YouTube logs film, TV deals
FROM VARIETY: Company pacts with major Hollywood studios
By Marc Graser of Variety -- Video Business, 4/17/2009
APRIL 17 | FROM VARIETY: YouTube’s vast lineup of programming just got a lot more interesting.Company has brokered content deals with Sony, Lionsgate, the BBC, Starz, Discovery and National Geographic to offer up full-length movies and TV shows for free on the site. Other partners include Anime Network, Cinetic Rights Management, Current TV, Documentary Channel, First Look Studios and IndieFlix.
Deals are considered a way for Google-owned YouTube to compete more aggressively with rival video sites like Hulu that have been able to attract more advertisers with premium content; it’s been looking to operate more like a free HBO rather than a source for shortform videos of Domino’s staffers sneezing on pizzas, cats playing pianos or kids hallucinating after visiting the dentist.
YouTube plans to sell advertising during commercial breaks in TV shows. It may eventually charge for the premium content.
Read the full story on Variety.com.
