YouTube Moves Originals Out of Paywall, Embraces Ad-Supported Model
YouTube announces that all future Originals will feature a free, ad-supported window, directly opposing the industry trend of building paywalls. The company also highlights ongoing content responsibility efforts during its annual Brandcast event.
YouTube Chief Business Officer Robert Kyncl confirms that the platform is taking its Originals out from behind the paywall to offer them as free, ad-supported content. Speaking at the annual Brandcast event, Kyncl emphasizes that while other media companies race to put content behind paywalls, YouTube is heading in the opposite direction. All original programming moving forward will have an ad-supported window, though the company is not fully abandoning paid subscriptions just yet.
The new strategy includes making the first two seasons of the hit "Karate Kid" follow-up "Cobra Kai" available for free later this year. In addition to the "Cobra Kai" season three renewal, YouTube announces returning series like Kevin Hart’s "What The Fit" and new projects featuring Justin Bieber and the popular channel Dude Perfect. Other upcoming releases feature a documentary about Paris Hilton, expanded Lollapalooza coverage, and YouTube’s first interactive special with Markiplier.
Meanwhile, YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki takes the stage to declare that prime time is now personal and happens on mobile devices. She also addresses platform responsibility, describing the removal of hate speech and misinformation as her number one priority. Wojcicki notes that YouTube removes millions of bad videos every quarter, most of which never receive a single view, and acknowledges that the company remains committed to improving these ongoing efforts.