YouTube will block some music videos whose labels don't sign streaming terms

As YouTube prepares to roll out an ad-free streaming music service, the Financial Times is reporting that it will block videos from indie artists who don't sign up for this new offering. According to the story, YouTube has signed deals with the major labels, and is explicitly threatening to block artists from using the entire YouTube platform, free or paid, if they do not agree to the terms of the new streaming service.

The FT quotes Robert Kyncl, YouTube's head of content and business operations, confirming that the service plans to block videos from any artists or labels who have not signed on to its new paid service, 'to ensure that all content on the platform is governed by its new contractual terms.'

The Guardian points out that this would affect a number of big names artists, potentially eliminating names like Jack White, Adele, and The Arctic Monkeys from YouTube. We have reached out to YouTube for comment.