YouTube is slowly finding other means to earn revenue apart
from its traditional pre-roll ad-delivery system. The Google-owned video
streaming service is already offering paid subscriptions since May of last year
for videos, but this week, it’s expanding its paid-subscription service into
music with Music Key.
Just like its main competitor – Spotify, Music Key will
eliminate ads in a user’s playlist and allows for background music playback,
offline music and endless playlists. Those who are subscribed to Google Play
Music will automatically get free passes to Music Key. The service will also
make music recommendations based on what a user listens to on YouTube.
Unfortunately, Music Key is currently on a beta invite-only
stage in certain countries including the United States, Spain, Italy, Portugal,
Finland and the UK. Subscription fee is at $10 per month for the said markets with
an international launch slated next year.
