YouTube develops interactive shows in which viewers can make choices

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A new section within YouTube is developing interactive shows and videos. With this, the video platform of Google competitor Netflix, where the interactive film Bandersnatch appeared since the end of last year.

The new shows to be developed will be developed by a division led by Ben Relles, who previously led unscripted programs within YouTube. He has been with YouTube for eight years and is currently researching the best ways to engage viewers in shows and stories. YouTube’s Susanne Daniels tells Bloomberg that there are now “incredible new tools and opportunities for multi-layered and interactive storytelling.” When the first interactive show from YouTube will be released and what it is about has not been announced.

At the end of last year it was announced that YouTube will be scaling back its efforts to create its own content. As a result, Originals videos are now available to all users, which were previously only available with a paid subscription. However, YouTube said it would continue to invest in scripted movies and series for the site and the new initiative to create interactive shows is likely part of that.

Netflix released the interactive Black Mirror movie Bandersnatch at the end of last year. This film revolves around the fictional game Bandersnatch, in which viewers have to make choices. The interactive film has footage for 312 minutes, but viewers see about an hour and a half based on their choices. Netflix will also release a second interactive show on Wednesday, called You vs Wild. It revolves around adventurer Bear Grylls who travels to all kinds of inhospitable areas. Viewers have to help him survive by making choices, for example by indicating to eat something or not.

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