YouTube, which has been building a partner program since 2007 that enables content creators to earn revenue for their creativity, has announced that it has launched a pilot programme offering paid subscriptions for channels.

The programme, launched on May 9, will begin with a small group of YouTube’s partners, offering paid channels on the online video sharing platform with subscription fees as low as USD$0.99 per month. In addition, every channel on the online platform will be given the option to go on a 14-day free trial, and many offer discounted yearly rates. Sesame Street’s YouTube channel is set to offer full episodes on their paid channel once launched. Other paid channels to be included in the pilot programme include Acorn TV, National Geographic Kids, Comedy.TV and UFC Select. Currently, the paid channels will be available for viewing on phones, tablets, TV and online.

                                                                                                                              
YouTube will be rolling paid channels out more broadly in the coming weeks as a self-service feature for qualifying partners.