Over the past few years we’ve released several new programs and services, like Super Chat and YouTube Premium. These programs give creators more ways to monetize their content. We also announced that we’ll be opening up channel membership to more YouTube creators. These memberships let fans support their favorite creators directly with monthly payments.
To help us focus our resources on improving these programs, we've discontinued paid channel subscriptions and paid content offerings on January 1, 2018. Individual videos purchased (not rented) will be accessible to purchasers until January 1, 2023 per purchase terms.
Some videos that were previously available for purchase are only available to viewers who bought it in the past. On these videos, you’ll see the error message "This video requires payment to watch."
If you see this error message, you can’t watch the video. You can only watch a paid video if you bought it before September 19, 2017. We’re aware of this problem, and are working to fix it.
Here's the timeline for the paid content discontinuation:
- January 1, 2023: Viewers can continue to access individual videos purchased (not rented) until January 1, 2023 per purchase terms.
- On December 1, 2017: Viewers no longer charged for any existing subscriptions.
- September 19, 2017: Creators can no longer add new paid content to YouTube, and new viewers no longer able to pay to subscribe to creator content.
These changes do not apply to YouTube Premium Originals, movies, or TV shows rented/purchased on YouTube, or Live PPV.