YouTube to Run Full-Length CBS Shows
by
mark selfe
on
10 October 2008, 12:49
Categories:
Internet and Media
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International
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Internet
Topics:
google
,
cbs
,
HBO
,
online ads
,
Time Warner
,
YouTube
,
showtime
,
star trek
,
user generated content
,
Beverly Hills 90210
,
Young and the Restless
According to a report out by Reuters, YouTube has announced that it will begin broadcasting full-length episodes from CBS corps extensive archives. Shows will include 'Star Trek,' 'The Young and the Restless' and 'Beverly Hills 90210.'
Both CBS and YouTube will share the pre-roll advertising revenues from the shows that will run for anywhere between 20 and 48 minutes.
YouTube has had previously shown short excerpts of TV shows and of course millions of users have uploaded illegal copies of TV shows to the site without the ads. The move is a clear indiocatioin on how YouTube is shifting it's audience of 100 million viewed clips to professionally produced prime-time programs. The website averages nearly 20 million visitors per month, according to Nielsen/NetRatings.
YouTube has apparently been experimenting with distributing other network shows with tests with Time Warner's HBO and CBS's Showtime.
Soon I'm sure you'll be able to watch just about all the main channel shows on YouTube along with all the advertising spots. User generated content will continue for the home made ad free form of entertainment, perhaps it will get shuffled off to a second level page. It remains to be seen if the audience changes, or if the die-hard user generated productions move to another online venue.