YouTube signing the bit players

Janet Babin Mar 2, 2007

TEXT OF STORY

SCOTT JAGOW: Google has had quite a time trying to get the big studios and TV companies to allow their content on YouTube. But it appears smaller players are making deals with Google. Janet Babin reports from our Innovations Desk at North Carolina Public Radio


JANET BABIN: Smaller media companies apparently want their content on YouTube.

The New York Times says the video-sharing site has secured deals with about 1,000 content owners, including the Sundance Channel and the NBA. Also today the BBC announced that it would show news clips and trailers on YouTube.

Porter Bibb with Media Tech Capital Partners says the smaller deals help, but don’t expect to watch a€œThe Daily Showa€ on YouTube any time soon:

PORTER BIBB: It’s a nice counterpunch, but I don’t think it’s going to be enough to persuade the major content providers to start allowing Google to carry their serious professional product.

Bibb says the major content players are holding out for top dollar from YouTube’s ad revenue.

I’m Janet Babin for Marketplace.

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