Coming in the ranks of ad-free video subscription companies like NetFlix and Hulu, YouTube also launched a subscription service that offers ad-free videos, offline playback original content, and music streaming—all for ten bucks a month.
According to The Verge, the subscription service dubbed “YouTube Red” was launched just recently at a Los Angeles high-profile event, and will be available for purchase in the U.S. on Oct. 28, for $9.99 per month. It will also roll out to different territories worldwide.
Red will be offering various perks for subscribers. First, YouTube ads will be a thing of the past, as there will be no more ads popping up on the screen before the wanted video shows up.
Next, users will have the convenience of offline viewing. Videos can be saved for offline viewing, and videos can be kept running in the background. This means users can listen to that hit music video, TED talk, or interview while texting, checking email, or surfing the net.
Google Play Music also comes bundled with the subscription, making it cheaper than Apple's or Spotify's no-video-only-audio subscriptions.
As a bonus, YouTube plans to put in some new and original content starring native YouTube stars the likes of PewDiePie (Felix Kjellberg) and Lilly Singh, exclusive for YouTube Red subscribers only.
According to the San Francisco Gate, current Google Music Play (also $10 a month) subscribers will also have access to Red.
"It's a major, major evolution of our platform," said Robert Kyncl, YouTube chief business officer, as per SFGate.
YouTube's upcoming original videos will range in length from short clips to feature-length movies. These will star famous video creators such as the Fine Brothers, who are reportedly making a scripted 10-part series called “Sing It;” famous Felix Kjellberg working alongside “The Walking Dead” co-creators for his own show “Scare PewDiePie;” and a world-tour documentary featuring performer and comedian Lilly Singh.
Although Red targets those who want to watch YouTube videos ad-free, YouTube still wants to maintain its core business, generating revenues through advertising. Company executives believe it will take some time before paid subscribers will grow in number, and added that some original content will also be made available for non-subscribers.
The $10-a-month service will also be available in iTunes, albeit at a $13 price tag, as Apple will take a 30 percent cut. However, if a Red subscription is purchased through the Google Play Store or on the Web, it will still work on apps that run on Apple's iOS or Safari browser.
