Comments for Paid Downloads are Coming to YouTube

Paid Downloads are Coming to YouTube

2009-02-12T17:41:10Z

Alex Chitu spotted a new 'purchases' section in his YouTube account today and YouTube just made it official: YouTube's partners can now offer their videos for paid downloads. While Google has always given its partners the option to offer downloads of their videos under the Creative Commons license, some of Google's partners will now also be able to charge for their videos.

]]> YouTube is currently calling this a 'test,' and only a select sub-set of YouTube partners will be allowed to charge for downloads at first, but we assume that if this test is successful, Google will allow all of its partners to charge for downloads.

It's no secret that Google has been struggling to find effective ways to monetize YouTube. The announcement did not mention how much of a cut Google is planning to take from the purchase prices, but chances are that the company is hoping to generate at least some income through this new initiative.

The videos we have found so far were typically available for around $1. Downloads will only be available as MP4 files.

Google is also using this as an opportunity to promote its Google Checkout product, as it is the only way to actually purchase a video.

Will There Be Enough Demand?

As MG Siegler points out, it is not clear if there will be a lot of a demand for downloadable videos on YouTube. And while that is probably true for most of the content on the site right now, this might change if Google manages to get more TV shows and movie studios to feature their content on the site. At that point, downloadable content might actually become interesting.

Comment from Max on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T18:55:46Z

keepvid.com = free video downloads.

Just saying...

Comment from Kevin on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T19:15:30Z

What the heck took them so long? The economy must be pretty bad when the guys at Google are finally implementing new ways to monetize YouTube :)

Comment from theharmonyguy on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T20:55:46Z

@Max: Yeah, that was my first thought. This is kind of ironic considering it's not hard to get the MP4 files already.

Comment from vidiSEO on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T22:43:23Z

I couldn't agree more that this new download option is somewhat pointless unless YouTube offers more premium content.

YouTube should consider offering premium content using the same model lala.com does for music. They allow a user to listen to any song once for free. After that they can pay 10 cents to listen to the track online (unlimited listens) or 89 cents to download it.

I think this model would work amazingly for television shows and other types of premium content (like tutorials).

Comment from Kuba on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T23:12:52Z

I was thinking the same exact thing as Max.

Unless they make it that you have to pay for videos to watch them at all, this won't work out as they planned.

Comment from br0ck0bama on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T23:15:52Z

You can't stop us!
We will download it for free!

Comment from Sherrie Rose (The Love Linguist) on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T23:23:28Z

Perry,

This was coming for some time. All enterprises must make money, YouTube included.

Since syndicated and copyrighted content is on YouTube this makes it "legal" to get a copy. Yes, the pirates will take whatever they want without paying.

Can't say I like that Google Checkout is the only choice for payment. Google already has so much data.

I have videos of my course in the membership area of my site based on my book: www.TheManClassSeries.com. This may be an opportunity to put some of this content up on YouTube. I'll have to think about it.

That's my .99 opinion.

Sherrie Rose
The Love Linguist

Comment from JOhn Thomas on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T23:27:23Z

Wow that is some cool stuff dude!

RT
www.anon-tools.us.tc

Comment from lemon obrien on 2009-02-12

2009-02-13T00:31:54Z

check out our VERY RAW AND NEW site... umakeitcool.com

every time someone buys a file, they'll get to spread the wealth by giving money to a friend; artist set the price, and collect royalties.

instead of just videos, it's anything; all media.

let the games begin.

Comment from cynrab on 2009-02-12

2009-02-13T03:17:44Z

For those who have vid on youtube great opportunity for some pocket money. We can also earn have or goodle adsense on our youtube too.

Comment from Matt on 2009-02-13

2009-02-13T12:35:53Z

You can easily download videos from youtube for free, so its pointless

Comment from Eric on 2009-02-13

2009-02-13T15:36:08Z

As long as YouTube remains browser-based, there will always be ways to circumvent that. Firefox extensions, Greasemonkey scripts, etc.

Comment from Marat on 2009-02-13

2009-02-13T16:06:31Z

They're working on making videos non-downloadable thru third parties. Like hulu.com or joost.com, you cant download from there.

Comment from hagn on 2009-02-13

2009-02-13T17:15:14Z

Since syndicated and copyrighted content is on YouTube this makes it "legal" to get a copy. Yes, the pirates will take whatever they want without paying.
muhabbet mIRC

Comment from ikinci el eşya on 2009-02-13

2009-02-13T18:39:25Z

thanks ..

Comment from blah on 2009-02-13

2009-02-13T22:46:38Z

ok, fine, if they wanna charge for some stuff ok

but like lets say its a tv show episode released by the company who owns the rights to it, if im paying them to watch this crap, it better be high res 720p MINIMUM, considering Stage6 used to stream high res content for free...

if i gotta pay for it, it better not be garbage youtube standard ultra low res streaming video crap quality

Comment from The Internet on 2009-02-13

2009-02-13T23:00:31Z

It saddens me to see that Google is starting to stop its unique stance on protecting Youtube from US copyright laws.

This is probably the first steps in turning it from an anarchic playground to a saccharine corporate controlled environment. I'd rather have the friendly geniality of Google's Big Brother persona than to smile for the wrecking ball that consists of many obsolete corporations (hello RIAA!) still struggling to turn a time in an age that no longer needs them.

Comment from Junaid Atari on 2009-02-14

2009-02-14T08:08:01Z

Owww...

Will Google sale the Free Videos in 0.99$? amazing... ;))

Comment from Aroll on 2009-02-14

2009-02-15T00:30:08Z

Meh, it's based on the statistics that most of people who watch YouTube use Internet Explorer (no wonderful Firefox addons to download videos), so, it can generate some money.

Comment from YouonPictures on 2009-02-14

2009-02-15T03:31:44Z

eh.. why pay.. i think i will stick with my Save2pc Pro... then i can download any video and convert it to any format! =P

Comment from Anita CM on 2009-02-16

2009-02-16T11:27:20Z

Techcrunch's Youtube download tool isn't working anymore.It seems YouTube is actively blocking third party tools and websites to promote its own downloading tool...

Comment from Mike on 2009-02-18

2009-02-18T22:27:46Z

My YouTube downloader Quivic still works for me... www.quivic.com

Comment from Ben Young on 2009-02-21

2009-02-22T04:11:47Z

Pay to download is a step in the right direction, when is pay to view coming?

You could allow anyone anywhere to sell their video content on YouTube, imagine the possibilities!

Comment from akrep on 2009-02-27

2009-02-27T13:15:18Z

Will Google sale the Free Videos in 0.99$? amazing..

Thanks

Comment from dj.andre on 2009-02-27

2009-02-28T01:31:53Z

well that´s it then,... bye bye youtube... hello metacafe or any other,.. probably russian platform to make their cash just by presenting the vids.

youtube,.. it was nice, but it´s tine to say good-bye

andy

Comment from pamy on 2009-03-23

2009-03-24T01:24:06Z

Yes "U" can Download Youtube Vidoes.I found a Website

http://startube.mobi

You can Search and Download YOutube Videos ITs 100%free.

NO SOFTWARE NEEDED. just click the video its will be downloaded.

You can download in Many FORMATS like 3Gp for MobilePhone, Mp4 for iPhone and iPod and FLV for pc.

Comment from willy on 2009-06-07

2009-06-07T18:07:13Z

Try this website http://tubezen.com , its 100% Free and Userfriendly. You can Download by Pasting the Url of Youtube video link (or) Search and Download Youtube.

Comment from mirc on 2009-06-14

2009-06-14T16:28:02Z

You could allow anyone anywhere to sell their video content on YouTube, imagine the possibilities!

Comment from sohbet on 2009-06-14

2009-06-14T16:29:40Z

youtube,.. it was nice, but it´s tine to say good-bye

andy

Comment from getvideo on 2009-06-17

2009-06-17T10:44:36Z

You can download youtube video at http://getvideo.comxa.com.
It supports HD version.

Comment from kelebek on 2009-06-17

2009-06-17T17:40:49Z

thank you very much

Comment from Türkçe Rap on 2009-09-25

2009-09-25T21:53:22Z

Thank you. my job worked.
good work.

Comment from Orange Krush on 2009-10-11

2009-10-11T20:17:18Z

Check out www.liquid-mailer.net, this site it has a blazing fast proxy, fake emailer for sending emails from any account, and a youtube video downloader all free of charge!

Comment from Chat odaları on 2009-10-15

2009-10-15T20:11:41Z

Check out www.liquid-mailer.net, this site it has a blazing fast proxy, fake emailer for sending emails from any account, and a youtube video downloader all free of charge.