Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeSusanne Daniels is exiting YouTube after nearly seven years at the Google-owned global video-sharing company.
The YouTube global head of original content will depart in March.The veteran exec, whose career has included president roles at The WB, Lifetime and MTV, helped oversee YouTube’s dive into originals in 2015, developing premium series “Cobra Kai,” which early on was a key player for the YouTube Red service (later rebranded as YouTube Premium). “YouTube’s the biggest and best video platform in the world and what an exciting and tremendous experience I’ve had working to create meaningful programming for global users of all ages and backgrounds,” Daniels said. “I’m so proud that our YTO content could contribute to the ongoing growth and success of this remarkable platform, and I look forward to new adventures ahead.” YouTube moved away from scripted and subscription-based original content in 2018, and eventually its scripted fare moved to other homes: “Cobra Kai” to Netflix, “On Becoming A God In Central Florida” to Showtime and “Step Up” to Starz.
At that point, speculation began that Daniels — whose specialty over the years has been creating generation-defining scripted series — might depart YouTube.
Read more on variety.com