Rumor: Youtube Preparing to Launch Subscription Music Service

According to Billboard, Youtube is readying a music streaming service that will be launched very soon. The service will stream both audio and video content on two service tiers. One is free to use while the other operates on paid subscriptions, similar to Spotify and Google Play All Access.

Billboard reported that paying customers will be able to enjoy the content without advertisements. They also get to enjoy the service offline, without the need for an internet connection. For the free service, the subscribers will likely to be able to enjoy the same content, with ads, on all platforms, including supported mobile devices.

Billboard's sources said the paid service is a "soft sell". It allows the company to have more flexibility in packing content for the customers while growing the reach of its service to ultimately sell more ads. Despite this, Youtube has gone on record to deny the existence of this service with the following statement:

We're 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. However, we have nothing to announce at this time.

In May this year, Youtube announced its paid subscription service that is exclusive to residents in the United States. There are no exact launch dates for its alleged music service; however, sources who spoke with The Verge said that it could be launched by the end of the year, to the tune of US$9.99 per month for a paid subscription.

(Source: Billboard, The Verge)

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