YouTube Video ‘Channels’ Rumored to Green Light Next Week
The popular video uploading website, YouTube is rumored to announce as early as next week that it will be partnering with various media companies and well-known personalities to create original content for channels.
Sources familiar with the project told the Wall Street Journal that YouTube is expected to announce that major media companies such as NewsCorp’s ShineReveille unit and RTL Group’s FreemantleMedia Ltd. Skateboard ledgend Tony Hawk and “CSI” creator Anthony Zuiker are also rumored to be on board with the exclusive content plan.
The unnamed sources told the Wall Street Journal that YouTube is trying to create new and free online “channels with professional grade shows in order to compete with the changing demands of the TV- watching public. Google Inc., the website’s owner, is putting out more than $100 million in cash advances to fund some of the projects. The company plans to recoup the funds through advertising revenue.
There is estimated to be about 20 different channels offering original, on-demand content that cover categories such as food, comedy and news. YouTube executives are asking partners to produce original, unique shows that don’t just mimic what can already be seen on TV.
YouTube is trying to position itself to be a top contender for the rise of television and cable set-top boxes that allow viewers to watch online videos on demand. With the popularity of content streaming boxes like Apple TV 2 and Roku, it is no wonder that YouTube is opening the doors to this kind of viewing model.