The Watcher is Leaving YouTube

[unc40]

It was announced yesterday that The Watcher would not be posting new videos on YouTube and will be going to a streaming service that will cost $5.99/month or $59.99/year. This is not going over very well with the fans.

The Watcher Leaving YouTube

[mcstoklasa]

Well ok..

Red-letter media are still on YouTube though right? Then good.

[Spider2024]

It can be downright hilarious sometimes how stupid and misguided some people get. Like, these yahoos actually thought this would go well. Putting ALL (or at least the vast majority) of future content behind a paywall, an exclusive paywall no less. Not like they're even joining an existing pay service with tons of other stuff available, no, their stuff and that's it. I guess it's possible that they could get other entities to contribute original content to this streaming service, but damn seriously.

[Brood Lone Wolf Funker]

There are plenty of other free paranormal and true crime on YouTube and even free streaming services and this is going to come back and bite them

["Cane Dewey" Johnson]

Everywhere that I go
Ain't the same as befo' (The watcher)
People I never used to know
Just don't know them no mo' (The watcher)
But everywhere that I go
I got people I don't know (The watcher)
Who got people they don't know
So I suggest you lay low (I'm watching)

I've never heard of these people until reading this thread.

[TWERKIN' MAGGLE]

I always liked The Monitor better anyway.

Is that not what this is about?

[A Platypus Rave]

I love Shane and Ryan... and Puppet History is probably one of my favorite shows on Youtube but yeah this is a really boneheaded move... and it's backfiring pretty bad against them...

especially since they already have a Patreon that was bringing in a bunch of money... as well as successful live tours (Which while wasn't ALL profit was more)

But trying to move from Free to paid is really poorly thought out especially when they talk about how some of their less viewed stuff could be seen on the paid thing which makes no sense?

Also they don't update nearly enough for this to be worthwhile as is... why are we to believe they will suddenly up their production schedule?


I've seen people compare it to Dropout... but like Drop out allows the monthly/yearly subs... while also allowing people to subscribe to their youtube channel to get the content for the same price (and YT you can use local currency so it's cheaper) and they also release stuff on their Youtube about a season later.

[mcstoklasa]

Didn't channel awesome try And leave YouTube once?

[A Platypus Rave]

Apr 20, 2024 22:14:47 GMT -5 mcstoklasa said:

Didn't channel awesome try And leave YouTube once?

They never tried to make their own streaming service no.

They were basically forced onto Youtube after like every other video sight failed.

[eJm]

Apr 20, 2024 22:09:09 GMT -5 A Platypus Rave said:

I've seen people compare it to Dropout... but like Drop out allows the monthly/yearly subs... while also allowing people to subscribe to their youtube channel to get the content for the same price (and YT you can use local currency so it's cheaper) and they also release stuff on their Youtube about a season later.

The other thing to remember is that Dropout has expanded so much it’s able to have a revolving set of shows happen, at the very least, every week day. The stuff that airs now was recorded several months ago and the stuff that was recorded as recently as two weeks ago won’t be seen for another few months because of the backlog of stuff. There are shows that haven’t been formerly announced yet that have either been recorded or are in the production process in some way or fashion as we speak and that’s before we get into the live shows going on right now that’ll be going up as extra videos (I’m going to a D20 show next Tuesday, for example. Very excited!)

Nebula almost has the same model and it’s one I’m not as familiar with but it also relies on people creating videos that aren’t seen anywhere else and allows for more defined works that won’t run the risk of them being taken down after a few hours and are going into other stuff like recordings of plays and stuff.

From what I hear about Watcher they have, what, one video a week at best? With podcasts on a Patreon? And they expect a whole service from that? Like, if they were to create an alternative to Nebula with more comedic creators and such (again, not familiar with their stuff so can’t say if that makes sense), I’d get it and you’d be able to have potentially more stuff going but it’s already a struggle for a lot of creators out there as is. Putting that pressure on them without a solid financial ground isn’t very sound and I hope the backlash they’ve been getting makes them very much reconsider.

[A Platypus Rave]

Apr 21, 2024 0:18:42 GMT -5 eJm said:

Apr 20, 2024 22:09:09 GMT -5 A Platypus Rave said:

I've seen people compare it to Dropout... but like Drop out allows the monthly/yearly subs... while also allowing people to subscribe to their youtube channel to get the content for the same price (and YT you can use local currency so it's cheaper) and they also release stuff on their Youtube about a season later.

The other thing to remember is that Dropout has expanded so much it’s able to have a revolving set of shows happen, at the very least, every week day. The stuff that airs now was recorded several months ago and the stuff that was recorded as recently as two weeks ago won’t be seen for another few months because of the backlog of stuff. There are shows that haven’t been formerly announced yet that have either been recorded or are in the production process in some way or fashion as we speak and that’s before we get into the live shows going on right now that’ll be going up as extra videos (I’m going to a D20 show next Tuesday, for example. Very excited!)

Nebula almost has the same model and it’s one I’m not as familiar with but it also relies on people creating videos that aren’t seen anywhere else and allows for more defined works that won’t run the risk of them being taken down after a few hours and are going into other stuff like recordings of plays and stuff.

From what I hear about Watcher they have, what, one video a week at best? With podcasts on a Patreon? And they expect a whole service from that? Like, if they were to create an alternative to Nebula with more comedic creators and such (again, not familiar with their stuff so can’t say if that makes sense), I’d get it and you’d be able to have potentially more stuff going but it’s already a struggle for a lot of creators out there as is. Putting that pressure on them without a solid financial ground isn’t very sound and I hope the backlash they’ve been getting makes them very much reconsider.

It doesn't help taht one of the things they mentioned bringing back was basically a show from their time at Buzzfeed which seemed like an excuse to spend buzzfeed's money on extravagant food...

But that was spending Buzzfeed's money to mess around instead of "your" money.

[Lizuka #BLM]

Never heard of them but this does sound like a really dumb idea.

[eJm]

Apr 21, 2024 1:02:26 GMT -5 A Platypus Rave said:

It doesn't help taht one of the things they mentioned bringing back was basically a show from their time at Buzzfeed which seemed like an excuse to spend buzzfeed's money on extravagant food...

But that was spending Buzzfeed's money to mess around instead of "your" money.

Yeah, especially when you’re banking on people to give you that money at a time when it’s harder to convince people to part with it. Dropout and Nebula give you a lot more bang for your buck which has helped in their rise of popularity but even looking at their page, there are other channels that are doing the same sort of thing but also don’t expect you to pay $60 a year for the privilege.

EDIT: Also to mention, Dropout talent have other sources of income like acting work or side gigs. Nebula have people doing essays but they write books or perform or edit for other creators. If Watcher doesn’t work out, what’s their backup?

[y4j1981]

Apr 21, 2024 1:47:39 GMT -5 Lizuka #BLM said:

Never heard of them but this does sound like a really dumb idea.

Same, I thought this was about the old UPN show. And was upset that I didn't know episodes were on YouTube

[mystermystery]

I'll join in on the "Didn't know of them, but it seems like a bad idea" chorus and use this as an excuse to bring up the 2000 horror film THE WATCHER that Keanu Reeves got mildly scammed into doing.

[Fundertaker]

Obligatory "Who watches The Watcher?" reference.

[Magnus the Magnificent]

"They'll be back."

[Rolent Tex]

I blame that damn Nick Fury

[unc40]

From what I have read it seems they have not very smart with money. They seem to have a large staff from the small amount of content they put out.

[Brood Lone Wolf Funker]

They're not leaving after all, issued an apology and have decided it's opt in but you get content early if you do