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YouTube is going Hollywood--maybe. According to online sources, the Google-owned online video site will soon offer a video-on-demand service, allowing consumers to stream movie studio releases to their computers.
According to The Wrap, a website that tracks Hollywood news, YouTube has signed licensing agreements with Sony Pictures Entertainment, Warner Brothers, Universal, and numerous independent studios, including Lionsgate. And while the other major studios—Paramount, Fox, and Disney—haven't yet signed on, this is the biggest online deal the movie industry has made since all the studios signed about Apple's iTunes in September 2008, says The Wrap.
YouTube declined to comment on the reported deal. But a spokesperson for the site did tell The Wrap, "We've steadily been adding more and more titles since launching movies for rent on YouTube over a year ago, and now have thousands of titles available."
Pricing for the service hasn't been revealed either, although some speculate that it wouldn't be too far from competitors such as Apple iTunes and Netflix. Film lovers could stream new releases for as little as $2, reports The Guardian.
The deal could be a major step for Google. Already, the company has made heavy investments—both in terms of money and online video content—to distinguish YouTube as more than just a popular and free source of outlandish amateur online videos (laughing babies and so on). But can it compete against already established players, such as Netflix and iTunes?
Would you be willing to pay YouTube for online movie rentals? Or are you already overwhelmed by all the existing entertainment choices?
EXCLUSIVE: YouTube Finally Goes Hollywood With New Movies on Demand Service [The Wrap]
Report: YouTube To Rent New Movies On Demand [Consumerist]
YouTube to launch movie rental service [UK Guardian]
YouTube Planning $100 Million Spending Spree To Compete With Cable [Consumerist]
—Paul Eng
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