Left By Its Boss, Google Shuts Down YouTube Originals

YouTube Original has just been deactivated. (photo; doc. youtube)

JAKARTA - Google's original video content group, YouTube Original has just been deactivated. The YouTube division was founded six years ago to create original and exclusive content for the YouTube Premium subscription service.

Now, the group is closing, and YouTube's Chief Original Content Global, Susanne Daniels, will be leaving the company in March.

Right after the news broke, YouTube's Chief Business Officer, Robert Kyncl, posted a statement on Twitter. In his tweet, Kyncl said going forward, YouTube would only fund programs that were part of the Black Voices and YouTube Kids funds.

Citing the growth of the YouTube Partner Program for ad revenue sharing which now reaches 2 million participants, Kyncl said, “now our investment can make a bigger impact on more content creators when applied to other initiatives,” Kyncl said.

An update on YouTube Originals: pic.twitter.com/PixhgZ2yhU

— Robert Kyncl (@rkyncl) January 18, 2022

Wednesday, January 19.

"We will honor our commitment to contracted shows that are ongoing and content creators involved with the event should expect to hear from us in person in the coming days."

Six years ago when it first launched in its original version, YouTube had planned to run a subscription-streaming business. But within a few years, it took a turn, and starting in 2018, YouTube discontinued its series of TV series and movies.

Some of his projects moved to other outlets: “Cobra Kai” was signed to Netflix, “On Becoming a God In Central Florida” went to Showtime, and “Step Up” was acquired by Starz.

Some of the most popular YouTube originals include the documentary “Justin Bieber: Seasons,” the comedy “Liza On Demand,” the drama series “Cobra Kai,” the continuation of the “Karate Kid” franchise, and the interactive series with YouTube game vlogger Markiplier.

On the music front, the original YouTube has included projects with Alicia Keys, Demi Lovato, Camilo, and Lewis Capaldi as well as "Released," a weekly new music program. The lineup also includes live streaming concerts with Taylor Swift, Coldplay, Paul McCartney, and Andrea Bocelli.

YouTube is the de facto video website, but Google still tends to catch up with emerging video app or web trends. Like, YouTube Shorts is a clone of TikTok. YouTube Gaming is a clone of Twitch.

YouTube Stories is meant to be a challenge to Snapchat. YouTube Originals took the spotlight on Netflix, which in 2016 attracted attention with award-winning shows like House of Cards and Orange Is the New Black. Back then, YouTube Premium for $12 per month started as YouTube Red and the offering was called YouTube Red Originals.