YouTube Red ‘set for UK’

YouTube star Felix ‘PewDiePie’ Kjellberg

Google is preparing to launch its subscription version of YouTube in the UK later this year, according to reports.

YouTube Red launched in the US last year, costing US$9.99 a month, and has since been made available in South Korea, Canada and Australia.

The ad-free service features exclusive content from YouTubers including Felix ‘PewDiePie’ Kjellberg, Lilly Singh, The Fine Brothers and Joey Graceffa, while subscribers can download content for offline viewing.

YouTube execs are discussing the launch with rights holders and music labels, according to the Daily Telegpaph, although no deal has been struck yet.

The UK version is expected to cost £9.99 (US$12.30) per month and will become the latest competitor in the country’s SVoD market, which is dominated by Netflix and Amazon.

Shows available on YouTube Red US include Scare PewDiePie, billed as a reality-adventure series that pitches Kjellberg into a variety of horror scenes inspired by games.

Sing It! is a spoof of TV talent shows from The Fine Brothers, while A Trip to Unicorn Island is a film-length documentary following Lilly Singh on tour. Joey Graceffa is fronting an untitled show that puts other YouTubers into murder-mystery situations.