What does "Video Unavailable" mean?
So you've been hit with the dreaded video unavailable message on YouTube.
Don't panic, your video has not been deleted, and you won't lose the current amount of views and comments you have.
In most cases, this is not a Vevo issue, and this can be resolved without involving Vevo. No need to start a ticket with us to resolve this error message.
In Most cases: this message means that ownership has not been applied to the video in YouTube CMS by you, the Content provider! Luckily the fix does not involve Vevo content ops, and you can resolve this quickly and independently by following the steps below.
How do I resolve this and make my video viewable?
- Log in to YouTube CMS, search for the music video asset, and apply ownership.
-If you do not have access to YouTube CMS to apply ownership, please contact whoever handles rights/ownership within your organization. Vevo cannot apply your organization's ownership for you, you will need to resolve this by working within your organization.
- If you have access to YouTube CMS and are not sure how to add ownership, please see this YouTube resource: YouTube Help Article - How to Apply Ownership
- Wait a few minutes, if the message persists, send a reconcile update via Backstage for good measure. Link: How to send a reconcile update.
-View the video once again in incognito mode to see the changes applied/the video go live.
-Only if you've followed the steps above and the message still persists, please contact Vevo content ops.
Why was ownership removed from my video?
Ownership may be removed if:
- A new claim is created for the video.
- The video changes content providers, and the previous content provider removes their ownership, and the new content provider does not add their ownership.
- If the video is deleted/reinstated.
- If a content provider's YouTube deal expires.
- Ownership was never applied by the content provider. Sometimes videos go live without the content provider adding ownership, please communicate within your organization to establish workflows that prevent this from happening!