YouTube plans to launch a 'channel store' for streaming services
YouTube has been working on an online store where you can buy subscriptions for various streaming services, according to The Wall Street Journal. The Google-owned video streaming platform has reportedly been developing a "channel store" for at least 18 months and is currently in talks with potential corporate partners. YouTube already offers its $65-per-month streaming TV subscribers the ability to add access to additional services like HBO Max. However, the upcoming store will apparently offer people a way to purchase pay-per-view streaming services from the main YouTube app.
The Journal reports that YouTube touts its platform as a great way for companies to market their streaming services, since viewers can watch trailers for free on its website or its application, then easily pay for a subscription. Partner companies will likely have to share revenue with YouTube for purchases made on the video platform. YouTube, the post says, is already discussing how to share subscription revenue with them, although the terms vary for each partner.
Even with the prospect of having to share revenue with partners, more and more streaming services are now open to the idea of banding together or partnering up. Starz CEO Jeffrey Hirsch told The Journal that bundling streaming services with other players creates a better experience for users. Also, it puts the providers' offer in front of more people and makes subscribers less likely to cancel. In YouTube's case, the app is already widely used and could provide paid users with a single platform to manage multiple subscriptions. For streaming providers, making their services more readily available could help them survive what analysts say will be a difficult year marked by the loss of significant numbers of users.
YouTube's channel store could launch as early as fall this year, although it has yet to confirm the project exists and is already in talks with potential partners.
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
YouTube has been working on an online store where you can buy subscriptions for various streaming services, according to The Wall Street Journal. The Google-owned video streaming platform has reportedly been developing a "channel store" for at least 18 months and is currently in talks with potential corporate partners. YouTube already offers its $65-per-month streaming TV subscribers the ability to add access to additional services like HBO Max. However, the upcoming store will apparently offer people a way to purchase pay-per-view streaming services from the main YouTube app.
The Journal reports that YouTube touts its platform as a great way for companies to market their streaming services, since viewers can watch trailers for free on its website or its application, then easily pay for a subscription. Partner companies will likely have to share revenue with YouTube for purchases made on the video platform. YouTube, the post says, is already discussing how to share subscription revenue with them, although the terms vary for each partner.
Even with the prospect of having to share revenue with partners, more and more streaming services are now open to the idea of banding together or partnering up. Starz CEO Jeffrey Hirsch told The Journal that bundling streaming services with other players creates a better experience for users. Also, it puts the providers' offer in front of more people and makes subscribers less likely to cancel. In YouTube's case, the app is already widely used and could provide paid users with a single platform to manage multiple subscriptions. For streaming providers, making their services more readily available could help them survive what analysts say will be a difficult year marked by the loss of significant numbers of users.
YouTube's channel store could launch as early as fall this year, although it has yet to confirm the project exists and is already in talks with potential partners.
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
What's Your Reaction?
