James Delahunty
16 Apr 2009 18:44
Google Inc.'s YouTube video-sharing service announced on Thursday that it will stream full length movies and TV show content to its users for free. The movies and TV series will be provided by several top-brand major studios, and will be available to viewers within the United States.
The partnerships stuck by Google's video giant include Sony Pictures, CBS, MGM, Lionsgate, Starz and the BBC.
Instead of asking viewers to pay for viewing content like some Internet services, YouTube will share advertising revenue with the studios.
In an effort to boost revenue, which has become a major concern for YouTube while it continues to grow get more expensive to maintain, YouTube will use video ads more broadly, including mid-stream ads shown in breaks on longer content.