YouTube executives claim that they aren’t concerned about their new subscription service’s name calling to mind a popular porn outlet, but social media users say that it’s doing just that.
In a Q&A session with reporters Wednesday at YouTube Space Los Angeles, company executives were asked if they were concerned that consumers would confuse their new YouTube Red product with RedTube, an online porn platform.
“We did a lot of consumer testing, so we were comfortable with it,” Robert Kyncl, YouTube chief business officer, said of the name.
“A we talked to fans, as we talked to users, as we did our studies, the term ‘red’ was very associated with YouTube. It’s sort of core to what is the YouTube brand,” Matthew Glotzbach, vice president and product manager for YouTube, said. “It has a lot of meaning in terms of love, it has a lot of meaning in terms of premium exprerience — the red carpet, the red velvet rope. So we felt like it was a really good match. We’re not too worried about that other site.”
That other site, however, was what a lot of users on Twitter were talking about in the wake of Wednesday’s YouTube Red unveiling.
“Youtube Red and chill. Not to be confused with Redtube and chill. Very different things,” one Twitter user wrote.
“*Waits for all the jokes comparing YouTube Red to Redtube*” another wrote.
YouTube on Wednesday announced YouTube Red, an ad-free subscription service set to launch Oct. 28. The new service will feature original programming beginning in 2016, including scripted and unscripted projects from artists such as PewDiePie, Lilly Singh and the Fine Brothers.
Youtube Red and chill. Not to be confused with Redtube and chill. Very different things.
— Bry (@BryOnTour) October 21, 2015
This is going to get confused with Red Tube and shock a lot of people https://t.co/kayMoGRVLC — Al Hughes Dukes (@Alsboringtweets) October 21, 2015
YouTube Red? Why not just call it RedTube? Oh wait…
— Oliur (@UltraLinx) October 21, 2015
*Waits for all the jokes comparing YouTube Red to Redtube* — Spooky Mike (@ProgPro) October 21, 2015
YouTube adds a subscription service and the best name they can come up with is YouTube Red. It’s a pube hair away from redtube…
— Tyler (@I_AM_WILDCAT) October 21, 2015