Original Content Coming To YouTube? 119
itwbennett writes "Rumors of original, professionally-produced content channels coming to YouTube are heating up. Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal reported on it, invoking pro skateboarder Tony Hawk as one of the star attractions. Now The Hollywood Reporter is saying the channels may be launched early next year, with an official announcement coming later this month. 'Originally the story was that YouTube was going to invest $100 million in this content, but now that number has been bumped up to $150 million,' says blogger Peter Smith. 'Does that sound like a lot? Consider Netflix is rumored to be spending $100 million on House of Cards, a single original series that the company is backing. YouTube is said to be delivering 24 channels of original content.'"
Existing original channels? (Score:5, Informative)
YouTube already has tons of existing channels of original content. I'm particularly fond o:
http://www.youtube.com/user/Blendtec [youtube.com]
http://www.youtube.com/user/MyHarto [youtube.com]
http://www.youtube.com/user/EpicMealTime [youtube.com]
The difference is that they do this on their own dime, and get money from YouTube after the fact with revenue sharing. I guess this new model would be YouTube sponsoring the production of video to begin with. But YouTube does actually have tons of original content for all kinds of tastes. But I wouldn't say any of it has the production values of what you see on major networks.
Re:Define professional? (Score:4, Informative)
As has already been pointed out (sarcastically) there's plenty of original content on YouTube already, so what's new about this is that it's professional? How exactly are they defining professional though?
The article means original content BY YouTube themselve as I read it. YouTube is going to compete with the producers you talk about.
House of Cards (Score:4, Informative)
House of Cards, a single original series that the company is backing
Au contraire [wikipedia.org].