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.
Some creators are specifically concerned about the price of subscriptions, worried that it's too high for their young fan bases.Others are reminding fans to stay calm, and that free YouTube will still exist in addition to the paid option.Reactions also included jokes about the site's name, and how it's a little close to RedTube, a pornographic video site.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.Fans are also angry about pricing.Some have started a petition already in hopes that they can halt YouTube Red, with 1,800 supporters so far.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.