YouTube Red Triggers Jokes, Confusion on Social Media: ‘Worst Idea Since Tidal’

“WAIT. If you don’t sign up for YouTube Red your videos get deleted?! This is nonsense … Right?” tweeted one confused user

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.

“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.

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.

https://twitter.com/chrisconsiders/status/656966098047205376

https://twitter.com/gabiskindofcool/status/656965218791235584

https://twitter.com/Andii_Renee/status/656966133052911616

https://twitter.com/RubePower/status/656966098009636868

https://twitter.com/gagakoenig/status/656965946322624512

https://twitter.com/rose_simmer/status/656965750373027840

Comments