Autumn Roll-out in Europe
This autumn will see YouTube copy the roll-out of channels, as it has recently done in the US, in Europe. It has been widely reported that the web video giant has started this process by accepting pitches from European media companies. This work has largely been offered out to UK media companies at the moment but a wider range of European agencies are being line up as the deadline for the impending launch looms closer. It is anticipated that before the 2012 Christmas period video the audiences will be snuggled on sleeper sofas and watching locally specific YouTube channels throughout Europe.
Jed Simmons Responsible
The man responsible for driving this process forward is the EMEA head of original programming, Jed Simmons. It is believed the process was kick started with a series of briefings for the company which outlined the overall aims of the program and detailed the styles of channels the company was hoping to support.
US Media Companies
The US channel launch on YouTube occurred towards the end of 2011 and included a wide range of channels covering all of the major media genres and a few additional obscure ones. The launch was supported with a substantial financial support package for many of those involved. It has been reported that in excess of $100m was advanced to media companies in order to support the launch.
Competition in the UK
As stated it appears that the focus in Europe will initially be directed at the UK Market, where the US model will be scaled down to fit the size of the requirements. It is estimated that the plans for the UK will include just 20 channels as opposed to the 100 launched in the US. Similarly the funding support available to media groups is much less at just $16m. It is nonetheless a substantial amount finance and the competition amongst the UK media companies to secure, not just a channels slot, but some of the available funding, is sure to be intense.
Operations Begin in Cannes
As part of the preparation for the process, Simmons and the team from YouTube have set up operations in one of Europe’s media capitals, Cannes. The opulent location, which is home to one of Europe’s premier film festivals, is an iconic place to begin the search for their channels and may give some indication to the type of media that they are hoping to deliver.
Contenders for Slots
Among those expecting to be in contention for a slot on the European channels selection are the Shine group and Fremantle media who were successfully included in the US launch. In addition just about every other production company in the business is expected to be pitching which will make things very interesting indeed. Among the big names in the hat are Zodiak Media, Endemol, All3Media and Hat Trick who already support a substantial share of terrestrial and satellite television programming.
Access to the website is not limited to television and film production companies. There are a number of magazine and newspaper publishers, who are already involved in online video, that will have the opportunity to pitch for some of the space and cash available in the launch.
It is widely anticipated that in order for an applicant to be successful they will have to demonstrate that in addition to the production of quality content that they can manage a YouTube channel effectively. There are some media companies like All3Media who have considerable experience in this field, whereas others, like Hat Trick, out-source their support for this kind of activity.
YouTube Content Management Specialists
There are a group of UK based YouTube management specialists who will be vying for position to take a significant role (and chunk of the financial support) as part of this process. The companies; Base79, ChannelFlip and Diagonal View have got considerable expertise and experience to offer between them. Base79 may just have the advantage as it counts Patrick Walker among its investors and board members. Mr Walker is also a senior director for YouTube EMEA.
Coincidental Launch at Sony
At the same time as the launch of the channels Sony is expected to start selling their Android Google TV devices in Europe. The simultaneous launch is not considered to be related.
YouTube Video Download Tips
To free download YouTube videos on a Mac, you may need a Free YouTube Downloader HD for Mac. But if you would like to save YouTube HD videos to iTunes for iPad, iPhone or Apple TV, you may refer to professional YouTube Converter HD for Mac. Another app to convert YouTube music videos to MP3 audio format is called YouTube to MP3 Converter for Mac.
