Andre Yoskowitz
11 Oct 2008 17:03
Google has announced that it will begin offering full-length TV episodes through its YouTube platform beginning this week, thanks to a content deal with CBS.
“This is what the users want,” noted Jordan Hoffner, the director of content partnerships for YouTube.
The videos will of course be free to YouTube users but will have advertisement before, during and after the episode, similar to rival video site Hulu which promotes NBC Universal content.
Shiva Rajaraman, a senior product manager for YouTube, added that the company is still searching for the "right ad format for the right content experience.” For the time being it remains committed to in-video overlays for short clips but is still experimenting with longer videos.
Users heading to the CBS page on YouTube will find classic shows such as “MacGyver” and "Beverly Hills: 90120" as well as newer shows such as “Dexter” and “Californication.”