YouTube to take on Netflix, Amazon with its original content
In a bid to take on Netflix and Amazon Prime in the original content space, YouTube is in the process of making its own, original, scripted web series for several international markets including India, France, Germany, Mexico, and Japan. Some of this content, however, will only be available on the paid YouTube Premium service (earlier, YouTube Red). Here's all about it.
What we know about YouTube's upcoming original content
According to Susan Daniels, YouTube's global head of original programming, the company's original content will span a variety of genres, ranging from music-related documentaries to reality shows to scripted shows. These shows will reportedly be produced in local languages, and subtitled or dubbed in other languages for various markets. More details about show line-ups will be released in the weeks to come.
YouTube started dabbling into original content two years back
Notably, YouTube has already released a handful of original shows in South Korea, and one in India, called "UnCricket". The first original shows made by YouTube made their debut on the company's premium platform in 2016, and included series made by some of YouTube's most popular content producers. YouTube has also released a bunch of children's shows, including the Emmy-winning "Fruit Ninja Frenzy Force".
Susanne Daniels on YouTube's original content plans
"We are targeting markets where we believe we have a tremendous upside in potential subscribers," explained Susanne Daniels. However, she added that there were no current plans to create more children specific content, as such content does not drive subscriptions to YouTube's Premium service.
