YouTube CEO, Neal Mohan, has argued in an opinion piece in The Hollywood Reporter that YouTubers should be considered for traditional TV awards like the Emmys. Mohan's argument is based on the increasing role of YouTube in the entertainment industry, particularly its competition with traditional TV for viewership. In fact, YouTube was the top streaming platform by watch time in the U.S. last year.
Mohan asserts that YouTubers are not just recording vlogs from their bedrooms but are developing programming that is not only popular and relevant but also boundary-breaking. They have writers’ rooms, production teams, and business strategies, much like traditional TV production houses. He cites Good Mythical Morning, a variety program by creators Rhett and Link, as an example of YouTubers taking a professional approach to their production.
However, the debate arises whether optimizing for YouTube’s algorithm equates to the same traditional measures as TV show production. While many YouTubers attract millions or even billions of views, it's argued that much of the content on YouTube is created with the platform's amplification system in mind, rather than the audience.
Despite this, Mohan believes that recognizing the work of creators is the best way for the Television Academy to continue its legacy of honoring modern culture, while also building a bridge to the next generation of viewers. He suggests that the increasing influence of online media over traditional sources could soon justify YouTubers sharing the Emmy’s stage with traditional TV and movie stars.
