Advanced Television

YouTube drops premium content production

March 25, 2019

YouTube is halting the production of premium drama and scripted comedy, and has consequently stopped taking pitches from producers, according to reports in the US.

As Apple preps its TV service including original content, it seems YouTube appears to confirm it is ducking competing head on with the premium streaming services. Bloomberg reports that the axing of original series – including sci-fi thriller Origin and comedy Overthinking with Kat & June – has forced their creators to look for a new broadcaster.

The decision comes a few months after the Google-owned company signalled a shift in their premium plans by putting its entire slate in front of the paywall as part of an ad-supported strategy.  At the time, YouTube said it “will continue to invest in scripted programming”, but the latest developments suggest this attitude has changed.

Categories: Articles, Business, Content, Premium, Production, VOD