YouTube to try out paid channel subscriptions, says AdAge

(Credit: Screenshot by Lance Whitney/CNET)

Would you pay to watch a YouTube channel?

The company is aiming to introduce paid channel subscriptions this year, according to a story out today from AdAge.

Citing "multiple people familiar with the plans," AdAge reports that YouTube has already talked to a small selection of producers about developing channels that would require a fee. The first such channels would reportedly cost users between $1 and $5 a month, according to two of the sources.

The paid channels would likely be created by large media outfits, such as Machinima, Maker Studios, and Fullscreen, whose current channels have already drawn in YouTube users. But YouTube is also looking beyond its current roster of providers to find new producers.

Further, YouTube is eyeing a plan to charge for other items, including entire libraries of videos, live events, and even self-help or financial advice shows, AdAge said.

Slated to launch as early as next quarter, according to the sources, the paid channels would initially be seen as an experiment, with just 25 or so to start.

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by Lance Whitney via CNET