Monday, May 9, 2011

YouTube Adds Movie Rentals

Google's online video sharing site YouTube, said today that it has inked a deal to add around 3,000 movie titles for rent through the site, as it looks to broaden its offerings from the amateur, web-based videos its is known for towards more traditional, professional content. YouTube said its online movie service will also offer up short movie trailers, reviews, and behind-the-scene movie extras through the service. YouTube did not say what movies it is adding, but said it has deals with NBC Universal, Sony Pictures and Warner Brothers to offer up the films. The firm also mentioned it is bolstering professional content from such firms like Los Angeles-based Machinima, via a effort called YouTube Next. That effort will provide funding grants and other resources to help users create videos for the site.