Luke Hyams the online platform’s head of originals for Europe, Middle East and Africa said YouTube is aiming to bring more original content and drive more premium-subscription by bagging more potential international comedies and other dramas departing from the usual sitcom template.

Hyams said, “In scripted, we’re looking for personality-driven, authored pieces that have potential for international appeal and that take us into a new world or environment that maybe we haven’t seen in a drama before.” He added, “Focusing on one person’s narrative works really well for us.”

Commenting on comedy centred content, Hyams said he was looking out to “more serialized half-hours than your usual sitcoms.”

Elaborating on YouTube Premium subscription service where giants like Netflix and Amazon are already running ahead with original productions, he said YouTube already boasts a vast array of free content and only needs to convince viewers to switch to its premium service.