Music video service Vevo aims to launch paid service

DANA POINT, California — Vevo, the music video service owned by major labels Sony and Universal, is working on launching an ad-free subscription service with original content later this year.

Erik Huggers, who took over the CEO job in April, announced the plan at the Code/Media conference on Wednesday.

Huggers said Vevo videos would continue to be available for free on YouTube and other platforms. He didn’t discuss how much the subscription plan would cost or how it would differ from YouTube Red, a $10-a-month subscription service that also enables ad-free viewing, access to a music-focused app and original videos.

Vevo is also aiming to popularize its stand-alone app. It opened an office in San Francisco this month with plans to add around 50 employees to its 300-member staff this year.

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