During a panel session at the New Music Seminar conference in New York, YouTube’s music head confirmed that Google is planning on merging YouTube Red with Google Play Music. 

The company will be merging the two services to help better educate consumers and increase the overall subscriber base.

“The important thing is combining YouTube Red and Google Play Music, and having one offering,” Cohen said when asked about why YouTube Red isn’t more popular with music users. He didn’t address whether or not the two apps would merge — but it seems very unlikely.

“In my mind, the missing piece on building these businesses is collaborating with the [music] industry, and not just making deals and going away and seeing how it works.” The timeframe for the rebranded service is still unclear, but given the recent merging of the teams — and the fact that Cohen is openly talking about it — it may not be much longer before we see what Google has in store.

The merger will also allow Google to better negotiate with music labels and collaborate with them for future content.

A YouTube Red subscription removes ads from videos and allows subscribers to download videos for offline viewing. The subscription also automatically provides one with free subscription to YouTube Music and Google Play Music for free. (www.hikeaddicts.com) It also provides access to original YouTube Red programs and YouTube Kids app. YouTube Red is only available in a handful of countries including the United States, Australia, Korea, New Zealand, and Mexico.

As for Google Play Music subscription, it provides one with access to Google’s music library for streaming and offline playback purposes. And as a part of the subscription, you also get access to YouTube Red. So, yeah, pretty confusing.

This move from Google was inevitable especially after the company merged the teams working on the two streaming services. Google has also confirmed in a statement that it will inform users of any change before it actually happens.