YouTube Red Premium

The rumored ad-free subscription version of YouTube has officially been announced. Dubbed YouTube Red, the premium membership lets subs watch content ad free, save videos for offline viewing, play videos in the background, and use the service on YouTube’s gaming app and a new YouTube Music app that’s coming soon. The service officially launches October 28 and costs $9.99 a month for Android, desktop and mweb, and $12.99 a month for iOS.

YouTube Music allows you to pick a track and then let go on a journey of discover through the platform’s music catalogue, like a radio service, a la Spotify or Pandora. The library is still being completed, YouTube said in an online FAQ. You can “like” music and make playlists that can be listened to offline—in both audio and video form—if you’re a YouTube Red subscriber. When you download the new music app, you can sign up for a 14-day free trial.

Another aspect of the new service is programming. Early next year, YouTube Red will include new originals from popular YouTube personalities, like pop culture expert MatPat from The Game Theorists, Lilly Singh, Toby Turner, PewDiePie, Rooster Teeth and Joey Graceffa. It’s launching in the US first, but plans to go global throughout the year.

Things that will continue to exist with the premium service: comment sections, likes and views. But specific verticals of the YouTube Red exclusive content will have varied experiences.

What about rights issues? Reportedly, there’s some tension there. Tech Crunch points out that YouTube has signed on most of the creators, TV networks and movie studios to the program, according to a YouTube executive at today’s event at YouTube Space LA, and that there is a split of subscription revenue between the creators and YouTube. But those who don’t sign on will have their videos hidden from both the free and paid versions. This week the Wall Street Journal reported that traditional media companies “reluctantly” signed on, initially hoping for a greater share of revenue for their content. 

The Daily

Subscribe
Thursday–April 25

TelevisaUnivision Confident in DTC Profitability

TelevisaUnivision continued to invest more into its ViX streaming product during 1Q24, but that commitment comes at a cost. The company saw operating expenses grow 16% YOY to $821 million driven by those

Read the Full Issue
The Skinny is delivered on Tuesday and focuses on the cable profession. You'll stay in the know on the headlines, topics and special issues you value most. Sign Up

Calendar

Jun 13
2024 American Broadband Congress Conference Registration is Open!
Jun 26
2024 FAXIES Awards Nominations Are Open!
Full Calendar

Jobs

Seeking an INDUSTRY JOB?
VIEW JOBS

Hiring? In conjunction with our sister brand, Cynopsis, we are offering hiring managers a deep pool of media-savvy, skilled candidates at a range of experience levels and sectors, The result will be an even more robust industry job board, to help both employers and job seekers.

Contact Rob Hudgins, [email protected], for more information.