YouTube Music Key

The subscription-based video on demand market could see a significant shake-up this year as it was reported that YouTube has started to negotiate licensing deals for its own service to compete with services like Netflix and Hulu.

Variety quoted an unnamed YouTube partner as saying that the company not only wanted to discuss a licensing deal, but was extremely aggressive in its approach.

An exec at one YouTube partner says reps from the vidsite reached out late last year about an SVOD licensing deal. But the offer came with a warning: If the partner didn’t agree to the terms of the subscription service, it would be excluded from any future ad revenue — a tactic YouTube has used in dealing with independent music companies that refused to get onboard with Music Key.

This is the same approach YouTube was said to have taken to persuade independent music labels to sign-up for the company’s subscription music service … 
Expand
Expanding
Close

YouTube appears to be experimenting with a new feature dubbed “YouTube Radio” that expands on its current “YouTube Mix” playlist feature to offer non-stop radio station based on the currently playing video (via Google Operating System).

The feature, as pictured above, is described as “a non-stop radio station based on the current video.” Users will be able to customize the experience somewhat with options to “like, dislike and dismiss videos to tailor your Radio Station to your taste.”
Expand
Expanding
Close

With Google-owned YouTube recently launching its own streaming music platform, it seems that Google is poised to provide a solid challenge to others in the streaming space, like Apple’s iTunes Radio and Beats Music services.

Now the market is about to get a little more crowded as an even newer competitor prepares to enter the fray. Audio hardware manufacturer Bose is reportedly planning to launch a direct competitor to Google’s streaming services. The information comes from a job listing posted by the speaker manufacturer.

The listing states in no uncertain terms that…