Google’s latest attack on TV: Paid YouTube channels launch today
Google on Thursday announced the launch of a pilot program that will allow a select group of YouTube partners to charge users a subscription fee to access their content. Companies like Sesame Street will be offering full episodes on their paid channels, while UFC plans to give users access to classic fights. Premium content can be accessed for free with a 14-day trial, after which a subscription will be required. Google noted that fees will begin at $0.99 per month, though many providers will offer discounted yearly rates. After subscribing to a channel, users can access it from a computer, phone, tablet or a smart TV. Paid channels will be available today for select partners and will be available as a self-service feature for “qualifying partners” in the coming weeks.
Google has long been rumored to be developing a high-end smartphone, codenamed the X Phone, in collaboration with its Motorola division that would be designed to push the boundaries of mobile innovation. New information suggests, however, that the company has abandoned the project because it could not achieve the level of innovation it had originally hoped for. The report comes from Chinese analyst Sun Changxu, who noted that the project has not been cancelled and instead is now being developed solely by Motorola. This could result in a device that doesn’t include the tight Google integration or stock version of Android earlier reports had indicated. While it was first reported that the X Phone would debut later this month at Google’s annual I/O Developers Conference, the latest rumors suggest the device will be announced later this year.
