YouTube extends pay-channel scheme

YouTube is opening up monthly subscription options to channel owners that have 10,000 or more channel subscribers. 

The video site first introduced premium pay channels to YouTube in May, piloting the scheme with 53 initial participant networks.

Now YouTube says it has taken “the next step” in allowing users to monetise their content, with users able to add subscriptions in the 10 countries where the scheme is already running, as well as, from this week, Mexico. YouTube said more countries would launch in the coming months.

The initial pay-channels scheme launched with participation from firms including The Jim Henson Company, DHX Media and US gay TV network Here TV, with subscription fees starting from US$0.99 per-month.