You can order them on your pay-per-view provider the same day as they hit DVD and Blu Ray. So why not be able to pay to stream them as well?
That’s the thinking behind YouTube’s latest potential venture. The streaming web site is negotiating with Hollywood to offer streaming movies through its popular service, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Consumers would pay for the films they wanted and be able to stream them for a set amount of time, similar to renting a movie via the on-demand option from their cable or satellite provider.
Where YouTube is looking to make some in-roads over streaming competitors like Netflix is offering new movies on-demand as soon as they’re released by studios. According to reports, Sony, Warners and Lionsgate are among studios discussing potential agreements with YouTube modeled after their respective PPV pacts.
The talks started about two months ago, but the parties have failed to agree on financial terms and other details. None of the parties would confirm the talks for the record when word of the discussions circulated Wednesday, but spokesmen for YouTube and Lionsgate acknowledged an interest in the area.
“While we don’t comment on rumor or speculation, we hope to expand on both our great relationship with movie studios and on the selection and types of videos we offer our community,” a YouTube spokesman said.
Said a Lionsgate rep, “We’re always exploring alternatives for monetizing our content in a digital environment.”
It’s unlikely that YouTube would offer ad-supported, free streaming films like it does with television episodes.
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