Video subscription service YouTube Red (and sister app YouTube Music) has launched in South Korea – meaning that it is now fully available in five countries.
The service first arrived in the US in October last year, but has since attracted criticism for slow subscriber uptake from music business sources.
The Verge claimed earlier this year that, by late summer, Red had only 1.5m paying subscribers, plus another 1m free triallists.
YouTube is currently hiring for a Growth Marketing Manager in the US to help accelerate sign-ups to the $9.99-per-month platform.
Since its US launch, YouTube Red has also arrived in Australia, New Zealand and Mexico.
YouTube Red, which enables ad-free and offline viewing as well as access to premium-only content, is now available in Korea for 7,900 won ($6.75) a month.
Google said an original YouTube Red video by K-pop boy group Big Bang will launch next year.
YouTube Red is still to arrive in any European market including the UK. Google was believed to be planning a UK launch by the end of 2017.
That looked like more of a possibility following a fresh licensing deal with PRS and IMPEL signed back in January, but now (obviously enough) doesn’t appear likely.
YouTube this week claimed that it had paid $1bn to music business rightsholders across the past 12 months.Music Business Worldwide
