Decades have passed and during those years what’s our main source of entertainment? Watching television and films right? But, during this last decade there is a new player who is ruling this traditional media industry. It’s none other than YouTube. YouTube has a vast library of videos and user generated content which has the ability to reach people all over the world and it has changed the way we consume video content.
Much conjecture and discussion have surrounded YouTube’s potential effects on more established media sectors, such as film and television. While some see YouTube as a threat to these well-established sectors, others see it as a complementing platform that is only giving viewers and content providers alike new opportunities.
We’ll sort reality from myth and explain YouTube’s actual effects on traditional media companies in this piece.
Myth 1: Traditional TV and film are being replaced by YouTube
The idea that YouTube is displacing traditional television and film is one of the most persistent ones. Many people think that as more people find amusement on YouTube, they will completely stop watching TV series and movies. But this is a false impression that ignores the subtleties of the media environment.
There is no doubt that YouTube has changed the way we watch televisions and films but it’s not necessarily replacing TV and movies. The fact is many movie industries and studios are using YouTube for their growth and distributing the content.
This is just a mere example, a lot of famous series, and studios have their own and professional YouTube accounts where they share BTS and other engaging and funny content during their movie or series production. This content not only creates a community but also the information about their next upcoming series and episodes. Not only these they also post the movie trailers and posters which act as marketing strategies for their films and series.
Myth #2: Only amateur content makers may use YouTube
Many people think that YouTube is merely an amateur platform and it won’t produce any professional content. And this ideology originated from the fact that YouTube started as and still continuing as a platform for user generated content where anyone could upload content and make the world see it and enjoy it.
But YouTube has developed into a multifaceted ecosystem that includes both professional and amateur content providers over time. Numerous prosperous YouTubers have developed their channels into full-fledged production firms, complete with writers, editors, producers, and professional-grade equipment.
Furthermore, conventional media outlets have begun to establish their own channels on YouTube in order to provide viewers with top-notch, expertly produced material after realizing the platform’s potential. Several studios, big networks, and even individual celebrities and artists have made an online presence on YouTube, using the site to interact with followers and present their work in fresh and creative ways.
Myth #3: Traditional TV and movie careers are being replaced by YouTube
Many people think that YouTube is displacing workers in the traditional TV and film sectors. Although it’s true that the growth of YouTube and changes in media consumption habits may have an impact on certain jobs, this idea oversimplifies the intricate processes at work.
While YouTube has opened up new work options and career paths, it has also had an impact on certain professions in established media businesses. The demand for editors, producers and animators has increased due to many businesses and creators turning into creators and are trying to produce more professional and high quality content.
Many movie and TV professionals are on YouTube and created it as their new platform to showcase their work. This not only helps them to create an additional source of income, but also gives them freedom to produce unique and creative content that might not be possible to produce on traditional media.
Fact: Rather than displacing traditional TV and film, YouTube is changing the media landscape
YouTube is changing the media landscape, but it isn’t necessarily replacing traditional TV and movies, despite the many illusions about its effects on traditional media companies.
For both content producers and fans, YouTube has offered a new platform and an extensive archive of material that would not have been easily or readily available through traditional means. Because of this, the production and consumption of media have become more democratic, enabling individuals and small-scale makers to reach a worldwide audience and tell their experiences.
Traditional media firms have also welcomed YouTube as a new channel for advertising, sharing, and making money off of their material at the same time. Nowadays, a lot of TV series and films have official YouTube pages, and some even post supplementary features or unique content there.
YouTube and traditional TV and movies can complement one other. Even while YouTube offers a more personalized, on-demand viewing experience, many people still enjoy traditional TV and movies. Plus, Netflix and Hulu are blurring the lines between conventional and digital media with hybrid experiences.
In conclusion, YouTube has revolutionized media but not totally replaced TV and film. It has provided new pathways for consumers and content producers and forced incumbent media organizations to adjust and expand to stay relevant in the quickly changing digital landscape.
As media consumption patterns change, all industry participants—from traditional networks and studios to internet platforms like YouTube—must adapt and thrive in this new media ecosystem.
