The Fine Bros‘s next YouTubers React video should be easy to develop, since everyone is grappling with the news of YouTube Red, the ad-free, paid subscription model.
The Fine Bros themselves are one of several YouTube creators tapped by the service to be part of its premium offering, creating original content only available on the platform. But to remain in the YouTube ecosystem, YouTube Partners must agree to a deal that allows YouTube to include them in subscriptions, or have their content set to private and no longer earn any ad revenue. For subscription payments, creators will be paid a percentage of the revenue based on watch time and other factors, although YouTube declined to go into specifics of each contract.
YouTubers have started reacting to the news on social media since this morning’s announcement. Feelings are decidedly mixed.
https://twitter.com/fwong/status/656913189544656896
https://twitter.com/AcaciaBrinley/status/656938346455764992
Some creators are specifically concerned about the price of subscriptions, worried that it’s too high for their young fan bases.
https://twitter.com/gogreen18/status/656924496578744321
https://twitter.com/gogreen18/status/656924875605471232
I don’t think I like what YouTube Red is going to do to content creators, but I’m also not convinced that many people will pay for YouTube.
— Jared Knabenbauer (@ProJared) October 21, 2015
Others are reminding fans to stay calm, and that free YouTube will still exist in addition to the paid option.
My opinion on the new Youtube subscription is that it’s only there for people that really want it. Majority will stick to free Youtube.
— Nogla (@DaithiDeNogla) October 21, 2015
Reactions also included jokes about the site’s name, and how it’s a little close to RedTube, a pornographic video site.
YouTube adds a subscription service and the best name they can come up with is YouTube Red. It’s a pube hair away from redtube…
— Tyler (@I_AM_WILDCAT) October 21, 2015
https://twitter.com/Jack_Septic_Eye/status/656896291289612288
Fans have expressed confusion about the paid option, including wondering which of their favorite YouTubers have signed agreements and will still be available after Oct. 28. YouTube said it is 99 percent locked in with all partners.
I swear to god if YouTube red deletes the videos I will actually fight somebody I’ll book a flight to have a talk with Obama #SaveTheO2Lvids
— angel ⁷ :) 🕊 (@hearthopehobi) October 21, 2015
Youtube Red?…Change?…*hides under rock*
— Chilled Chaos (@ChilledChaos) October 21, 2015
Fans are also angry about pricing.
https://twitter.com/supernovalester/status/656902672302362624
Some have started a petition already in hopes that they can halt YouTube Red, with 1,800 supporters so far.
YouTube: stop youtube red – Sign the Petition! https://t.co/mE8savH1ea via Change
— sandri 🦈 (@tapecantfixme) October 21, 2015
YouTube has a week to clear up concerns and finalize the lingering 1 percent of contracts it said were not yet buttoned up before the product’s Oct. 28 launch.
Illustration by Max Fleishman.
