Pedro Pina, YouTube’s vice-president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, described how the platform has grown from a home for viral clips into a launchpad for artists, sports content and films. Speaking at the Iberseries & Platino Industria conference, he argued that YouTube helps creators build audiences and careers, and said the industry’s understanding of how its content can be protected and monetised there is improving.

Pina said around 85% of people in the UK who have a creative career in the industry began on YouTube. He cited the early spread of Susan Boyle’s Britain’s Got Talent audition, as well as the success of “Gangnam Style”, Justin Bieber and Ed Sheeran, and the films “Backrooms” and “Obsession”. Executives from Catalan broadcaster 3Cat and Italy’s Minerva Pictures described using YouTube to reach audiences and generate revenue, alongside their own services and channels.