Posts Tagged: stage

2019 Brandcast stage highlights: Primetime is now personal

Today, people want to watch videos that relate to their interests and passions – whenever they choose, on any device. For some of us, it’s guitar lessons, but for others, it’s baking their own masterpiece alongside experts like How to Cake It. Everyone’s primetime is personal, and what you watch often reflects who you are.

There’s no better place than YouTube to find the creators, music and shows that you love. And that’s why YouTube is #1 in reach and watchtime among ad-supported streaming media, according to Comscore.1

For advertisers, this means being able to reach people who are increasingly cutting the cord. In fact, YouTube now reaches more 18 to 49 year-olds in an average week than all cable TV networks combined.2

Tonight, at our eighth annual Brandcast event, we celebrated the creator, entertainment and music content that audiences love on YouTube. We also showcased new ways we can better help brands reach viewers in an on-demand world.

It’s all about the engagement and results

YouTube is focused on helping brands reach their audiences and drive business impact. To deliver this, we announced that Nielsen Total Ad Ratings (TAR) is now supported on YouTube. This lets brands compare YouTube and TV reach apples-to-apples.

Across the 20 Total Ad Ratings (TAR) studies we’ve commissioned with Nielsen for brands like Colgate and the U.S. Navy, YouTube has consistently driven incremental reach at a more balanced frequency compared to TV.3

And across all Marketing Mix Modeling studies we’ve commissioned from Nielsen in the past two years that measured Google Preferred, we had greater sales per impression than TV in every one of them.4

To give advertisers more opportunities to validate their investments, we announced that Nielsen Catalina Solutions (NCS) Sales Lift will be available for Google Preferred campaigns before the end of 2019. The tool helps brands measure the lift in offline sales for U.S. consumer packaged goods brands, and provide deeper performance insights across audiences, creative and more.

Karate-chopping the paywall: Bringing more YouTube Originals to advertisers

From Hollywood celebrities to top YouTube creators, YouTube Originals deliver the content audiences love. We saw this reflected in last year’s star-powered slate, which amassed over 2.5 billion views across 50 shows like Will Smith’s “The Jump” or Liza Koshy’s “Liza on Demand.”5

But some of our best content was still behind the paywall, including “Step Up: High Water,” which achieved unprecedented viewership for its season two premiere, and “Cobra Kai,” the critically acclaimed reboot of the 1984 classic “The Karate Kid.” In its rookie season, “Cobra Kai” received 11 award nominations (including an Emmy nomination), the Golden Tomato Award for Best TV Drama and a 100-percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes – making it the highest-reviewed reboot of all time. And just after its season two premiere last week, which reached 20 million views in six days, Parrot Analytics confirmed Cobra Kai is the most in-demand digital original series in the world right now.6

Today, we announced that all new YouTube Original series and specials will soon be available for fans around the world to watch for free with ads — just like they enjoy other content on the platform. And we are excited to confirm this includes the renewal of “Cobra Kai” for season three.

This gives advertisers more opportunities to engage with a broader audience, drive meaningful results and align with top Hollywood talent and YouTube creators.

Our new slate builds upon the success of our first two years. We’re continuing to focus on stories that delight us from our favorite personalities, inspire us through rich cultural moments and educate us on topics that matter. From returning hits like “Kevin Hart: What the Fit” and “Liza on Demand” to new shows — with Dude Perfect, Markiplier and a top secret project with Justin Bieber — the slate celebrates the diversity, authenticity and spirit characteristic of the YouTube community.

YouTube Originals will be available to advertisers through bespoke sponsorships or Google Preferred lineups.

More music live streams, more opportunities for brands

Last month, YouTube’s live stream of Coachella’s first weekend was the most viewed yet, earning over 82 million live views — an increase of over 90 percent compared to 2018.7

After nine years of success in the desert, we’re doubling down on music festivals, starting with a new two-year partnership to live stream Lollapalooza this August. In addition to the curated live stream over the four-day festival, for the first time ever, fans will get additional custom content that gives them unique access to the festivals’ artists.

These key moments in music, along with other cultural events like YouTube FanFest, provide more opportunities to reach audiences with the content they are most passionate about.

The magic of Google Preferred

Google Preferred represents among the best content on YouTube.

To help advertisers better reach their audience, we’re evolving our Google Preferred offering to reflect changing viewing habits, and help advertisers connect with those viewers where they are.

Our proprietary algorithm, the P-Score, looks at the popularity and viewer passion of specific content — things like the amount of repeat views and how often videos are shared to keep Google Preferred Lineups fresh. It also draws on protection, which places a greater emphasis on content suitability where Google Preferred Lineup ads will only serve on videos that are reviewed first by machine classifiers, then verified by humans.

Tonight, we shared that we’re adding two new ways to help the P-Score be even more useful to brands. There’s platform (for videos frequently watched on larger screens) and production (for content that has higher production values like advanced camera work or sound quality) to bring more high-quality inventory into Google Preferred.

Where our TV offering is going and how it’s growing

Our TV offering comes in two parts: The first is YouTube on TV screens, which is the YouTube app optimized for Internet-connected TVs. Tonight, we shared that connected TVs represent our fastest growing screen, where watch time now tops 250 million hours per day.8

The second is YouTube TV, which launched two years ago to give people a new and reimagined way to enjoy cable-free live TV along with the best of YouTube content. Now with over 70 broadcast and cable channels, YouTube TV is available nationwide and will be accessible as a standalone lineup in Google Preferred this upfront season. This change, along with audience guarantees and show-level exclusions, allows advertisers to zero in on live and on-demand inventory. And most importantly, brands can go beyond demographics to reach audiences based on their interests – just like with the core Google Preferred offerings.

For today’s viewers, primetime is personal. With this expanded offering, advertisers and brands can reach and influence audiences on proven platforms like YouTube.

Check out #Brandcast to see highlights from the night.

Kate Stanford, Head of Global Advertiser Marketing at YouTube, whose personal primetime includes PostmodernJukebox, Mark Rober and First We Feast.



1 Comscore OTT Intelligence and Custom Reporting based on Total Home Panel, September 2018, U.S

2 Google commissioned Nielsen study, U.S., May 2018. People age 18-49. Average weekly reach for Cable TV and YouTube (includes mobile, desktop, and living room devices)

3 “Nielsen Total Ad Ratings (TAR) Meta Analysis, including all 20 TAR US studies inclusive of YouTube in-app traffic commissioned by Google running from January 2018 to March 2019 across desktop, mobile and TV. Incremental Reach Value calculated as YouTube’s on-target incremental reach / YouTube’s Total on-target Reach. Standard Deviation 22%. On Target Frequency calculated as On Target Impressions / On Target Reach. Standard Deviation 6.5

4 Commissioned Nielsen MMM Meta-Analysis, US 2017-2018. Base: all the studies Google commissioned in 2017 and 2018 where Google Preferred Lineups was measurable, a total of 20 MMM across 3 categories. Count based on incremental offline retail sales measured as two-tailed significance > 90%. Effectiveness is defined as incremental sales per impression. Incremental offline retail sales measured for TV represents average across all TV broadcasters. calculated as On Target Impressions / On Target Reach. Standard Deviation 6.5

5 YouTube Originals YouTube Analytics, Global, Jan 2018-Dec 2018

6 YouTube Internal Data, Global, [Apr 24-30, 2019]; Parrot Analytics, [Apr 24-30, 2019]

7 Youtube Internal Analytics, Global, April 2019

8 YouTube Internal Data, Global, March 2019. Based on 90 day average of WatchTime for Living Room Devices, which include smart TVs, Roku/Apple TV, and game consoles


YouTube Blog

Highlights from the Brandcast stage: New YouTube Originals and advertiser offerings

Primetime is no longer defined by the time the show is aired, but by the connection that content has with its audience. We see this reflected through over 150 million hours of YouTube watchtime per day on TV screens alone.1 In this next era of entertainment and information, we’re more committed than ever to YouTube being a platform for fresh voices, authentic stories, and thought-provoking dialogue.

Tonight at our seventh annual newfront event, Brandcast, we unveiled the latest content trends and new ways for advertisers to connect with their most attentive audience to drive unmatched results for their business. Brandcast is where advertisers, creators and fans come together to celebrate the vibrant community of YouTube.

Doubling down on can’t-get-enough-of original content

At last year’s Brandcast, we announced our new slate of ad-supported YouTube Originals, bringing shows from top Hollywood talent and YouTube creators to everyone, everywhere. From the Slow Mo Guys to Kevin Hart, our first year slate of brand-sponsored shows amassed over 700 million views across all episodes and related clips.2

Katy Perry’s 96-hour livestream, “Witness World Wide,” was named one of Time Magazine’s Top 10 TV shows of 2017, and just today, “Demi Lovato: Simply Complicated” was nominated for Best Music Documentary for the 2018 MTV Movie & TV Awards. All of this content was free and available to YouTube’s 1.8 billion monthly logged-in users3 as a result of partnerships with brands like Johnson & Johnson Consumer, Ulta Beauty, LL Bean and more.

As we move into our second year, we plan to build on the success of our first. We’re using the global reach of YouTube to shine a light on the human stories that inspire us, make us smarter and demonstrate the potential of what we can achieve. Here’s a sneak peek of a new slate of shows that will not only engage and entertain, but also celebrate diverse and authentic voices:

  • Will Smith: The Jump Off: In partnership with Westbrook Entertainment, Will Smith is going to epic heights in his new YouTube Original, “Will Smith: The Jump Off.” In this special, Will accepts the ultimate YouTube fan challenge to bungee jump from a helicopter—all to raise awareness for charity. The cameras will follow him as he prepares for the big jump, which we’ll livestream on his birthday.
  • Priyanka Chopra: If I Could Tell You Just One Thing: From Sundog Pictures, Priyanka Chopra will go on a personal journey to meet the world’s most successful and inspirational people—each time asking them for advice they feel can change the world. From actors and politicians to religious leaders and environmentalists, star of the show Priyanka will speak with the people who will go down in history as having challenged the status quo.
  • Jack Whitehall: Training Days: In this show, comedian and actor Jack Whitehall trains with the world’s most elite soccer players—and has a little behind-the-scenes fun in the process. Sponsored by Wendy’s in the U.S., “Training Days” is executive produced by James Corden and Fulwell 73 and will launch to fans around the world on Jack’s YouTube channel on May 9, ahead of the World Cup.
  • Best Shot: Executive produced by LeBron James and Maverick Carter, “Best Shot” is a new documentary series following the Newark Central High School Blue Devils as they find community through basketball and receive mentorship from former NBA player Jay Williams. Directed by Michael John Warren and produced by SpringHill Entertainment and Boardwalk Pictures in association with Blue Ribbon Content, “Best Shot” will debut on the NBA YouTube channel this summer.

After generating significant viewership, we’re bringing back these audience favorites:

  • Untitled Demi Lovato Project: In her new YouTube Original, Demi is returning to show fans a side of herself beyond her music to raise awareness about issues that matter. Demi will draw from personal experiences and passions to pay it forward to some of her biggest fans and closest friends. From Philymack Productions and London Alley.
  • The Super Slow Show Season 2: In partnership with Rooster Teeth Productions, the Slow Mo Guys are returning with a renewed focus on science, technology, engineering and math. Through the lens of education, the Slow Mo Guys will explore the tiniest phenomena and greatest spectacles—all in slow motion.
  • Kevin Hart: What the Fit Season 2: Kevin Hart is returning with even bigger punch lines and celebrity guests. In partnership with Lionsgate and Laugh Out Loud Network, this second season will raise more awareness of healthy living and wellness, as Kevin and his celebrity friends try out some of the most unique and outlandish workout routines.

In addition to the can’t-miss shows above, we’re also excited to announce we will be rolling out even more Artist Spotlight Stories—intimate and personal video portraits of music artists who are pushing the boundaries of creativity and connecting with fans in unique and powerful ways on YouTube. We will be partnering with artists, including Shawn Mendes, J Balvin, Janelle Monáe, and more, on Spotlight Stories this year.

Making even more top content accessible to advertisers

Every one of the shows outlined above will be available through Google Preferred—our premium content offering for advertisers—so that brands can continue to access some of the most popular stars and inspiring stories on YouTube. Year-over-year, we continue to see tremendous growth from Google Preferred. In fact, Google Preferred Lineups reach more 18-49 year-olds monthly than any cable network or full episode player.4

Today, we’re adding to that momentum. For the very first time, Google Preferred Lineups and Breakout Videos will include our complete music universe, including eligible VEVO channels and videos. This gives brands the unprecedented opportunity to advertise against virtually all music in the world, from fresh talent to the most popular music icons. Thank you to our partners at Sony Music, Universal Music Group and VEVO who have joined Warner Music Group and countless independent record labels to bring all of this exciting music to you.

We’re also focused on giving brands even more opportunities to advertise against some of the most influential live music events with Google Preferred and sponsorships. Once again, we are an official livestream partner of the Global Citizen Festival, and we will livestream shows from multiple cities around the world. And, we’re thrilled to announce we have renewed our exclusive livestream partnership with Coachella for an additional three years. The renewal will take YouTube through 2021, which will mark 11 consecutive years of a Coachella webcast on YouTube.

Beyond music, we are also launching a new product improvement to help advertisers reach audiences among some of YouTube’s most popular content. We’re adding new signals to enhance affinity segments on Google Preferred so advertisers can engage with the most relevant audience, creating a richer experience for brands and users alike.

Offering undivided attention and unmatched results

We’ve always believed that when you put the user first, great things will follow. By providing our audience with a home for immersive, engaging video content and our advertising partners new ways to reach their customers that are relevant and assistive, we can deliver greater impact for everyone. Looking across Nielsen Matched Panel Analysis (MPA) studies we’ve run to date, we see that over 70 percent of YouTube campaigns drove a significant lift on offline sales.5

We recognize the need to hold ourselves accountable with first- and third-party measurement tools. That’s why we’ve partnered with trusted experts, such as MOAT on viewability and Nielsen on reach, among others. And tonight we announced we’ll continue this work by extending sales lift measurement to Nielsen Catalina Solutions, soon giving advertisers a new option to measure the effectiveness of YouTube campaigns at moving products off the shelves.

Check out #Brandcast to see highlights from the night.

Kate Stanford, Head of Global Advertiser Marketing at YouTube, recently watched “WORLD RECORD – Longest Domino Line EVER!


1YouTube Internal Data, Global, Accurate as of Jan 2018. Based on seven day average of watchtime for TV screen devices, which include smart TVs, Roku/Apple TV and game consoles
2Google Data, Global, April 2018
3YouTube Internal Data, Global, March 2018
4Google commissioned Nielsen custom fusion study. Desktop, mobile and TV fusion. TV measurement of all individual U.S. cable networks. Reach among person 18-49 (Live +7, one minute qualifier), television only, September 2017.
5Commissioned Nielsen Matched Panel Analyses – Base: 55 YouTube Campaigns from 2016-2017 across nine countries; count based on tested strategies with a lift based on a one-sided significance >80 percent


YouTube Blog

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From the Brandcast stage: New star-studded shows for audiences around the globe

Kevin Hart. Rhett and Link. Ellen DeGeneres. Katy Perry. The Slow Mo Guys. Demi Lovato. Ludacris.

These amazing stars all have something in common: They’re starring in new shows premiering exclusively on YouTube. And since these shows are ad-supported, you—and every single one of our billion-plus viewers—can watch for free.

Bringing even more can’t-miss content to audiences globally

For years, we’ve been proud to work with creators like Casey Neistat, Jackie Aina and countless others who have turned their channels into daily destinations. And with these channels packaged within Google Preferred—our offering that allows brands to advertise on some of the most-loved and most-watched content on YouTube—brands have been able to support the videos you love, so you can enjoy for free.

These channels continue to be hugely successful. That’s why, starting in 2016, we made the decision to take YouTube to the next level. We began making premium original content for our subscription service, YouTube Red, releasing 30 series and movies in just over a year. And we kept hearing from brands they wanted to be more involved in these premium series.

Launching new ad-supported shows, exclusively on YouTube

When excited fans, brands, and creators tell us something, we listen. We’re thrilled to announce that beginning later this year, some of the biggest YouTube creators and Hollywood names will be featured in seven new series on YouTube—bringing more can’t-get-enough-of and can’t-find-anywhere-else shows to everyone, everywhere. With these new shows, brands can be a part of content that’s generating buzz around the world.

Check out the must-see lineup:

  • Ellen’s Show Me More Show: Like nothing Ellen has done before, Ellen’s Show Me More Show is a twice-a-week series built just for YouTube, giving fans behind the scenes access to some of the biggest stars and her favorite moments.
  • Good Mythical Morning: Worldwide YouTube superstars—and hosts of YouTube’s most popular daily show—Rhett & Link will go to new heights in a long-form expansion of Good Mythical Morning, giving fans even more of what they crave: larger-than-life stunts, zanier challenges, and over-the-top laughs.
  • Kevin Hart: What the Fit?: Kevin will team up with celebrity friends and YouTube stars each week as they attempt to master a different trending, grueling and sometimes ridiculous workout routine.
  • I Am: Demi Lovato: Global music sensation and social advocate, Demi Lovato reveals a yearlong personal journey of music reinvention and deep discovery as she dives into the writing and recording of her new album in her new series, I Am: Demi Lovato.
  • Best.Cover.Ever.: From Ryan Seacrest Productions and Endemol Shine North America, Best.Cover.Ever. is a cutting-edge talent competition series hosted by Ludacris where emerging talent from across the globe submit covers to YouTube to vie for the ultimate prize: an opportunity to perform a duet with a superstar artist. Submit your cover now at thebestcoverever.com.
  • The Super Slow Show: YouTube stars The Slow Mo Guys will test the latest in technology to reinvent the way we look at celebrities, music, pranks, comedy sketches and more, giving a one-of-a-kind glimpse into what the world looks like in slow motion.
  • Katy Perry Live Special: It’s real. It’s raw. It’s Katy Perry. Live on YouTube, The Katy Perry Live Special will take you inside of her world, revealing the experiences and emotions she poured into her all-new soul-baring music on the eve of her highly anticipated album launch. With unique access, global reach and surprise fun packed along the way, Katy will break it all down in this album listen-along, and if you stick around long enough, there might just be fireworks.

We’re excited to partner with top creators and world-class production companies to offer these new shows to audiences globally—on the platform where the world chooses to watch over a billion hours of video every day.1 People turn to YouTube to express themselves, engage with creators, and connect with the thriving communities they’re proud to be a part of.

This vibrant fan and creator community is also why brands turn to YouTube. And we’re excited that Johnson & Johnson Consumer Brands will be our first advertising partner of this new content. In addition to a major investment in our creators through Google Preferred, they’ve signed on as the exclusive sponsor of Best.Cover.Ever., helping to make the talent competition accessible to YouTube viewers.

Check out #Brandcast to see highlights from the night and look here to see what new YouTube trends were announced.

Robert Kyncl, Chief Business Officer, YouTube, recently watched “Justin Bieber – Despacito Ft. Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee.”

1Source: YouTube Internal Data, Global, 2016


YouTube Blog

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