One of the most interesting promises of the YouTube Red subscription platform was the vow to introduce exclusive original content, a la Netflix.
Now the company has announced more details about the YouTube Red Originals and the release date for the first four titles, comprising of three feature films and a series.
All titles will premiere on February 10, one week from today.
The most notable of which features the platform’s biggest homegrown star PewDiePie. The previously announced Scare PewDiePie will be a ‘reality-adventure series’ from the producers of The Walking Dead.
The idea is to place the Swedish online phenom into “terrifying situations inspired by his favourite video games.”
The three feature length titles are a documentary called A Trip to Unicorn Island, following Lily Singh on a 26-city tour.
Dance Camp from the team at Awesomeness TV promises to weave “an amazing story of unlikely friendships” through the power of dance.
Finally, Lazer Team is an action comedy from the Rooster Teeth team where “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.”
See also: Opinion: YouTube Red should worry Spotify more than Netflix
YouTube says the series and movies are ‘just the beginning’ and advises users to stay tuned to the YouTube Red Originals channel.
The originals are part of an appealing overall proposition. YouTube Red, launched in the United States last October, offers ad-free access to all videos on YouTube and the chance to save videos offline.
Subscribers paying $9.99 a month can select an audio-only mode for music videos as well as access the full Google Play Music library. YouTube Red is yet to launch in the UK.
Check out the trailers below. Do you think these releases have enough going for them to challenge the likes of Netflix and Amazon? Share your thoughts below.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
