YouTube to Post MGM Full-Length Films and TV Shows

For a couple of years, YouTube has been what I would like to classify as a "semi-monopoly" on the Internet for video sharing. It's hard to believe that YouTube is still even considering the idea of coming up with new ways they could boost their advertising revenue, but they are still going at it. However, they are owned by Google so I suppose we shouldn't be too surprised - I mean even McDonald's, the leading fast food chain of the entire world (unless I've got my facts mixed up), still plays commercials on TV to try to get people to come in and buy their cheapo food.

Back on topic, YouTube, the video-sharing site everyone has grown to love and adore, told Reuters ("The Hollywood Reporter") on Sunday (Nov. 10, 2008), that they will now show professionally programed full-length television shows and films from the MGM distributor. If you don't remember, or if you never heard about it, back in October, YouTube also formed an alliance with CBS to post full-length TV shows from the archives, like "Beverly Hills, 90210".

What films has MGM released, you may ask? Think "Legally Blonde", "Bulletproof Monk", many (if not all?) of the James Bond films, "Kingpin", and even classics like "The Magnificent Seven". There's no official word (that I know of) if they'll be putting up only select films or a majority of the films they've distributed but I think it's safe to say that something big is brewing in the YouTube lab.

As for official releases, according to The Hollywood Reporter, "MGM Studios will kick off the partnership by posting episodes of its decade-old "American Gladiators" program to YouTube on one channel. On another channel, MGM will post full-length action films like "Bulletproof Monk" and "The Magnificent Seven" and clips from popular movies like "Legally Blonde." These will be free to watch, with ads running alongside the video."

I had been wondering when YouTube would make this move. It's taken a while but they've finally reached the point where they want to start cutting deals with major distributors and get a lot more professional content running on the site. Hulu has been doing something like this for a while now, but mainly focused on Fox programs (as far as I can tell). Fox is the network that has all of the good stuff right now, so I am very content with that!

Nonetheless, it seems that YouTube may be getting a little weary and upping the game for sites that are focusing on this concept of professional programing. A little competition can be a great thing for us viewers!

It almost reminds me of a "TV on demand" concept, but on the internet. Great idea, if you ask me!

Sources

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i2a6531019c4147a6d63ee7eba2fde601

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i2a6531019c4147a6d63ee7eba2fde601