YouTube Red takes their first step into the original live stream program battle as the service released their first batch of “YouTube Red Originals” this past week on Feb. 10.
One of the world’s biggest online video platforms has officially unveiled its paid original content, which features the first four titles produced for the new subscription service.
YouTube Red users in the U.S., currently the only country where it’s available, will be able to view programs such as the comedy-thriller series that revolve around YouTube sensation Felix Kjellberg with “The Walking Dead”, creators and Maker Studio with Scare PewDiePie, a documentary by another popular YouTube star, Lilly Singh with A Trip to Unicorn Island, Rooster Teeth’s sci-fi comedy Lazer Team and teen musical Dance Camp produced by digital network AwesomenessTV.
The first set of Red Originals has set itself to be more of a bait for YouTube users who have not purchased a Red subscription yet.
“We have lots more thrills, chills, LOLs, smiles, romances and surprises from more of your favorite YouTube stars coming later this year,” YouTube Global Head of Original Content Susanne Daniels said in an online blog.
The launch of YouTube Red marks an important turning point for YouTube which has helped generate the online video revolution in the last decade. This has allowed services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Hulu to gain buzz in the last couple of years.
YouTube hopes to accomplish what other video stream services have offered, but with cheaper production and a younger audience that has watched YouTube and online celebrities instead of the traditional TV for nearly half of their lives
It still remains highly unlikely that Red will ever be more successful than Netflix, a strong cultural service backed by a big budgeted for premium programs.
Numerous signs have been seen as YouTube content creators have broken into the mainstream in the last couple of years. Kjellberg has recently made an appearance as a guest on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.”
Singh was seen as a recent guest on “The Tonight Show” with Jimmy Fallon. Another famous YouTube “influencer,” Tyler Oakley, has had a book on the New York Times bestseller list and has appeared on CBS’ “The Amazing Race.”