YouTube has canceled “Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on Television” after two seasons, along with three of the streaming service’s other series, “Champaign ILL,” “Sideswiped,” and “Do You Want to See a Dead Body?”
The four shows were canceled because the tech giant is shifting its focus from scripted programming to unscripted, educational and music artist-focused “docu-follows,” as it begins developing projects for a new ad-supported, free tier in addition to its subscription option, YouTube Premium (which is ad-free and includes YouTube Music), an individual with knowledge of the decision tells TheWrap .
The company is preparing to announce the ad-supported option at its Brandcast event on May 2 and clearing its deck of several shows originally developed for YouTube Premium, before unveiling a new slate of originals designed for both platforms, the source says.
The quartet of series that got the ax today join the previously-canceled “Overthinking with Kat & June,” “Youth & Consequences,” and “Origin.” YouTube series that will continue include originals “Cobra Kai,” “Step Up: High Water,” “Liza on Demand” and “Impulse.” The fates of “Wayne,” which premiered in January, and Jordan Peele-produced anthology series “Weird City,” which launched in February, are still unclear.
The move to cancel “Ryan Hansen” and the other three series comes a day after Ben Relles was named YouTube Originals head of innovation, a newly created role in which he will oversee a slate of interactive programming and live specials.
“Our goal is to create amazing programming focused on music, education, YouTube creators and some lighthouse shows,” Susanne Daniels, Global Head of Original Content for YouTube, said in a statement. “We just had our most successful year to date and will soon announce a slate of new and returning hits.”
Variety first reported the cancellation news.