YouTube to Release “Choose-Your-Own-Adventure” Original Content

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Category: Lifestyle/Entertainment

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. roll out (something) / roʊl aʊt / (idiom) – to introduce a new service or product
    Example:

    The company will soon roll out a voice-activated car.


  2. interactive / ˌɪntɚˈæktɪv / (adj) – involving a system that allows communication with users
    Example:

    The interactive game asks players to choose what happens next to the game’s main character.


  3. fanfare / ˈfænˌfeɚ / (n) – great media interest and attraction toward something
    Example:

    The action movie received much fanfare and earned millions of dollars.


  4. designate / ˈdɛzɪgˌneɪt / (v) – to assign a person or a group of people to a specific job or activity
    Example:

    The creative director designated an entire team to work on the new video ad.


  5. foray / ˈfoɚˌeɪ / (n) – a first attempt to do something that is usually not part of one’s regular activities
    Example:

    Although the new film was the director’s first foray into comedy, a lot of viewers still enjoyed it.


Article

Read the text below.

YouTube is set to roll out new original video content with a “choose-your-own-adventure” format.


“Choose-your-own-adventure” programs are interactive videos that allow viewers to decide how a story will conclude.


The move follows the footsteps of streaming giant Netflix, which has been releasing  content with an interactive format. As the release of Netflix’s interactive sci-fi film Black Mirror: Bandersnatch received much fanfare, YouTube hopes that venturing into the same storytelling format will increase its viewership and advertisement sales.


Although YouTube is widely known as a free video-sharing site, it also provides a video streaming subscription service called YouTube Premium.  Original content produced by YouTube, such as the interactive programs currently being developed, is released and accessed only through the paid streaming service.


According to a YouTube representative, the company has designated a whole team dedicated entirely to developing interactive programs and live specials. However, the availability of interactive programs on YouTube Premium might take a while because creating various options and endings requires more production time, effort, and funding as compared to regular programs. Despite this challenge, YouTube assured that its first few interactive projects will soon be introduced to the public.


YouTube’s current initiative is not its first foray into interactive content as the company has featured some interactive advertisements in the past. Brands like car manufacturer Audi have used YouTube as a platform to interactively engage customers and advertise products. However,  the streaming site has yet to produce its own original ad content.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• Do you think YouTube is the best platform for the “choose-your-own-adventure” format? Why or why not? Discuss.
• What strategies do you think YouTube can employ to surpass Netflix’s success in the interactive storytelling format?

Discussion B

• What do you think are some challenges of exploring new programs or content?
• If you were to develop a new program or content, what factors would you consider (e.g. target viewers, trend, relevance)? Discuss.