How YouTube accidentally beat Netflix

Listen to our full conversation with Scott Gimple

Today we chat with Hollywood showrunner Scott Gimple about the battle between YouTube and Netflix.

00:00 Intro
00:54 Netflix responds to YouTube competition
4:44 A Hollywood Insider’s POV on YouTube vs Netflix
14:43 Week to week viewing
18:25 Where should low cost “premium” content live?
22:00 Should YouTube have a TV channel?
24:47 YouTubers with paid subscriptions
28:00 Third Place will win first place
30:15 The Next Chapter
33:40 Is YouTube friend or foe to Hollywood?
37:08 The Deepend

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ABOUT US
We’re Colin and Samir, creators based out of Los Angeles California. We make videos about the creator economy, and the lessons we’ve learned over 10 years of being on YouTube. We also interview creators and try to get to the bottom of what’s working on YouTube and where the creator economy is headed.

[WorldAccordingToBriggs]

You need to look into how AI low effort videos are killing YouTube.

[BlakeElliott]

YouTube feels more human to human, that’s why I prefer it as an entertainment platform. I also feel like I can actually learn something while simultaneously being entertained. It also supplements human interaction whenever I feel unavoidably isolated.

[BrandonLaskowski]

Netflix thinking YouTube's "model" can't have premium expensive content....sure sounds something like Blockbuster thinking a mail-order DVD company wouldn't ever take down their video rental business.

[Zmac]

I’m surprised this conversation didn’t bring up Hazbin Hotel. It’s a prime example of premium bingeable content released as seasons from YouTube that got scooped up by Amazon Prime. There are so many animators on YouTube that are framed by this model. Just found it interesting.

[jaydanielstech]

Netflix did weekly releases of episodes back when Breaking Bad was in its final season (possibly more) and it was such a fun moment in time of community viewing experience.

[feelintoasty]

I have so many friends who prefer the binge model, but personally i love the week to week model.

Sure being able to get closure immediately is nice, but you cant beat having a show linger in your mind for a week. All of the points you guys had, like 'unanswered questions' and how 'people would get together to watch shows every week' are spot on.

When the boys season 4 was dropping weekly, my mates and i ended up watching the last few eps together. If it released all at once maybe we would have talked about it but no way would we have watched any of it together.

[TheAJWendel]

Watching my news with Streamers is sooo much better than just watching the news. Being able to comment is the biggest thing for me. Having the feedback loop of seeing a community having similar feelings to what you are watching is so therapeutic.

[tweedekamerclips]

Done with work. Time for the Colin & Samir show.

[andrewboryk]

Very interesting that you got to interview Scott Gimple. I am a big appointment viewer of The Walking Dead, probably was one of the last cable shows I did that for. I think the relationship with the character note is the most important part of what he said. I wanted to see what happened Rick, Glenn, Negan, etc. Same with creators.

I think creators need to exist more broadly. Like actors and writers and directors go out and do interviews, appear on other talk shows. In many ways, the TV Show owns the audience and not the network, and how can creators do that as well.

[efficientapp]

Just had the realization now how important thumbnails are and should be, because obviously on Netflix, the packaging is so incredibly important to draw my attention, a movie that might have cost tens of millions to make, needs to also grab your attention, and the short clip it plays is crucial.

Not sure how that just hit me, but I used to be frustrated that thumbnails were so important, and the first 5–10 seconds, but the exact same is true for these other platforms with highly premium content.

[CoreyWagnerChicago]

Now this is the insightful type Colin and Samir content I can't get enough of. Sure I'm still secretly hoping they go back to vlogging at some point bc that's when I feel in love with the channel but god do I love this type of content and I'm happy they're doing it! Thanks Colin, Samir, and Team!

[SmashTheCache]

I don't think you guys used the term "shared experiences" one time during this video, but it's the umbrella that everything you're talking about lives under. I've been annoying everybody in my life with all the same types of ideas you have here, and it's not just content creators that need to really understand the dynamics of shared experiences, it's everyone. So much value can be added to so many things by intentionally creating a culture of shared experiences.

Thank you guys, one of the best conversations I've ever listened to about these sorts of topics.

[zachm]

I think the reason YouTube won't run a TV style channel is them trying to preserve the legal status of a platform, not a publisher.

[NomadOverNormal]

oh cool, I made a video about third places!! Dope that it got mentioned here. The thing that modern media is lacking is the community aspect of shared experience.

[gregkoeller]

Funny thing about this whole course of events - I don't ever remember seeing YouTube advertise "Watch YouTube on TV! Download the TV app on your smart TVs!"... I think all they did was make the apps, make them knowingly available, and watch the views pour in.

[GroFilms]

I was once on Venice Beach for a film shoot and exploring a shop with beautiful but out of my budget clothing. You two walked in and I proceeded to geek out to all my friends around me! I wanted to celebrate you and ask a bunch of questions. My choice was to ignore you and let you be. However the store owner introduced us all to each other(small store). You were extremely kind, supportive and are continuing to be very inspiring. Mahalo folks.

[imkbar]

Consistency is key, I haven't missed a Phillip Defranco video in over a decade now. I know the schedule and have adjusted when he has changed things up but over a decade+ of the same consistent schedule weekly.

[sophiaisabelle]

YouTube is superior. There's just more content on here. But Netflix is decent.

[fuvet]

Me opening youtube to watch while eating instead of the netflix app right next to it, just to see this video.

[sethtanner]

Colin & Samir dodging the Mr. Beast controversies like Vince Vaughn dodges wrenches.