The Motor Trend YouTube Channel, this week, celebrated its one-millionth subscriber on the world’s largest video platform, further validating its evolution into a large scale producer of high quality automotive video content. The channel has experienced more than 600% audience growth since switching to episodic programming in February of last year as part of YouTube’s original channels initiative.
Bringing to life Source Interlink Media’s most powerful automotive media brands, the Motor Trend Channel is the world’s largest automotive video channel, regularly attracting almost four million views and 30,000 new subscribers each week.
The Motor Trend Channel has amassed an audience equivalent to a Top 30 TV market in the United States, according to Nielsen numbers, and close to that of a top 10 US market cable provider, based on NCTA data. And the current growth rate means the Motor Trend Channel audience is expected to double by the end of the year.
The channel has 10 original programs in full production, and more are planned to launch this year, including special programs based around high-profile events such as Motor Trend Car of the Year and Hot Rod Drag Week. Source Interlink is bringing its vast reservoir of assets and brand equity to bear in this new era of content creation and distribution.
New video content is available every day, Monday through Friday, and programs vary in length from 7min to 22min, covering everything from tests of new cars, trucks, SUVs and motorcycles, to automotive lifestyle, car culture, road trips and motor sport.
“We’ve set it up as an on-demand video channel with a deliberate programming strategy,” said Source Interlink Media Chief Content Officer Angus MacKenzie. “Our focus is automotive, but our programs appeal to different people in that audience. There’s something for everyone.”
The Motor Trend Channel will stream more than 60 hours of original programming this year, a 50 percent increase over 2012. In addition to hiring videographers, editors and producers, Source Interlink Media has invested in a new 15,000 square foot studio in El Segundo capable of state of the art digital post-production, as well as full CGI animation and visual effects.
“High quality episodic video programming is now a core competency for Source Interlink Media,” said MacKenzie. “We have invested in the capability to create programs that only a true multi-platform media company can create. The credibility and authenticity of our shows has not only resonated with our existing audience, but also brought a new audience to our brands.”
You can watch the Motor Trend Channel at www.youtube.com/MotorTrend.
About Motor Trend
Motor Trend, a publication of Source Interlink Media, LLC, was founded in 1949 and has a circulation of 1.1 million and a total readership of 7 million. Internationally recognized as one of the leading brands in automotive publishing, MOTOR TREND comprises Motor Trend Magazine; the award-winning website motortrend.com; the Motor Trend YouTube Channel; Motor Trend Radio; Truck Trend; Motor Trend Classic; Motor Trend International Auto Shows; Motor Trend en Espanol; and the renowned Motor Trend Car, Truck, and SUV of the Year Awards program. The MotorTrend.com website attracts more than 5.5 million unique visitors per month and its YouTube channel averages almost 4 million views a week. Motor Trend’s social media presence spans 1.1 million followers across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Google Plus. Follow along @MotorTrend.
About Source Interlink Media
Source Interlink Media, LLC is the premier source of special interest media in the United States. With more than 75 publications, 100 Web sites, 800 branded products, 50+ events, original YouTube video programming, social media, and TV and radio programs, SIM is the largest provider of content to enthusiast communities interested in automotive, acti
