Channel 4 has signed a landmark deal with YouTube, becoming the first broadcaster worldwide to make full-length TV shows such as
Skins, Hollyoaks and Peep Show available to users of the Google-owned video-sharing website.
The deal, which has been under negotiation for the last six months, will see Channel 4 make its existing 4oD online video catch-up service available via YouTube shortly after shows have aired on TV.
YouTube users can watch the shows free of charge, with Channel 4 to sell the advertising around the content. The broadcaster will also make available 3,000 hours of archive programming including shows such as Brass Eye, Derren Brown and Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares.
The deal has been struck for an initial period of three years with Channel 4 and YouTube sharing ad revenues "on an agreed formula". Channel 4 said that the agreement will also see it sell ads around some non-Channel 4 content on YouTube for the first time.
"Making our programmes directly accessible to YouTube's 20 million UK users will financially benefit both Channel 4 and our independent production partners and help bolster our investment in quality British content," said Andy Duncan, the Channel 4 chief executive.
"It demonstrates our ability to strike dynamic commercial partnerships to help underpin our future as a commercially funded, not-for-profit multi-platform public service network."
Channel 4's TV shows will be fully available via YouTube in early 2010. The deal is non-exclusive, allowing Channel 4 to continue distributing its 4oD service via its own website, Channel4.com, and other third-party sites and services
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.