YouTube moves to create new exclusive shows and free movies for users

By Paresh Dave

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – YouTube, a video-casting unit of Google Alphabet Inc., will allow users free access to future original programming. seeks a larger audience for programs and films that were primarily for paying subscribers.

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This change in strategy means that starting in 2020, a YouTube Premium subscription will no longer be the only way to watch most of the original programs, all users with access to them.

YouTube's paid option will always delete original ads and all other videos, and has music streaming privileges.

YouTube announced on Tuesday earlier that the new strategy would come into force next year, but said that although it will apply to the planned content in 2019, the actual programming will debut the next year. Next year.

YouTube has not revealed the total number of subscribers to the paid offer, launched three years ago, available in 29 countries.

The decision to make free programming aimed to satisfy the growing interest of international users for original programming and the demand of advertisers to associate special content. The move also gives the company more flexibility in marketing its programs.

Some future shows or behind-the-scenes content may remain exclusive to subscribers, if only for a brief moment, a person familiar with the thought has said.

In the United States, YouTube Premium costs around $ 12 a month.

The dozens of shows and movies previously published in YouTube Premium, such as the first season of the popular comedy action "Cobra Kai", will remain behind the payment wall, the company said.

(Report by Dave Dave, edited by David Gregorio and Michael Perry)