Susanne Daniels

Global Head of Original Content, YouTube

In her first year at YouTube, the former MTV exec added more than 20 YouTube Red Original exclusives. She also struck a deal with Lionsgate TV to bring the “Step Up” movie franchise to YouTube Red as a series. “The current demand for more original content has allowed more female creative voices to rise. There are more female showrunners today than at any point in my career in the business,” she says, singling out Jenji Kohan, Shonda Rhimes, Mindy Kaling and Lena Dunham, plus newer voices like YouTube creators Lilly Singh and Mamrie Hart. “I’m so pleased to see the explosive growth of actresses in comedy breaking out today. More than ever, television has dozens of fantastic comedic roles written for women, more often by women.”

Which sector of the cable industry best demonstrates gender equality? Which could use some enlightenment?

The current demand for more original content has allowed more female creative voices to rise. There are more female showrunners today than at any point in my career in the business. That includes established names like Jenji Kohan, Shonda Rhimes, Mindy Kaling and Lena Dunham, but it also includes fabulous new voices like Sarah Shapiro and Liz Meriwether, as well as YouTube creators like Lilly Singh, Mamrie Hart and Quinta Brunson. There’s still a great deal of work to be done to empower more female directors and female crew as well.

What advice would you give your 13-year-old self?

Advice to my 13 year old self: just know that there’s not one right time for anything and that there’s not just one path to success. The journey can be circuitous but stay focused on what you enjoy doing.

Which current programming best reflects the kind of women’s roles you like to see and why? 

I’m so pleased to see the explosive growth of actresses in comedy breaking out today—kudos to the industry for embracing female lead comedies more than ever—I love “Veep”; the strong female cast of “SNL”; Amy Schumer; “Broad City” girls; “Jane the Virgin”; “Angie Tribeca.” More than ever, television has dozens of fantastic comedic roles written for women, more often by women.

What’s been the biggest story in cable this year?

Which one of these things was not a compelling daytime soap opera? “Days of Our Lives,” “The Young & The Restless,” “The Bold & Beautiful,” “As The World Turns,” “A Week in the Life of a Viacom Executive.”