YouTube to carry full-length Sony movies?
updated 08:50 am EDT, Mon April 6, 2009
YouTube in Sony Movie Talk
Google's video site YouTube is in discussions with Sony Pictures to carry the latter's full movies, a leak hints. Without mentioning sources, CNET asserts that YouTube hopes for a license to play the movies on its site. Most of the terms of the deal aren't specified, though expectations would likely see YouTube pressing for free, ad-sponsored versions of the movies. Neither company has agreed to comment on the slip.
The expansion would signal further efforts by YouTube to start generating money through professionally-made, long form content. It already carries music videos and short clips from multiple producers, including a recent deal with Disney for segments of ABC, Disney and ESPN shows, but has been limited to just a small group of MGM titles that include some movies and TV shows.
A formal agreement for Sony would give owners of mobile devices with full YouTube clients, like the iPhone and multiple HTC Touch series phones, access to whole movies for free or near-free as long as the movies themselves aren't deliberately excluded from non-web visitors.
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