YouTube is set to launch a new premium music service called YouTube Music Key. Android Police noted that since last year, there were rumors of a YouTube music service that will let users pay a monthly subscription to access its full library of music and music videos without advertising. In June this year, YouTube had confirmed reports and that it was hard at work on a premium streaming music service that will run parallel with its already more established video site.
As predicted, YouTube Music Key reportedly is offering ad-free video playback, a feature that has the ability to save songs and videos for offline listening, and an audio-only interface, all for under the price of $10 a month. This latest offering pits YouTube against other music streaming giants like Rdio, Spotify, and Google's very own Google Play All Access, which is expected to be rebranded to Google Play Music Key once Music Key is introduced to the market.
The Verge said Music Key's major value proposition to its future customers is said to be that it allows users to gain access to over 20 million songs and videos, including music beyond an artist's official discography. This simply means that users will be able to view special performances, footage from concerts, covers, remixes and other exclusive content all in one artist page.
Meanwhile, the Guardian reported that the debut of Music Key will have users noticed that YouTube's existing recommendation engine will be improved as it will now be based on user listening history. It would still continue making suggestions of what to listen while users watch their favorite videos on the site.
Music Key will be made available through browser, smartphone, and tablet apps and via Google's Chromecast streaming media stick. Android Police said that the subscription fee might already include access to both YouTube Music Key and Google Play Music Key. Official public launch of YouTube Music Key, however is not soon until the disputes with music labels and independent artists have been resolved., the Guardian added.
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