YouTube to terminate paid content services in December

YouTube has announced that it will pull the plug on its paid channel services, and focus on sponsorships. Currently, YouTube Gaming follows this model.

Paid channel services introduced in 2013 in YouTube, will now come to an end in December.

According to commentators, the move will introduce a new mode of monetisation, through sponsorship. In this method, the creators ask for sponsorship, which includes selling of digital goods from the creator side, which would be sold via a digital channel. Fans can also lend support by offering a monthly $4.99 donation. The sponsorship would be a voluntary effort and sponsors will also get sponsor benefits.

For instance, players streaming on YouTube Gaming could get benefits, which would include immunity from slow mode, access to sponsor chat, custom badges or emojis. The idea had been under testing by YouTube in games like Rocket Beans and Game Attack.

The testing of the feature will get underway in non-gaming channels as well. With this, according to the YouTube blogpost, it intends to focus on YouTube Red and Super Chat.

YouTube's foray into sponsorship in non-gaming content comes at a time when streaming services like Netflix, Amazon are focused on subscriptions.

The site detailed its shuttering schedule on its creator resource page, which on Tuesday, blocked users from creating new paid content on its site.

Also, at the same time, new viewers have been blocked from paying to subscribe to creator content. The company, however, said existing paid channels or videos will continue to show until the discontinuation date.

From 1 November, viewers would not be charged for existing subscriptions, and YouTube said it will be sending subscribers of paid content an email notification a month prior to them being switched off.

By 1 December 2017, all paid content will automatically be made private.

"You have full control over keeping these videos private or making them public (as free videos to watch)," the statement reads.