We've been hearing rumblings about a YouTube music subscription service for some time, and now it's official.
YouTube on Wednesday launched Music Key beta, a new monthly subscription service offering ad-free music for $9.99 a month, or $7.99 for a limited time. The service allows for background listening, meaning you'll be able to keep playing music videos when you lock your device's screen or start using another app. You can also mark specific videos for offline playback, so you can keep jamming out even when you lose your Internet connection.
Besides offering access to YouTube music videos, the service includes a subscription to Google Play Music, which has more than 30 million songs and curated playlists. In the coming days, you'll also be able to watch YouTube official music videos right from Google Play Music app.
"Thanks to your music videos, remixes, covers, and more, you've made YouTube the biggest music service on the planet," the YouTube music team wrote in a blog post Wednesday. "To turn YouTube into your perfect music service, we're launching YouTube Music Key as a beta with our biggest music fans first, and then we'll bring YouTube Music Key to the whole world together."
As a result, Music Key is only available by invitation. Those who receive an invite will be able to try it out for six months for free. Head over to the Music Key site to sign up for more information about the beta.
Meanwhile, YouTube has also updated its apps for Android, iOS, and its website with a new section just for music. The section will offer your favorite music videos as well as recommended music playlists based on your interests and what's trending across YouTube.
You can also now listen to full albums on YouTube.
"If a song exists in this world, you can probably find it on YouTube," the team wrote. "But until today you couldn't easily find and play full albums. In the coming days, you'll be able to see an artist's discography on YouTube, and play a full album with both their official music videos and high-quality songs."
Meanwhile on the music streaming front, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek yesterday hit back at assertions that legit services are not doing their part to make sure artists get paid, but pledged to do whatever it takes to make sure both sides are happy. That came after Taylor Swift recently pulled all her music from Spotify over concerns that the company doesn't fairly compensate writers, producers, and artists.
For more on YouTube Music Key beta, check out the video below. Also see Music Should Not Be Free.