Google’s music streaming service YouTube said on Tuesday that it plans to launch a paid streaming music service, amid criticism that its existing, free video website might block the music videos of labels that do not agree to its terms.
YouTube has partnered with “hundreds of major and independent” music labels for the new service, the company said in a statement, confirming long-running rumours that the world’s most popular online video website will offer a paid music service.
The news comes as some music trade groups have criticized YouTube’s plans to potentially block the content of certain labels from appearing on YouTube’s free, ad-supported website unless they sign deals to participate in the new, subscription streaming music service.
