Pay-per-view feature films coming to YouTube?

Xeni Jardin 5:00 pm Wed Sep 2, 2009

In today's New York Times, Miguel Helft reports that YouTube is negotiating with major Hollywood studios over an agreement that would allow the web video service to stream feature-length movies to users for a fee:

If a deal is reached, it would be a major change for YouTube, which has largely offered free content supported by advertising. It would also put YouTube, which is owned by Google, in direct competition with services from Netflix, Amazon and Apple, which allow users to buy or rent movies online.

YouTube, which already offers some older free movies on its site, is talking with Lions Gate Entertainment, Sony and Warner Brothers about making newer titles available on the site, the person said. Scott Rowe, a spokesman for Warner Brothers, declined to comment, and representatives for the other two studios were not immediately available.

YouTube Said to Consider Pay Movies (New York Times)

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