YouTube Is Getting Out of the Scripted Series Game and Changing to Connect Celebs to Fans

YouTube seems to be rethinking their game plan when it comes to scripted original content called YouTube Originals. Plenty of YouTube Originals are only accessible if you have a subscription to YouTube Premium (previously called YouTube Red).

However, according to Deadline, that may be changing as YouTube seems to be going for more of an ad-supported video on demand (AVOD) approach with all content instead of a split between AVOD and subscription-supported video on demand (SVOD).

Reports also indicate that YouTube has stopped picking up new scripted series to focus on new ideas. They are still working on Cobra Kai, Wayne and other projects already in the pipeline, “with enough original product estimated to keep YouTube in the original scripted game through 2020”. Some of those other series include Origin, On Becoming a God in Central Florida as well as three recently picked up pilots, that include Dark Cargo, The Edge of Seventeen, and It’s a Man’s World. But, don’t expect any new announcements about scripted programs.

It seems that their shift may have a new goal in mind: connect celebrities to fans. Katy Perry released a docuseries that was AVOD, and it did well. Will Smith did a heli-bungee jump over the Grand Canyon, and it has over 17 million views. Heck, Jason Momoa has even launched a vlog channel for the press tour for Aquaman, and it already has almost 20,000 subs. Clearly, this format seems to be working pretty well.

What do you think of this shift in content development?

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