YouTube Readying TV and Studio Movie Content

While YouTube has long been the internet's premier venue for amateur video, vlogs, and viral clips, the megasite is looking to expand its content. YouTube has been pounding out the details of several contracts with big media companies over the last couple weeks in an attempt to more effectively compete with TV sites like Hulu. Sony, CBS, MGM, Lionsgate, Starz, and the BBC, among others, look likely to license some of their content to YouTube. But who's footing the bill? Will every YouTube clip be covered in advertisements, Nascar style?

That is certainly a possibility. Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google and emperor of the internet, says that as far as monetizing the content goes their "first priority is on the advertising side." In fact, Google has long been fine tuning their video advertising methods. In addition to pre-roll and post-roll adds on "premium" content, YouTube might even insert ads into TV shows and movies like they do on TV.

That sort of leaves me asking how YouTube would be different than an actual TV set with on-demand service. Wouldn't YouTube just be an E-antenna at that point? And if the idea of constant commercials isn't unpleasant enough, Schmidt also indicated that micropayments are in the books for the future.

Not to get to worried though, YouTube is instituting the changes very slowly and carefully. And of course the good ol' YouTube, replete with cats flushing toilet videos and amateur movie mashups, will always be there for you. YouTube's proposed new site design will include one tab for YouTube as we now know it and another tab for TV shows and movies. The tabbed site is a safe approach that won't alienate longtime users--the last thing YouTube needs is a user revolt like we saw with FaceBook last month.

I think the new content is what will ultimately account for the success of NewYouTube. If the content ain't fresh, will YouTube continue to rule the videonets? Obviously not. So, with such 80s hits as The Blue Lagoon, St. Elmo's Fire, and TV classics like Married With Children and Charlie's Angels on their way to YouTube, will the kids even bother watching?

For the best places to get your video fix, read our reviews of the top ten TV internet websites.

More tech news and updates on YouTube's imperial ambitions:

YouTube Teaming with Sony?

YouTube, Universal to Build a “Hulu for Music”?

YouTube and Universal Music Group Deal?

Hulu Now No. 2 Video Site

Hulu Pulls Content from TV.com, Strikes First Blow in Battle Over Internet TV Market