The YouTube Original Channel Initiative was a $100 million program funded by Google in 2012 to bring original content onto YouTube.[1][2] The original channel initiative was also meant to kick start Google TV.[3] The channels are collectively known as "original", "premium" or "YouTube funded" channels.
Participants included:
Most created channels through their production companies. Madonna is a partner with the dance channel DanceOn, while O'Neal plans the Comedy Shaq Network.