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YouTube users may soon have to pay to watch videos.

The website is to launch a subscription service this week, charging users to view content on some of its specialist channels.

Access to a single channel is expected to cost £1.28 a month and will apply to as many as 50 with exclusive videos, TV shows and films.

Paying may also remove ads from free videos.

Last year the site, owned by Google, launched 60 partner channels, including BBC Worldwide On Earth, ITN, Mixmag TV and the Jamie Oliver Food Channel.

Other partners include Channel 4 and Film 4, The Onion and Howcast.

It is not yet known which of these will be on subscription.

A source revealed the channels would show archived content or exclusive previews and clips.

The subscription money is also expected to fund new TV and film shows to be seen exclusively online.