What is YouTube Red? Price, UK launch, and all you need to know about Google’s Spotify and Netflix rival
Here's what you need to know about YouTube Red, including whether it's likely to launch in the UK any time soon
GOOGLE'S YouTube Red is a rival to Spotify, Netflix, Apple Music, and Amazon Video – and it's going global in 2018.
As the UK prepares for its inevitable launch, we reveal exactly what YouTube Red is, how it works, and when you're likely to get it.
What is YouTube Red?
YouTube Red is a version of YouTube that's completely ad-free.
The catch is that you have to pay money to use YouTube Red, as part of a monthly subscription plan.
If you're a paid-up member, you'll get access to ad-free music streaming, just like Spotify.
You'll also get access to 'YouTube Red Original' videos, which are series and films that have been created specifically for YouTube Red.
The platform first launched back in 2014 over in the US as 'Music Key', and only offered songs and music videos from participating labels.
Then in late 2015, it expanded to include ad-free access to all YouTube videos, as opposed to just music.
How to get YouTube Red in the UK
YouTube Red is currently only available in a select few countries, including the USA, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Mexico.
However, it's not currently available in the UK – yet.
In February 2018, YouTube's CEO said that the company plans to launch YouTube Red in "a hundred" more countries around the world in 2018.
While she didn't reference the UK specifically, it's very unlikely that humble Blighty would miss out on the launch.
However, speaking to The Sun, a YouTube spokesperson said: "We don't have plans to announce at this time."
We also spoke to tech analyst Daniel Ives, who said a UK launch is very likely.
"YouTube Red has had an identity crisis over the last few months and now finally appears to be back on track," explained Ives, who works for research firm GBH Insights.
"We believe the international expansion strategy is key to see what type of uptake this service will see, especially in England, France and Germany as a focus for a mid 2018 launch.
"We believe streaming music and additional video content will be a focus and trying to expand the core YouTube power user engagement."
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How much does YouTube Red cost?
There's no UK price yet, because YouTube Red hasn't launched in Britain.
But in the USA, customers pay $9.99 per month for the service.
As such, it's likely that the inevitable UK launch will cost Brits around £9.99 per month, although nothing has been confirmed so far.
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