YouTube to charge subscription fee for selected channels

YouTube will introduce a paid subscription service later this week, according to the Daily Caller.

The site currently earns revenue exclusively through advertisements. The subscription fee may remove ads on some of its specialty channels. PCMag.com reports that the change will apply to up to 50 YouTube channels, and will start at $1.99/month per channel.

A spokesperson for Google said the company is looking to bring "even more great content to YouTube," and provide another opportunity for revenue.

Earlier this year, Netflix subscriptions surpassed those of HBO. YouTube has more users than the two combined -- the Daily Caller cites its user number as near one billion.

YouTube would enter the fray should the subscription service become popular. Existing channels include partnerships with BBC and The Onion. Adding a subscription service would provide an opportunity for YouTube to bring in established networks and their shows and further its competition with other Web video hosts.

The Financial Timesreported that channel partners would include Howcast, World Wrestling Entertainment and The Onion.

"We have long maintained that different content requires different types of payment models," said the Google spokesperson.