YouTube and Balaji Telefilms Partner to Take 200 Episodes Global

YouTube is strengthening its position in India’s entertainment landscape as established production houses and creators increasingly turn to the platform to develop, own and distribute original shows. In a significant move, YouTube and Balaji Telefilms has partnered to launch five new fiction series globally.

The collaboration will take approximately 200 episodes to audiences across the globe, including the second season of Haq Se and fourth season of Kehne Ko Humsafar Hai. The new venture is part of a bigger trend in the content industry as creators and major entertainment companies are turning to digital channels to connect directly with viewers.

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Creators Gain Greater Control Over Content

The creator model on YouTube enables the creators to control their intellectual property and earn money from advertising and brand partnerships. This is a viable alternative to traditional deals with television networks and streaming services that might give network executives more say over the content.

Expansion of connected TV usage is also contributing to the change, as more consumers watch YouTube content on their TVs. YouTube is becoming an entertainment platform, as it's estimated that over 75 million people in India are currently watching the platform on a big screen.

This trend is also drawing some famous TV personalities. Actor and television host Shekhar Suman has brought his new comedy TV program Shekhar Tonite to YouTube, and more and more traditional entertainers are looking into breaking the mold of the regular television format and going online.