Google is considering the possibility of streaming full length television programmes via YouTube, a move that would mean the end of YouTube’s free content model, and put it on par with the BBC iPlayer, Channel 4 OD, ITV Player and, yes, Demand Five, albeit at a price.
Reports suggest that Google is in preliminary negotiations with TV broadcasters and the talks have been positive, albeit with a few stumbling blocks. Google wants to stream content rather than providing customers with downloads, although reports across the web claim TV bosses still want the same amount of money they get from services that offer downloads. As usual, it’s all about the pound note.
Google’s plans for YouTube wouldn’t just put them head to head with broadcasters’ own services though, it’d see the Big G go head to head with Apple, which offers TV downloads through iTunes and Apple TV. Amazon might also be a bit miffed, as it’s busy hawking TV shows in the States, offering downloads of TV shows the day after they air.
YouTube recently partnered up with Channel 4 and now has thousands of hours of the broadcaster’s content on its site, for free but with advertising. Presumably, the paid-content idea would mirror the Channel 4 set up, except that we’d have to pay, which doesn’t sound nearly as exciting. Sure, we all love TV on demand via the web – but do you really want to pay for it?
