Youtube redesigned like Hulu?

According to this article, this article, and this article (at least those), in April youtube is going to be segregating actual users from the "premium videos" made by television corporations and movie studios, and focus on this professional content, much in the style of Hulu.com. The reasoning behind this seems to be that Google can't generate the kind of revenue with ads on youtube that even much smaller sites like Hulu can with professional video content.
The impact of this for us is that people with very few subscribers (like many of us), or channels that may have many subscribers but are without professional/corporate ties/quality (the vlogbrothers, the fiveawesomegirls, nerimon, charlie is--, et cetera) will be back seated and forgotten. The likelihood is that the separation between user-created and professional-created videos will have an effect of drawing people away from user-created videos and toward revenue-generating videos. User-created videos will likely become harder to find among the "premium content". I don't know how this will sound to you, but do you know what this means to me? NO MORE NEW NERDFIGHTERS! Or at least far fewer!
What are we going to do about this? Part of me wants to stay on youtube after this happens and try to keep the user-created spirit alive, and part of me wants to sort of resign in protest.

Tags: changes, money, youtube

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Madi on March 31, 2009 at 7:17pm: They're having maintenance tonight.

Is it happening today, or later in the month?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Elle on March 31, 2009 at 7:39pm: It's supposed to be during the middle of April.

(source: http://www.youtube.com/blog); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lisa on March 31, 2009 at 7:20pm: Major suckage. I would suggest something like veoh.com but its never in my knowledge gained as much status as youtube. Youtube has its moments of amazing, such as nerdfighters among other things. I think I would stay to try and keep the spirit alive.

Yes, I did say suckage. I'm just a tiny bit sleepy.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by thePeteris on April 1, 2009 at 1:18am: I think the answer to this is actually fairly clear...

Someone needs to build a new youtube. And I think we all know who I have in mind.
How hard would it be? I really have no idea...but I feel like considering all the amazing things the John and Hank have done with the backing of the nerdfighters, it must be possible. Basically, expand this site, or create a new site, that allows us to upload videos just like youtube does... and start using that instead of youtube. Maybe get together with other big youtubers and have them make the switch too.

I'm guessing John or Hank should have a video up discussing this in the next day or so, I wouldn't expect any less of them.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mach on April 1, 2009 at 1:47am: I hope this doesn't happen.

Uhg...

I makes me want to headdesk. Not just in annoyance, but also in sadness. :(
YT is supposed to be about people... With out people it would have failed long ago... Well, if all else fails... some one will make something better.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Trebor on April 1, 2009 at 2:49pm: I knew Google buying Youtube was a bad idea.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by thePeteris on April 2, 2009 at 4:14pm: bump

This is important! Why is no one talking?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Allie on April 2, 2009 at 4:26pm: That's a tad ridiculous. What do they need more money for, anyway?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Joey Joe Joe Jr. Shabadoo on April 2, 2009 at 5:19pm: We can and will find (or design) a site that fits our interests; everyone else will stay with Youtube™; our site will eventually become cool and just as corporate as Youtube™; the process will continue.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by neeshaknowsall on April 2, 2009 at 5:33pm: OH NOES! TRAGEDIES!

It's "Broadcast Yourself"
Not "Broadcast Those Who Pay For It"

The pain. The pain.; ▶ Reply to This