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The shift in strategy means that starting in
2020, a YouTube Premium subscription will no longer be the only
way to watch most original programs, with all users having some
access.
YouTube's paid option will still remove ads from originals as
well as all other videos, and it comes with music streaming
privileges.
YouTube said earlier on Tuesday that the new strategy will kick
in next year, but later noted that though it will apply to
content planned in 2019, the actual programing will debut the
year after.
YouTube has not disclosed the total number of subscribers for
the paid offering, launched three years ago, which is available
in 29 countries.
It said its move to make programing free was aimed at satisfying
growing international user interest in original programing and
advertiser demand to associate with special content. The move
also gives the company more flexibility in marketing its
programs.
Some future programing or behind-the-scenes content may remain
exclusive to subscribers, if only for a brief time, a person
familiar with the thinking said.
YouTube Premium costs about $12 a month in the United States.
The dozens of previously released shows and movies in YouTube
Premium, such as the first season of popular action comedy
"Cobra Kai," will remain behind the paywall, the company said.
(Reporting by Paresh Dave; Editing by David Gregorio and Michael
Perry)
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