Pedro Pina: YouTube Will Not Invest in Content Production

YouTube will not invest in content production, said Pedro Pina, the platform's European chief, while continuing his tour of major television events worldwide and persuading traditional TV gatekeepers that they should work with YouTube. Speaking alongside Stefan Schmitter, CEO of RTL Deutschland, Pina told the audience that […]

YouTube does not invest in content creation.

That was the message today from the European head of the platform, Pedro Pina, as he continues his tour of the biggest TV events in the world and convinces the traditional gatekeepers of TV that they should work with YouTube.

Speaking alongside RTL Deutschland CEO Stefan Schmitter, Pina told the audience that YouTube is a distributor and revenue sharer, not a producer trying to take work away from traditional players.

"We believe there are incredible companies around the world who know what beautiful content looks like," Pina said. "The audience dictates their choices and all we need to make sure is that the content can be delivered [on our platform]. We want RTL and the YouTube platform partners to understand well. As a platform, we don't invest in content creation." In related news, Luke Evans says his new ITV thriller 'The Party' shows how Britain's class system still dominates: 'The idea of a silver spoon birthday is alive and well' Original video news for Princess Diana Unheard: Streamer series to launch as 'Confession: Secret'

YouTube and RTL have been working together for over a decade. Last year, RTL became one of the traditional broadcasters to sign up for a new tool that would allow them to better show episodes and full seasons of shows. It has full episodes and news channels on YouTube. Watch on Deadline

Pina noted the success of RTL shows on YouTube, such as the long-running action series Cobra 11, which "speaks to the core of what we know about YouTube, and it's all about the fans." "You're activating fans and people who are fans of Cobra 11," he added.

He had a message for potential new partners like RTL, noting, "If our partners can't be successful, we can't be successful, and that comes from our video-by-video, minute-by-minute revenue model, where we share the revenue we make from the content that stays on the platform."

The likes of RTL and the BBC broadcast a lot of news on YouTube and Pina today argued that YouTube can help democracy in this regard.

"YouTube is a big platform where all voices can be represented, all arguments can be presented, and what's important is making sure all voices are there," Pina said. "The more traditional players are on YouTube, the more parts of the voices are heard, and that's only good for democracy."

YouTube is one of the most important discussions at MIPCOM, and Pina has recently participated in several of these big events. At the recent Edinburgh TV Festival, he argued that the Google-owned giant was not a "villain" for the traditional broadcast business.

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