YouTube will not reopen Spaces as its shifts focus to a new hybrid model

YouTube will not reopen its physical YouTube Spaces in Berlin, London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris, Rio, and Tokyo. The company said it is now shifting its focus to a hybrid model that combines virtual and in-person Pop-up programming.

YouTube Spaces had launched almost nine years ago to help content creators leverage the company’s resources such as better studios, host events or run classes. Following a positive response, YouTube expanded the Spaces to Pop-up locations to reach more content creators in different geographies, especially where it would not have set up a physical facility. Since the expansion, YouTube has hosted more than 45 Pop-up events across 20 cities including Madrid, Milan, Cairo, Jakarta, Taiwan, and Mumbai. About 15,000 creators and artists have attended these Pop-up events so far.

Even as the Pop-up events have been a hit for YouTube, its physical Spaces were closed due to the Covid-19. The pandemic forced YouTube, just like any other digital industry, to embrace virtual tools for reach. YouTube said it hosted thousands of online events including a Shorts workshops for content creators in India last year. The company pointed out that its virtual events had reached more than 70,000 people across 145 countries while its physical Spaces facilities were shut.

“We truly believe this flexible new strategy will allow us to reach more regions, and positively impact more new and existing creators and artists by giving them the guidance and resources they need to take their craft to the next level,” YouTube said in a post.

YouTube has also shared a roadmap for the hybrid virtual-Pop-up events that will be held later this year. It will host multi-week development programmes for its first-ever #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund for creators and artists. It said it would relaunch Pop-up events once in-person events were allowed. The events will include workshops for new products like Shorts and events like Music Nights.