You can now watch YouTube Originals for free, with YouTube having made its Originals free-to-watch. Some content remains exclusive to YouTube Premium subscribers. However, YouTube Originals released after September 2019 are available to watch for free.

What Are YouTube Originals?

As the name suggests, YouTube Originals are original movies and shows produced by YouTube. YouTube began producing original programming as a way of enticing viewers into subscribing to YouTube Red. Which has since been rebranded as YouTube Premium.

There are some YouTube Originals worth watching, but most YouTube Originals aren't up to the standard of the original programming produced by Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon. Which is probably why YouTube has switched its Originals to an ad-supported model.

How to Watch YouTube Originals for Free

Since September 2019, anyone and everyone has been able to watch YouTube Originals for free. According to an email sent out to existing YouTube Premium subscribers, this applies to all YouTube Originals released after September 24, 2019.

To watch YouTube Originals for free, just head over to the YouTube Originals YouTube channel. There, you'll find all of YouTube's original programming, most of which will be available to watch for free. Simply click a video to start watching it.

This means that non-members will be able to watch YouTube Originals for free by sitting through the occasional advert. However, according to this YouTube Help page, this only applies to new content, and not seasons of shows already released.

YouTube Premium subscribers can also benefit from ad-free viewing, access to all episodes in a season straight away, the ability to download episodes to watch offline, and exclusive access to bonus content. Which YouTube hopes is enough added value.

Is YouTube Premium Worth Paying For?

YouTube has done well to make its Originals free-to-watch, as it opens the content up to people who don't currently subscribe to YouTube Premium. After all, $11.99/month is a lot to pay to watch the handful of YouTube Originals you've actually heard of.

We have previously asked, is YouTube Premium worth the money? And access to YouTube Originals was one of the benefits listed. With YouTube Originals now accessible to everyone, this surely makes YouTube Premium less appealing. Convince us otherwise.