Changes on YouTube: YouTube TV and Video Podcasts

We have noticed some changes on YouTube that may suggest it’s trying to broaden the scope of what people use the website for.

Their newest venture, YouTube TV, is in direct competition with cable television. Users can now watch TV shows and movies from the website for free. Shows and movies include ad breaks as well. The content available is syndicated from other networks, making YouTube another streaming service, without the monthly fee! For now, there is no original content on YouTube TV, but since YouTube does have their own creative studios, we can assume that it’ll be present in the next phase.

Another popular use for YouTube is podcasts. Podcasts were originally created as an audio-only outlet, but many podcasters are also choosing to have a video aspect to their episodes. With podcast episodes also being filmed and uploaded to YouTube, listeners now have the option of watching podcasts. Since so many podcasters are using YouTube to post their content, it would be interesting to see if YouTube decides to expand on features for podcasters. There could be room for exclusive rights to podcasts, much like Spotify has done, or even their own podcast production studio.  

The one downside to podcasting is that of trust. It’s hard for consumers to decipher what is fact or fiction, especially when you would expect a podcaster to be well-educated on the statements they are making. Joe Rogan famously faced controversy due to his opinions on the COVID-19 pandemic that were inaccurately stated as facts. Spotify has now implemented messages before any episodes that may contain false information, but will YouTube do the same?

Between YouTube TV and the rise of video podcasts, YouTube continues to shift the content available on the site so that they can align with what people want to see. We are excited to see where the site goes over the next couple of years, especially if they expand their TV and podcasting initiatives.