YouTube viewers to get skip-ads option

10 Apr 2015

YouTube viewers will soon get the option to  skip ads by paying a monthly fee.

The online video service on Wednesday, sent a letter to its most-popular content creators asking them to sign on new contract terms to allow for the change, AP reported.

It was not clear when the option would be offered or the amount of that users would be required to pay.

A YouTube spokeswoman said in a statement, "Giving fans more choice to enjoy the content they love and creators more opportunity to earn revenue are always amongst our top priorities."

YouTube first offered pay channels in May 2013 and also launched a paid subscription, ad-free music service called Music Key to select participants in November.

The moves formed part of a strategy to diversify its revenues, although advertising remained its core.

YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki said at a media conference in October, ad-free subscriptions represented an "interesting model" and that the service was exploring ways to give its users options.