YouTube Red will offer ad-free videos beginning October 28 for $9.99 a month; original content arrives in 2016

BY Evan Selleck

Published 21 Oct 2015

YouTube Red

YouTube has been a source of great content for a long time, but for avid viewers those content pre-roll ads can get kind of annoying.

And considering how prevalent YouTube is across the web, getting rid of ads is probably a wish many viewers have had for years. Finally, that wish is coming true beginning Wednesday, October 28. Google has officially announced what it’s calling YouTube Red, which will offer ad-free videos for anyone that wants to pay the company $9.99 per month.

That means, primarily, that subscribers will get to watch as many YouTube videos as they want without having to view any advertisements, before, during, or after. Subscribers will also get to download videos to watch at a later date, even offline. What’s more, YouTube Red users will get to watch YouTube videos in the background, even as they’re running a different app. The cherry on top is free access to Google Play Music All Access (typically $9.99 per month), the company’s music streaming service.

YouTube Red will offer a 30-day free trial, too. (If you subscribe through the iOS apps, you’ll be paying $12.99 per month. Just an FYI.)

The ads aren’t going anywhere for those that don’t want to pony up $10 a month, though:

“The free, ad-supported version of YouTube we all know and love isn’t going anywhere. You’ll still be able to enjoy YouTube, along with the YouTube Kids, Gaming and Music apps free of charge. But with YouTube Red, you’ll be able to support the people who make your favorite videos while watching what you want, when you want, on any device you want, uninterrupted.”

Google also announced that YouTube Red will offer original content, which ranges in scope and publishers. For those that are fans of Rooster Teeth, that company’s new Lazer Team will be part of the Red programming, and fans of YouTube personality PewDiePie will also have original content called Scare PewDiePie. The list below will give you all the details of each new piece of content coming to YouTube Red next year:

  • 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, the new-age celebrity.”

What do you think of the idea of YouTube Red?

[via Google]