YouTube Red Triggers Jokes, Confusion on Social Media: ‘Worst Idea Since Tidal’
YouTube may be comfortable with its new paid subscription service YouTube Red’s similarities to popular porn site RedTube, but the complaints from users don’t end there.
Social media lit up with complaints, confusion and jokes on Wednesday following the announcement of YouTube Red, an ad-free subscription service set to launch on Oct. 28.
The new service will feature original programming beginning in 2016, including scripted and unscripted projects from artists such as PewDiePie, Lilly Singh and the Fine Brothers.
But people on Twitter remained mostly unimpressed by the notion that they’d have to pay for videos they’ve previously gotten for free.
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“Wow. @YouTube Red sounds GREAT for google and literally no one else,” said @austenw.
“Sounds to me like YouTube Red just benefits the top 1% of content creators… YouTube, the American government is not a good role model,” added @chrisconsiders.
There was also some confusion about whether the new service would affect current users who don’t plan to convert to the premium plan.
“WAIT. If you don’t sign up for YouTube Red your videos get deleted?! This is nonsense … Right?” asked @AmaAmaLeeLee.
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To be fair to YouTube, that is indeed nonsense. People who upload videos to the site will have to opt-in under new terms of services for their videos to be viewable only to YouTube Red subscribers.
Still, confusion, frustration and snark continued to pour in Wednesday afternoon. Below are some social media reactions to YouTube Red.
Wow. @YouTube Red sounds GREAT for google and literally no one else.
— Austen Woods (@austenw) October 21, 2015
Sounds to me like YouTube Red just benefits the top 1% of content creators YouTube, the American government is not a good role model
— Chris Boo-bard (@chrisconsiders) October 21, 2015
I I would rather sit through a 10 second ad than pay $9.99 a month for YouTube red
— Shantrice. (@Shantricelashay) October 21, 2015
youtube red is such a bad idea like you know that people will just get the videos for free somehow
— spoopy gabi (@gabiskindofcool) October 21, 2015
WAIT. If you don't sign up for YouTube Red your videos get deleted?! This is nonsense … Right?
— Amanda Lee (@AmaAmaLeeLee) October 21, 2015
YouTube has been fucking over content creators since day 1 though, so it's really no surprise that YouTube Red is awful.
— Nik Reed (@REEDnSTUFF) October 21, 2015
Oh yeah, and YouTube Red is a complete waste of time in an era of AdBlock and creators getting screwed out of a dead CPM system.
— Andre Harrison (@Harrison101HD) October 21, 2015
Heard about Youtube Red? what's next, Facebook Blue I bet.
— The Silver Conductor (@SilverConductor) October 21, 2015
@YouTube why the hell are you guys making YouTube Red a thing? You're ruining the community that we had for many years. Please think twice.
— Jay Ancheta (@SHITSQUVD) October 21, 2015
YouTube Red is the worst idea since Tidal basically…don't get it.
— Andii (@Andii_Renee) October 21, 2015
Remember the old Youtube app way before Youtube Red where you could listen to videos when clicking off the app with no payment at all?
— Ruby Power (@RubePower) October 21, 2015
youtube red, what is that like porn or what
— spooky prince arze (@gagakoenig) October 21, 2015
Real talk is anybody seriously going to pay for YouTube Red? It seems like a stupid waste of money.
— batalie/|( •w•)/| (@rose_simmer) October 21, 2015
