Several big name YouTube original celebs have signed on with Vessel, but now daytime TV’s reigning queen Ellen DeGeneres will offer content through the platform’s premium service.
In addition to releasing clips from her show on Vessel for free, she’ll also window one-to-two clips per show to premiere on Vessel before they go anywhere else on the Web. DeGeneres announced the partnership on her show Wednesday, showing off Vessel to her loyal audience.
DeGeneres’ YouTube remains the most popular talk show YouTube channel, with her 11.5 million subscribers eclipsing late-night kings Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon. She’s also launched several Internet sensations thanks to her program, most notably 11-year-old cover singer Sophia Grace, who now has successful original music of her own.
While Vessel normally costs $2.99 a month, DeGeneres launched her partnership with a special that allows users to get a year for free if they sign up in the first 48 hours, much like Vessel’s launch deal.
“With Vessel, our hope is to bring short bursts of happiness to your day, whenever and wherever you need them,” wrote Vessel CEO Jason Kilar on the site’s blog. “The ‘Ellen‘ show’s videos do just that, and we couldn’t be happier to be working with Ellen and her team to offer them through Vessel.”
The partnership comes at a key time, when rumors of a YouTube subscription service have emerged, which could potentially eat into Vessel’s revenue model. With big-name content creators like DeGeneres signed up to promote the service, a new breed of fans may flock and foster the premium YouTube subscription movement.
Screengrab via TheEllenShow/YouTube