YouTube ready for primetime with a third-party subscription streaming offer
Platform working with the likes of Paramount+, Starz, AMC+, Showtime and ViX+.
Youtube’s deal with Paramount means US viewers will be able to catch the new Star Trek on the platform / Paramount
YouTube will play host to third-party subscription streaming services for the first time in the US as the video portal diversifies away from user and creator-generated content and towards primetime.
Having abandoned efforts to curate scripted original programming such as Cobra Kai (now a Netflix title), the platform is instead working with the likes of Paramount+, Starz, AMC+, Showtime and ViX+ to showcase their premium wares.
Primetime Channels will bring together a range of commissioned content including Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Interview with a Vampire and Dangerous Liaisons, in return for a monthly fee.
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Importantly, subscription content will be seamlessly incorporated within the standard YouTube experience, showing up alongside free-to-view material among recommendations for native YouTube videos.
Announcing the content push, YouTube director of product management Erin Teague wrote in a blog post: ”People already come to YouTube to watch trailers for highly anticipated movies, or clips of scenes from their favorite TV episodes. Now you can continue watching directly on YouTube. And you will continue to have choice and control over your accounts with the ability to manage all of them in one place.”
The provision of more high-quality content will reinforce YouTube’s existing purchase and rental offers for the latest films and TV shows, ensuring the platform keeps up to speed with its competition in an increasingly cutthroat streaming environment.