YouTube’s Music Subscription Service Won’t Arrive Until 2014

As it turns out, YouTube’s streaming music subscription service won’t arrive this year after all. Even though the Spotify-like platform had previously been rumored for a 2013 release and showed up in the code of the most recent YouTube mobile app update, AllThingD is now reporting that the service will be delayed until 2014 because YouTube are unsatisfied with the current product.

The report cites “people familiar with the company’s plan,” who noted that YouTube is now planning to release its new music service, which may be titled ‘Music Pass’, in Q1 of 2014. The main cause of the delay is a technical one; YouTube’s team has secured all the licenses it needs, but there are concerns about the app itself.

Cover songs, mashups, and lipsyncs, all popular on YouTube, are also reportedly causing problems for the service’s developers. They need to figure out how to properly integrate those offerings while also appeasing the original rights holders and preventing potential legal action.

Consider it a false start for Music Pass. While it would have been a nice addition this holiday season, it’s hard to blame YouTube for holding back–especially when some of its most-hyped developments haven’t quite turned out as planned.

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