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Comment by Timpy | Hacker News Reader

I think the thing that pulls people in to YouTube is antithetical to YouTube Originals. If I'm going to spend 40 minutes on YouTube it's going to be a series of low commitment videos anywhere from 4 to 10 minutes long each. If I wanted something to watch that was the length of a TV episode I would be on Netflix.

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Everybody's YouTube experience is different, but video length is not the differentiator. People will watch hour-long videos on YouTube without batting an eye. Or stay for 10 minutes.

What is unique about Youtube is that everything is non-fiction. When was the last time any Youtube success was fictionalized content?

That's what Youtube Originals tried to change, and failed at.

Depends on your definition of fiction I guess. Comedy sketches are fiction right? Youtube has been known for comedy channels. Then there are channels dedicated to fiction franchises. Does a channel that only talks about Star Wars count as fiction? I dunno.

YouTube is definitely lacking in the traditional "TV show" department if that's what you mean.

You're right, and after two seconds of reflection I realized I watch longer videos on YouTube as well. I tried summarizing the difference between YouTube and other streaming services but it's more nuanced. The part of me that strives to be productive feels much better on YouTube, although deep down I know it's probably a net loss on my productivity. YouTube is great for video essays, tutorials, music & music videos, vlogs & video podcasts.

A 40 minute video essay feels insightful, I know that I'm really there for the entertainment but I can justify it to myself like I'm learning something and that makes me feel good. The things that I categorize as "mindless entertainment" are short and low commitment; I don't feel bad watching a 3 minute comedy sketch. When YouTube was trying to push Cobra Kai on me I thought, "that is not how I want to spend the next 30 minutes," then I wasted the next 30 minutes anyways on mindless entertainment with a series of 3-4 minute videos.

> When was the last time any Youtube success was fictionalized content?

Cobra Kai seems successful. Unfortunately, YouTube dropped it and Netflix picked it up. The irony is that, while Google makes a lot of money from ads, its sibling Netflix kinda sucked at advertising the show. I didn't know about Cobra Kai until it was on Netflix.

Cobra Kai was a terrible flop, which Youtube dropped after the second season did not change its status. Sony, which distributes it, believed in it and shopped it around to other streaming sites. Netflix picked it up and only then did it become a bonafide hit, warranting a third and now fourth season.

I found out cobra Kai was on Netflix from an advert on YouTube. Haha.

> What is unique about Youtube is that everything is non-fiction. When was the last time any Youtube success was fictionalized content?

"What does the Fox say" is non-fiction?

"Baby Shark" is non-fiction?

"Gangnam Style" is non-fiction?

> When was the last time any Youtube success was fictionalized content?

Today. There is ton of it.

I strongly disagree. I watch a lot of long form, in-depth videos on YouTube.

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