New Delhi, May 12 -- YouTube has become the preferred debut platform for some originals put out by content studios despite the lure of video streaming companies Netflix, Prime Video and JioHotstar in the country.

While Aditya Birla-owned Applause Entertainment has launched a kids' animation channel ApplaToon on YouTube, The Viral Fever (TVF) has dropped shows such asMitronPolitan andVery Parivarik on the platform even after the success of originals such asPanchayat on OTT platforms.

Experts said programming that doesn't require massive upfront investment can find its true value on YouTube, where the company can own the brand and build a dedicated fandom, unlike deals with OTT platforms that often require giving up on intellectual proper...