YouTube

A global shift to home-grown

Netflix commissions from Germany, India and Spain

The old saying “Think global, act local” is the new mantra for the Net­flix-led, global tech platforms as they push for ever greater numbers of subscribers. In recent months, Net­flix, Apple and Amazon have all started to open offices, staffed largely by locally grown TV commissioners, in the UK and other non-US markets. Simultaneously, the tech platforms are ramping up local marketing efforts.

Amazon has also jumped into local sports markets, purchasing major live sports rights for the UK, including a Premier League football package and US Open tennis rights.

All about editing: Blue Planet II's editor on how he put together some of the show's iconic scenes

(Credit: BBC)

Like most editors, Matt Meech started out as a runner, working at a post-production house in Soho where he spent his spare time learning how to use editing software Avid.  

Matt put together a showreel which impressed his bosses enough for them to give him a job as an assistant editor. 

BT to broadcast first episode of The Terror on YouTube

(Credit: AMC)

The show, originally aired on AMC in America and is, in part, based on the true story of two ships, HMS Terror and HMS Erebus, which became trapped in the icy Northwest passage whilst mapping the Arctic coastline in the 19th Century. The series also draws inspiration from Dan Simmons' 2007 best-selling novel of the same name. It combines the real-life drama of being stuck in treacherous conditions with a sinister supernatural element.

Google boss defends Fake News record

“Don’t take this as me being rude, but as a Brit who’s proud of and grown up with our amazing content,” he urged broadcasters to experiment “with different platforms and technologies – I really believe there’s an enormous opportunity for original British content.

“We need some positive opportunities for export right now and the [online] audience is there, it’s growing and it’s going to double in the next five years.”

YouTube Red commissions first UK drama from The Crown creators

YouTube Red has commissioned its debut drama, which will be a sci-fi series from Left Bank Pictures who produced The Crown for Netflix.

They have agreed a deal for Origin, a 10 part sci-fi thriller, created and written by Mika Watkins who has previously written for Sky 1's Stan Lee’s Lucky Man.

At a recent RTS Futures event, the topic of what YouTube meant for the future of television was discussed.

Does YouTube need TV?

“YouTube is an amazing platform – you can build an audience and you know that they’re there to see you,” said football freestyler Daniel Cutting. “I don’t think my audience – kids between 8 and 13 or 14 – watch TV.”
He has more than 250,000 YouTube subscribers and more than half a million Instagram followers watching his football tricks. “On TV you don’t get to know the person; they’re kind of distant. [Online, viewers] can engage, comment and like, and potentially get a response from someone. YouTubers are becoming the new celebrities,” he said.

BT announces live UEFA Champions League coverage in virtual reality

BT has revealed plans to broadcast the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League finals for free on YouTube, the BT website, BT Sport channels and the BT app for 2017.

The UEFA Champions League final will be broadcast for the first time in 4K UHD with Dolby Atmos on BT Sport and 4K UHD on YouTube, with multiple 360 degree streams on Youtube and the new BT Sport VR App, which allows viewers to choose their own camera viewpoint as well as commentary and graphics.

What should social media do about fake news and online abuse?

At an RTS event about social media and television, Facebook’s Patrick Walker addressed the charge that his company had done little to stop these stories spreading.

‘We are a platform – we see ourselves first and foremost as a technology company. The mission we have is to connect people and make the world more connected, which is about sharing information,’ he said.