According to Billboard, YouTube has plans to launch its own paid subscription music service that is similar to Spotify.
The service, which is yet to be named, will be designed for mobile users in mind, and will have a “free component” with ads, and a “premium tier” without ads.
“The free tier is likely to be unlimited, on-demand access to full tracks on all platforms, including mobile, said several people who have been briefed on the proposed service,” wrote Billboard. “In that sense, the paid tier is more of a ‘soft sell’ as YouTube’s primary goal is to continue to amass ears and eyes to its mobile platform to sell ads.”
When asked about its plans, YouTube commented: “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.”
Billboard added that the new service is expected to “coincide with a larger redesign of the YouTube mobile app that would give users a simple, clean interface in which to listen to music, create custom playlists and watch videos at the same time”.
Would you try out YouTube’s music service when it’s released?
[via Billboard]