTube looks at subscriptions, more ad dollars
• Guardian: YouTube considering subscription fees
• Independent: YouTube may show films and TV programmes – but at a price
• Telegraph: Sky pulls out of YouTube talks with Google
• ZDNet UK: YouTube may add paid-for TV shows and films
• T3: YouTube set to offer paid subscription service
• PC Pro: YouTube considering subscription fees