YouTube's subscription service is having an identity crisis. CEO Susan Wojcicki described YouTube Red as a music streaming business, while other executives have said it's a premium film and TV streaming product to rival Netflix. The company has been trying for years to find its footing in the video space, but it still hasn't figured out how best to monetize it. Numbers are expected to increase this year, though, as the service expands from the US, Mexico, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand to more than 100 countries.
YouTube's subscription service is having an identity crisis. CEO Susan Wojcicki described YouTube Red as a music streaming business, while other executives have said it's a premium film and TV streaming product to rival Netflix. Revenue growth has been slow – five media executives have said subscriptions are small compared with the money they can make from advertising. Numbers are expected to increase this year, though, as the service expands from the US, Mexico, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand to more than 100 countries.