Promised and speculated a long time ago, video streaming service juggernaut YouTube is now approaching a ‘new’ method of streaming: Subscriptions. According to the blog post, the new system will be called ‘YouTube Red’. It is meant to be an initiative made by the team to culture and support the creative growth of some of the big YouTube stars. YouTube Red promises certain features including ad-free videos, offline play and videos running in the background of the mobile apps. Along with this are original series and movies from YouTube creators. The current line up announced are as follows:
- Scare PewDiePie: In this reality-adventure series from the creator and executive producers of The Walking Dead at Skybound Entertainment and Maker Studios, experience thrills, chills and laughter as PewDiePie encounters terrifying situations inspired by his favorite video games.
- Sing It!: From Fine Brothers Entertainment and Mandeville Films comes SING IT!, a scripted comedy that lovingly satirizes the reality singing competitions that have become a centerpiece of pop culture.
- Lazer Team: In this feature-length action-comedy from Rooster Teeth and Fullscreen Films, four small-town losers stumble upon an alien ship carrying a mysterious cargo, leading to a battle to save Earth from an all-powerful enemy.
- A Trip to Unicorn Island: From the team at Astronauts Wanted, this feature-length movie gives fans an extraordinary look inside the life and journey of Lilly Singh as she embarks on a challenging 26-city global tour where she has to remember to practice what she preaches: happiness is the only thing worth fighting for.
- Untitled Joey Graceffa project: In this all-new reality adventure series, Joey Graceffa brings together an ensemble of top YouTubers for a murder mystery they’ll never forget. They’ll form alliances to survive, but little do they know that most won’t make it out alive.
- 360 Project from MatPat of Game Theory: YouTube educator and pop culture expert MatPat from The Game Theorists invites the audience to come along for the ride in an innovative new series and 360 VR experience. In each episode Matt explores the real-life science behind popular video games by throwing gamers into the high-stakes scenarios they play through every day, from water jetpacks to haunted pizzerias.
- Single by 30: In this romantic drama series from Wong Fu Productions and New Form Digital, two high school best friends make a promise to get married if they’re still single at 30. A decade later, with 30 quickly approaching, their attempt at upholding their vow unfolds in unexpected ways. Starring Harry Shum, Jr. and Kina Grannis.
- Untitled CollegeHumor project: Written by and starring the cast of CollegeHumor, along with special guests, this new anthology series will take a dark and comedic look at the absurdity of Internet culture.
- Fight of the Living Dead: In an unprecedented social experiment reality show from Alpine Labs, Fight of the Living Dead takes popular YouTube talent and traps them in a frighteningly realistic zombie apocalypse. They must use their instincts and gaming skills to survive as they battle the elements for the ultimate prize of survival.
- I Am Tobuscus: From the mind of Toby Turner, this scripted comedy explores the world of a self-involved YouTube creator pursuing bigger stardom. The show features original music, and satirizes the hilarious details of being an eccentric, new-age celebrity.
With a hefty line up of interesting original content and series, the service looks surprisingly entertaining. On top of this, YouTube Red will come with a subscription of Google Play Music which is their alternative to Spotify and will work in conjunction to the brand new YouTube Music app coming soon. YouTube Red will cost you $9.99 per month for the service. Starting next year, the service will be adding more bang for your buck, the details are which are still up in the air. YouTube Red is currently running a one month free trial for U.S residents only starting on October 28th.
As long as this remains simply an extra option to support content creators and not an imposed system on both creators and viewers, this should be a great alternative for the platform. Let us know what your thoughts are on this system, do you support it? Have a disdain it? Let us know!