YouTube Unveils New International Channels

CANNES: BBC Worldwide, Endemol and FremantleMedia are among the companies that unveiled new YouTube channels today as part of the video-sharing site’s plans to expand its original channels initiative to the global market.

Since announcing almost 100 original channels for the U.S., YouTube has seen its top 25 channels average more than a million viewers a week, with the number of people subscribing doubling year on year. "Given the success of these and the tens of millions of other amazing channels already out there, we still know there’s more great content to find, follow and fall in love with on YouTube," said Robert Kyncl, the VP and global head of content. "That’s why today, we’re excited to launch a new generation of original channels coming from France, Germany, the U.K. and the U.S. From local cuisine, health and wellness and parenting to sports, music, comedy, animation and news, this new lineup of original channels will have something for everyone. They are backed by some of the biggest producers, well-known celebrities and emerging media companies from Europe and the U.S."

FremantleMedia is launching two channels for Germany, an urban life channel and a crime channel, to be produced by UFA. BBC Worldwide is launching a new nature channel on YouTube showcasing new films created by BBC Earth Productions, and a science channel produced in partnership with 360 Productions. Expanding its YouTube relationship, BBC Worldwide will be launching a selection of long-form programming in the U.K. and Canada for the first time, including the first ever episodes of EastEnders, classic comedy The Likely Lads, a selection from the BBC’s Shakespeare Collection and The Trials of Life and other dramas such as The Onedin Line. Endemol is partnering with YouTube for a line-up of new channels in Germany, including Short Cuts: The Short Movie Channel, which will feature short films, with editorial input from Endemol Germany’s scripted joint venture, Wiedemann & Berg Television; and Survival Guide for Parents, which will provide a humorous and entertaining guide to parenting. For France, Endemol will be producing a new interactive celebrity channel, IT’S BIG. From Zodiak Active is Fast, Furious & Funny (FFF), content for which will be produced by Bullseye in the U.K.