Yahoo has killed its online video hub, Screen
And with Yahoo facing increasing investor discontent, and pressure to deliver improving business results, the demise of Screen could be the first of more big changes and product shut-downs. Yahoo warned in October that it would narrow its focus in the coming months.
Yahoo said in a statement that the various videos available on Screen would be “transitioned” to other parts of Yahoo, specifically its digital magazines.
“We’re constantly reviewing and iterating on our products as we strive to create the best user experience,” Yahoo said, noting that the change would help users “discover complementary content in one place.”
News of Screen’s demise, which Yahoo said officially happened last week, was first reported by Variety.
Screen was launched in October 2011, before Mayer took the reins as CEO. But Mayer has made streaming video one of the major pillars of the comeback effort that she is leading. Under her watch, Yahoo has spent heavily to bolster its catalog of video content for Screen, acquiring the rights to Saturday Night Live, live streaming an NFL football game and hiring TV anchor Katie Couric, among other things.
The strategy has not delivered the payoff that Yahoo expected. In October the company took a $42 million write down for original video programs such as “Community.” The write-down came one month after Yahoo executive Kathy Savitt, who oversaw the video effort among other responsibilities, jumped ship to join film studio STX Entertainment.
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