YouTube Red: Video-sharing website announces plans to launch ad-free premium subscription service

It will initially be available only in the US for $9.99 per month

Robert Kyncl, YouTube Chief Business Officer unveils 'YouTube Red' - a new subscription service including original programming, at the company's LA offices (AP)

YouTube has announced the launch of its ad-free premium subscription service, with plans to produce original, exclusive content. YouTube Red will at first be available only in the US, for $9.99 (£6.50) per month; a month-long free trial starts on 28 October.

The service allows viewers to save videos off-line, unlike many rival streaming services.

“For years, YouTube’s fans have been telling us they want more,” the company said in a blog post. “More choice when watching their favourite content, more ways to support their favourite creators and, above all, the option to watch their favourite videos uninterrupted.”

International launches will be announced soon. Beginning early in 2016, subscribers will also have exclusive access to original content.

The 10 original projects announced include several built around existing YouTube stars. The feature-length film A Trip to Unicorn Island will follow 27-year-old Canadian YouTube personality Lilly Singh on a tour of 26 world cities.

Felix Kjellberg, a 25-year-old Swedish comedian better known by his YouTube handle PewDiePie, will also star in his own show.