Youtube Originals

YouTube Originals (also known as YTO) was the original content production division of YouTube, a subsidiary of Google/Alphabet Inc., formally established in 2016 and led by industry veteran Susanne Daniels as Global Head of Original Content. The division developed a broad international slate of award-winning scripted series, unscripted programs, documentaries, and premium livestream events — most notably 'Cobra Kai,' 'Liza On Demand,' 'Impulse,' 'Justin Bieber: Seasons,' and 'David Blaine: Ascension' — amassing billions of views across its lifetime. Originally launched alongside the YouTube Red (later YouTube Premium) subscription tier to compete with Netflix and Amazon, the division pivoted away from scripted SVOD content in 2018 toward free ad-supported unscripted fare before being shut down entirely in January 2022, with YouTube redirecting investments to its Partner Program, Black Voices Fund, YouTube Kids Fund, and Shorts Creator Fund.