YouTube Red - What’s the deal?

Screen Shot 2015-11-04 at 4.57.02 PM

Screen Shot 2015-11-04 at 4.57.02 PM

By Elizabeth Adams | @elizdashiz

What’s the deal?

YouTube Red launched October 28th. It’s a monthly subscription service from YouTube that removes advertisements from all videos, everywhere you watch. It costs $9.99 a month, but you can currently sign up for your first month free of charge. It was originally introduced as YouTube Music Key, a service that allowed you to stream music and music videos from YouTube without ads. The service revamped its name to YouTube Red and expanded to all kinds of YouTube videos in late October. Sign up at YouTube.com/red

What devices support YouTube Red?

  • YouTube and YouTube Gaming apps for Android and iOS

  • Chromecast

  • Android TV

  • Apple TV

  • Consoles: Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii U, Playstation 3 and Playstation 4

  • Roku (LT, 1, 2, 2 HD, 2 XD, 2 XS, 3, Streaming Stick, Roku TV)

  • Supported Smart TVs

  • Currently, YouTube Red is not available on the YouTube app for the Amazon Fire TV.

What else is cool about YouTube Red?

There is a capability to view videos offline. You can download YouTube videos to your device and watch them without internet connection

You can continue listening to videos when you swap apps and click out of the YouTube app. This way, if you are listening to a music video on YouTube, you can switch over to your text messages and the music will not stop.

In 2016, YouTube Red will release members-only original shows and movies.

Google Play Music and YouTube Red are a two-for-one special. If you pay for one of the services, you get the other

How does it affect me if I don't sign up?

You will miss out on the extra features Red offers, but nothing will change about how you use YouTube. Most of the original content available through Red will eventually become free with ads after an unspecified amount of time.

Will Nesbit