[ 2011-05-11 ]

YouTube adds film rentals to video footage
YouTube is adding more than 3,000 movies to rent
on its site, including recent blockbusters such as
Inception and The King’s Speech, priced at an
average of $2.99 (£1.83).

Many of the films will be available at the same
time as DVD releases, although only users in the
United States can access the service initially.
In addition, hundreds of movies will also be
available to watch for free, like the millions of
other video clips on the site.

After users have upgraded their YouTube accounts
they can pay to watch a movie within 30 days.
Viewing must be completed within 24 hours.

YouTube has signed deals with major studios
including Warner Bros, Sony Pictures, Universal
Pictures and Lions Gate Entertainment before
launching the service.

Hollywood is slowly warming to the idea of using
social media not just for marketing but as a
potential new distribution outlet in addition to
cinemas and pay TV.

Warner Bros recently started experimenting with
releasing some of its popular titles to rent on
Facebook.

Another feature is YouTube Movie Extras, similar
to DVD extras with behind-the-scenes videos, cast
interviews, parodies and remixes made by YouTube
users.

YouTube is aiming to increase the amount of
professionally made video on the site to remain
competitive with rivals such as Hulu and websites
of US television networks.

Source - The Times(UK)

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