YouTube plans paid music service against Spotify, Rdio, Rhapsody
28 Oct 2013 4:44 AM IST
Google’s video-sharing arm YouTube is preparing to launch a paid music service this year competing against other streaming outlets, with the added feature of video, media reports have said. The New York Times has reported that the service designed for mobile devices would cost around $10 a month for an ad-free service and would compete with services such as Spotify, Rdio and Rhapsody.
The report said that the deal would allow record companies to get bigger royalty payments than they currently get from free services. Billboard first reported that the music service would be modeled on Google’s All Access subscription service, which too is $10 per month.
Billboard said that a paid service would give YouTube more flexibility in packaging and selling music with fewer restrictions. It also said a premium service could be paired with other Google products in the future, including Google Glass. Creating a paid service would help YouTube move away from the sharing of free music videos, which are often removed for copyright violations.
A YouTube spokesman declined to comment on the specific reports but said, ‘We are always working on new and better ways for people to enjoy YouTube content across all screens, and on giving partners more opportunities to reach their fans. But we have nothing to announce at this time.’
Billboard reported that YouTube was likely to offer a free ad-supported service, as well as the paid service, which would be without advertising. One possibility for YouTube could be the ability to stream full albums, which are not usually available because artists generally select one or two tracks from any single album to feature in a music video.
The music publication said YouTube is in the process of a larger redesign of the YouTube mobile app that would offer a cleaner interface for music and playlists.
Recently, a new track from boy band One Direction was leaked on YouTube much before its release. Diana is said to be dedicated to the group’s fans as a mark of appreciation, reported Digital Spy. The song was rumoured to be 1D’s third single and was likely to appear on their forthcoming album, Midnight Memories.
‘Diana, let me be the one to light a fire inside those eyes, you look lonely, you don’t even know me, but I can feel you crying,’ the five-piece sing. The grainy recording has been pulled from YouTube several times but repeated uploads continued to appear. Midnight Memories was due for release on November 25.
The report said that the deal would allow record companies to get bigger royalty payments than they currently get from free services. Billboard first reported that the music service would be modeled on Google’s All Access subscription service, which too is $10 per month.
Billboard said that a paid service would give YouTube more flexibility in packaging and selling music with fewer restrictions. It also said a premium service could be paired with other Google products in the future, including Google Glass. Creating a paid service would help YouTube move away from the sharing of free music videos, which are often removed for copyright violations.
A YouTube spokesman declined to comment on the specific reports but said, ‘We are always working on new and better ways for people to enjoy YouTube content across all screens, and on giving partners more opportunities to reach their fans. But we have nothing to announce at this time.’
Billboard reported that YouTube was likely to offer a free ad-supported service, as well as the paid service, which would be without advertising. One possibility for YouTube could be the ability to stream full albums, which are not usually available because artists generally select one or two tracks from any single album to feature in a music video.
The music publication said YouTube is in the process of a larger redesign of the YouTube mobile app that would offer a cleaner interface for music and playlists.
Recently, a new track from boy band One Direction was leaked on YouTube much before its release. Diana is said to be dedicated to the group’s fans as a mark of appreciation, reported Digital Spy. The song was rumoured to be 1D’s third single and was likely to appear on their forthcoming album, Midnight Memories.
‘Diana, let me be the one to light a fire inside those eyes, you look lonely, you don’t even know me, but I can feel you crying,’ the five-piece sing. The grainy recording has been pulled from YouTube several times but repeated uploads continued to appear. Midnight Memories was due for release on November 25.
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