YouTube Rewind 2020 cancelled

For the first time since its inception in 2010, YouTube is cancelling its annual rewind video.

The video platform posted a statement on Twitter saying that it "doesn't feel right" to carry on with a rewind video this year, given all that's happened over the past few months. Although the statement doesn't specify as to what the exact reason behind the cancellation is, it can be assumed that the ongoing pandemic and its impact on people's day-to-day lives is what led to this decision.

YouTube also goes on to thank its creators, and states that they have helped make this year a lot better. 

2020 has indeed been a mess, and for more than one reason. Though the situation with the coronavirus takes center stage, certain other events that have taken place over the last 10 months or so have also contributed to making this year seem so cursed and unkind.

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YouTube itself stands witness to a lot of what has happened over the period of these 10 months. From the heroic efforts of frontline workers, and the empowering tales of the Black Lives Matter protests, to the numerous videos made for our entertainment, YouTube had no shortage of content this year. But it seems that the company is backing away from its usual approach to the year's end, simply because it can't carry on as if things were normal.

Image: INSTAGRAM/@ytrewind

YouTube's decision to put a hold on the rewind video has seen mixed reviews on social media, both from its creators, as well as its audience. Many of these people seem rather relieved that YouTube is not posting a rewind video this year. This comes from the fact that YouTube's most recent rewind videos have not performed that well with its audience. YouTube Rewind 2018 is the most disliked video on YouTube with over 18 million people hitting the "thumbs down" button. The 2019 Rewind video stands 5th on that list, and has over 9 million dislikes. Taking such statistics into account, many believe that the thought of being ridiculed by its own audience is also a major reason as to why YouTube decided to pull the plug on its rewind video this year.

Although we may not get to see a rewind video from YouTube this year, there's no doubt that many of its creators will make their own videos to take a look back at this year. Over the last two years, PewDiePie, the most subscribed individual creator on YouTube, has made his own rewind videos in collaboration with a few other creators. A lot of people are now eager to see whether he takes the initiative to make his own rewind video this year as well.