YouTube's demonetization of certain videos is mostly to do with the advertisers bailing on controversial content, this seems like them giving an alternative way to keep controversial creators profitable for both the creator and the platform.
If the content is controversial, so the advertisers bail...the force to the rescue has been Patreon. But Patreon donations help the content creator, and they help Patreon, but YouTube is cut out of the profitability altogether. They are the ones hosting the content, as well as taking the opportunity cost hit of recommending you content from demonetized videos that they know you like.
As far as I'm concerned, I'm happy to see them recognize that there should be ways to monetize content that exist independently from how appetizing content is to advertisers...while still remaining financial beneficiaries in the process. They're hosting the content!
If the content is controversial, so the advertisers bail...the force to the rescue has been Patreon. But Patreon donations help the content creator, and they help Patreon, but YouTube is cut out of the profitability altogether. They are the ones hosting the content, as well as taking the opportunity cost hit of recommending you content from demonetized videos that they know you like.
As far as I'm concerned, I'm happy to see them recognize that there should be ways to monetize content that exist independently from how appetizing content is to advertisers...while still remaining financial beneficiaries in the process. They're hosting the content!