After more than six years valiantly attempting to make it work, YouTube is shutting down its original programming.
As per Variety, YouTube’s global head of original content, Susanne Daniels, is set to depart the company in March. The focus will now turn to funding Black Voices and YouTube Kids, it’s been confirmed.
In a statement about the decision posted to social media, chief business officer Robert Kyncl acknowledged the successes of YouTube’s original content while also outlining the vision for the future.
“Today, there are over 2M creators in the YouTube Partner Program and our creator community has never been more successful: we’ve paid more than $30B to creators, artists, and media companies over the last three years,” he said.
“However, with rapid growth comes new opportunities and now our investments can make a greater impact on even more creators when applied towards other initiatives, like our Creator Shorts Fund, Black Voices Fund, and Live Shopping programming to name a few.
Kyncl also confirmed that YouTube will honour their commitment to all shows already contracted and in progress. “I want to thank you, the creators, for partnering with us to create innovative and inspirational stories and look forward to growing your business on YouTube and beyond,” he concluded.
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An update on YouTube Originals: pic.twitter.com/PixhgZ2yhU
— Robert Kyncl (@rkyncl) January 18, 2022
YouTube eventually pivoted to unscripted content, particularly in the music and celebrity genres. This included Will Smith‘s Best Shape of My Life, a documentary about his fitness journey, and several livestream concerts by the likes of Taylor Swift, Coldplay, and Paul McCartney.
Check out the first episode of Best Shape of My Life:
