YouTube on Thursday announced that it would begin making its new original TV content available on a free, ad-supported basis.
Deadline reports nine new programs will be made available on the streaming platform this year, which will include a mix of original content, including documentaries and interactive content.
Cobra Kai, the Karate Kid-inspired TV series that fills viewers in on the later lives of the characters of the popular 80s film series, will see its third season offered in the ad-supported format. While all of the third season episodes of the series will be made available to paying subscribers at once, free viewers will see an episode of the series released on a one-a-week schedule.
“For today’s viewers, primetime is personal and our content resonates so strongly due to the diversity and richness of our unmatched library and platform capabilities,” Chief Business Officer Robert Kyncl said in the official announcement. “While every other media company is building a paywall, we are headed in the opposite direction and now have more opportunities than ever to partner with advertisers and share our critically-acclaimed originals with our global audience.”
YouTube’s paid video streaming platform, YouTube Premium is a $12 per month subscription streaming service that offers ad-free viewing and other benefits. The service reportedly hasn’t been as popular as YouTube had hoped, so it is making changes to attract more eyes to the service.
