YouTube to block music video access in UK

YouTube to block music video access in UK

YouTube has said that they would have to block access to all music videos to British users.

The Google owned video sharing service failed to reach an agreement with the PRS for Music which collects royalties on behalf of nearly 50,000 composers.

Google said that the UK based society was asking for too much revenue per playback and they would not be able to comply with the demands.

Google detailed in a blog post about this new development: “The costs are simply prohibitive for us — under PRS’s proposed terms, we would lose significant amounts of money with every playback.”

PRS for Music Chief Executive Steve Porter had this to say when he was contacted for feedback: “We were shocked and disappointed to receive a call late this afternoon informing us of Google’s drastic action.”

It added: “Google has told us they are taking this step because they wish to pay significantly less than at present to the writers of the music on which their service relies, despite the massive increase in YouTube viewing.”

Checkout: PRS for Music Statement in relation to Google/YouTube announcement