YouTube will reportedly introduce paid subscriptions this spring

Google (GOOG) is said to be preparing paid subscription options for individual channels on YouTube, according to a report from AdAge. In its latest attempt to compete with traditional television, the company will reportedly allow a small group of producers to create channels that users will only be able to view if they pay a monthly fee. The first paid channels are said to cost somewhere between $1 and $5 each month. Google is also interested in offering content on an episodic basis and special pay-per-view events. Sources speaking to AdAge suggest that Google will introduce paid channels as early as the second quarter of this year.