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On February 10, YouTube’s new subscription service, YouTube Red, will premiere the first in a series of original movies and shows starring top YouTube influencers including PewDiePie and Lilly Singh, among others. The service, which cites commercial-free and exclusive access to content among its many perks (including its YouTube Gaming and Music apps), is aimed at capitalizing on top YouTube stars‘ devoted followers, reach, and engagement. With the launch of their original YouTuber content, YouTube Red competes ever more directly with over-the-top streaming services like Hulu and Netflix and, as online video continues to grow in popularity, with mainstream television networks as well.
Learn about YouTube Red Subscription Service and its YouTuber originals from PewDiePie, Lilly Singh, channel trailers, and more here:
With over 1 billion users, YouTube is the undisputed king of online video, and YouTube’s biggest stars have hitherto amassed loyal followings by creating original content independently. Now, YouTube is betting that these fans will pay to see original shows and movies starring their favorite YouTubers, especially if it means users can skip the pesky ads. According to Susanne Daniels, YouTube’s Head of Original Global Content:
“The diverse, dynamic creators behind these films have already built massive audiences on YouTube, rivaling many cable shows. With YouTube Red Originals, we want to help them tell bigger and bolder stories that delight you, their fans.”
Some of the original content YouTube Red subscribers can expect in the coming months includes:
With over 42 million subscribers, PewDiePie (aka Felix Kjellberg) is one of YouTube’s most magnetic stars. In the new reality series “Scare PewDiePie,” executive producers of “The Walking Dead” bring the YouTuber’s most terrifying video game scenarios to life.
In this full-length feature documentary, Lilly Singh (aka Superwoman) gives fans an intimate look into her life as she travels to 26 cities around the world. The film, which is produced by Astronauts Wanted, is poised to be a hit with her enthusiastic followers.
Awesomeness Films, which released “Smosh:The Movie” in July, 2015, aims to replicate their success with “Dance Camp,” a film that combines one of YouTube’s most popular sub-genres (dancing) with a Millennial-focused story of friendship and perseverance.
Financed in part by $2.48 million in fan donations, this action-comedy from Rooster Teeth follows the adventures of four lovable losers who find and alien ship and use its mysterious cargo in a battle to save Earth.
In addition to giving subscribers ad-free access to original content from YouTube’s biggest stars, a $9.99 YouTube Red subscription allows users to save songs and videos to watch offline, provides “background playing” so music doesn’t shut off with a mobile device’s screen, and includes a subscription to Google Play.
Top learn more about YouTube’s subscription service, check out our dedicated post here.
Aside from creating a better experience for users, YouTube Red aims at vaulting online video into the mainstream and proving that young audiences are willing to pay nominal fees to see their favorite YouTubers in bigger productions. By creating a more reliable way for YouTube stars and YouTube-focused brands to generate revenue, the company also hopes to keep its most talented stars from migrating to other platforms or to Hollywood.
Meet YouTube’s First-Ever Subscription Service: YouTube Red