YouTube confirms that it's making original content, which includes series, movies, and events, completely free for everyone after Sept. 24, 2019.
The announcement is part of the changes the company is planning to roll out on the YouTube Premium membership.
YouTube Originals
According to the YouTube report, YouTube Originals will soon offer its content as ad-supported programming. All of the company's original series, movies and live events released from Sept. 24 onward will be available to non-paying members.
Content released before this cut off will still be behind the paywall, but it's still wonderful news to non-subscribers who can look forward to a slew of quality Originals, such as the third season of highly-acclaimed series Cobra Kai.
YouTube Premium subscribers will still enjoy a more comprehensive and seamless viewing experience with no ads, downloadable content, and exclusive bonuses, such as director's cuts and extra scenes. Premium members will also get access to episodes as soon as they premiere, while regular YouTube users will have to wait for a later release.
According to Engadget, the company also recently released new features to YouTube Premium, including a section for recommended programs and the automatic download of up to 500 songs from Liked Songs and playlists. Subscribers now have the ability to simply tap a button to switch from a song to a music video and vice versa.
More Of YouTube's Plans
Back in May 2019, YouTube revealed its plans for their future content, which included the plans to make Originals accessible to non-paying subscribers.
Other plans include more music-related live streams, not just of Coachella, but also of another major festival Lollapalooza. Along with curated live streams, YouTube will also stream custom content on various artists performing at the music festival.
YouTube is also improving the P-Score algorithm of Google Preferred, which is a program aggregating the top content on the website so that advertisers can place their ads on the highest performing videos available.
YouTube Scraps More Scripted Programs
For months, there have been reports of YouTube deciding not to focus on original scripted programming after the company canceled a few programs earlier in 2019.
Now, Deadline reports that YouTube will not be producing new seasons for two of its popular original scripted programs Step Up: High Water, and Wayne. Pilots for Dark Cargo and It's a Man's World will also not be pushing through.
Only three scripted series remain with YouTube: Cobra Kai, Liza On Demand, and Impulse.
