Well you can’t blame them for trying. YouTube continues trying to make some order from the chaos of 150+ million videos it has, adding a “Web Originals” category to its new Shows sections. The name isn’t great – aren’t the majority of YouTube videos web originals? Aside from that, it’s sporting a grand total of 14 web series right now. (14?!?)
Granted, this may be an early preview of the new section, but so far the list is anything but complete. The only common thread between the group is they all are YouTube partners, which might be a prerequisite for inclusion. On the list so far: Fred, Smosh, Prom Queen, The Guild (season 1), Roadents, University of Andy, Arby ‘n’ The Chief, Gemini Division, Affirmation Girl, WineLibraryTV, Back on Topps. It seems that lonelygirl15 and its 200M views didn’t make the cut?
We have a call in to YouTube to find out more about this, including if and how web series can be added to the category. If this ends up being only for YouTube partners it’s going to be a disappointment. Right now the list is even lighter than Hulu’s web series channel, who unlike YouTube doesn’t already have a lion’s share of web series already uploaded to its site.
Maybe they took a tip from Metacafe, which has its own Web Originals category boasting just 51 videos, most of which are CBS’s Novel Adventures series. Speaking of CBS, they seem to be getting in the spirit with their own “Webisode Central” that also feels a bit light with 17 total web series. For now, blip.tv, KoldCast, and Joost all seem to have the edge in terms of web series organization.
(hat tip to modelmotion for pointing this out)
UPDATE 6/19: After talking to YouTube, they confirmed that this is indeed “Phase 1″ of the roll out, with no word on when exactly Phase 2 will begin. They have added a small handful more – Scam School, Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show, All Stars, Fantasy Sports Girl.
“We’re still evaluating how this is going to work,” a YouTube spokesperson told us, and “at this point there are no plans to make it opt-in.” They also confirmed that is is for YouTube partners-only right now, with no plans yet of venturing outside of that group. The new additions are mostly Sony or major partner content with very few indie series making the list.
As they figure out exactly what they think a web series is, it sounds like they are playing it pretty straight, trying to create what they say is a “clean, safe envrionment for consumers and advertisers.”
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I think it’s long overdue and could be a significant development if done correctly. “Web Originals” is actually a subcategory of TV “Shows.” I’d like to see it be it’s own category. It’s been important to many of us to make the distinction between web series and tv series. Also judging from their selection, the category seems to encompass all made for internet content not just web series and those belong in a TV “Shows” subcategory even less. So maybe be more specific and call the category with the TV shows, “TV Shows” and the category with the web shows, “Web Shows.” Having our own category also gives us our own destination page where we don’t have to compete with TV shows to be featured or spotlighted. Bottom line, apples and oranges.
This is interesting, there seems to be a blurry line between the title “Web Series”. Smosh, and Affirmation girl seem more like one-offs than an actually series.
WOW, I can watch Gemini Division in Hong Kong. I can’t watch it on the dedicated Gemini Division site because of country distribution restrictions (the Great Firewall of the US so to speak, ask anyone outside the US about Hulu and they’ll give you an exasperated look). If Google can solve the country restrictions issue with AdSense, then I applaud them for it! Though the ad I watched looked a bit like a US-targeted ad…
My guess is that they want to give at least the initial attention (while the category is fresh) to certain partners, and the less there are, the more likely each one will get seen. I also noticed that there are multiple tags for the shows too, for instance Gemini Division is in SciFi as well, so cross-genre shows may actually benefit from this kind of tagging.
But erf…. only 650 views for the last webisode posted for Gemini Division… this will be a great litmus test to see if more people discover it and watch it now.
With Smosh, I guess they felt that the third most subscribed channel needed more exposure. I am also just bitter that none of our shows are on there.
man you’re linking to metacafe search result.. nothing official there. that’s a mistake.
This is a great start. YouTube needed to initiate some kind of separation.
Cant stop thinking what an interesting mix of the homegrown and little known pet projects that were financed; and the lumping them all in the same category.
Makes the mind wonder. When looking for motivation see who benefits financially.
I say the industry as a whole does.
But let’s face it only 25% of what is represented is technically watchable. Those should be the ones that win.
btw, prom queen? oh well
New shows have been added…
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