Popular Subbuteo-themed Youtube series Table Football Monthly has called time on the show after 19 months.
Keith Littler, the brains behind the monthly series, has announced problems with Youtube’s new monetisation plans means the show has quit the platform and could be at an end.
Video giant Youtube has changed its terms of service so that even channels without adverts currently on could host Youtube adverts instead – without the permission of the channel owners. Keith has always been staunchly anti-adverts on the show, which last aired in April.
In a heartfelt statement on Facebook, Keith says: “As some of you will know I decided to take a short break from TFM to recharge my batteries and consider ways to refresh the programme’s format. This afternoon I received notification from Youtube that, with effect from June 1st, they are reserving the right to monetise all content irrespective of permission from the copyright owners and producers.
“It has always been a matter of high principle to the 3 of of us that TFM be free of Ads, that prizes would be free and unsponsored and that the Series belonged to the viewers and us. We are unable to accept that our “free” access to the internet is gradually being commercialised. We will NOT allow our efforts to be cheapened by crappy Ads from companies we neither like nor support.
“So this is going to be the end of TFM on Youtube. Commercial interests and greed have won the day.”
However, after a deluge of support from fans of the show Keith has since announced he will be looking at ways to bring the Subbuteo community in future – but it won’t be on Youtube.
He says: “We are going to look at alternatives. Much like the attached pic I’m feeling a tad dwarfed by it all at the moment.”
Keith has promised to continue to talk everything table football on the Table Football Monthly Facebook group.
