About this time last year, YouTube announced a $100 million push to develop new original channels. About 100 new channels were funded and kickstarted by the Google-owned video juggernaut, including Felicia Day’s super-popular Geek and Sundry channel.
Whelp, they’ve just announced that they’re going again — and this time, they’re expanding globally.
Along with more American-based channels, YouTube is also preparing to launch channels in the UK, France and Germany. Expanding out their reach to pull TV viewers abroad — and thus, advertising dollars.
One new channel that piques my interest is that of The Jamie Oliver Food Channel. Jamie Oliver has been in the news throughout the past year attempting to utilize his culinary skills in the school lunch room, to both create healthier alternatives for kids without increasing budgetary strain on the school district.
Here’s Jamie talking about his 15-Minute Meals:
Netherlands-based Endemol is one major company that’s signed on — they’ve been circling around online video for quite some time, particularly their extra content for their hit reality series Big Brother. At some points throughout their various seasons, viewers were able to get a 24-hour, Truman Show-esque live feed.
Along with London-based FreemantleMedia (American Idol, The Biggest Loser), two international juggernauts are poised to make big moves that’ll further expand YouTube’s reach across the pond and beyond.
Think YouTube doesn’t have the viewership for new channels? Well, here’s a stat for you, from YouTube’s blog: “800 million of your [sic] are watching 4 billion hours every month, that’s up from 3 billion hours earlier this year”
That’s a lot of eyeballs spending a lot of time on the Internet.
Question: Who would you like to see get an original channel?
