Since Google took offer we've been closely following YouTube and waiting for the big changes that the web giants have been hinting at. So far this year, they've announced plans to create channels of videos in an attempt to increase viewer retention and they've brought in experts to improve the quality of footage from smartphones. The changes come as part of Google's masterplan to reinvent YouTube from a purely self-broadcasting network to the home for all internet video content (bar porn) Google's own Google videos is no more and thus there is nowhere to watch lengthy documentaries and old movies.
But YouTube is set to fill the void (and then some) with its new movie-on-demand service. As soon as the latest blockbusters are released on DVD they'll hit YouTube. It's a been a long time coming and many film fans will be thrilled by the news. But of course the problem is how many people have good quality monitors? This type of service will grow in popularity when we see TV/PC sync become a standard in-home feature.
So far Sony Pictures Entertainment, Warner Brothers and Universal have give YouTube the nod whilst Paramount, Fox and Disney are not yet persuaded of the virtues of the new platform. I wonder if the likes of HBO will get involved and give us a legal, reliable place to watch the big US TV shows?
Google said, "We’ve steadily been adding more and more titles since launching movies for rent on YouTube over a year ago, and now have thousands of titles available.” Pricing is yet to be announced for the service but for an idea, see Apple's iTunes rental service.