When you’ve completely taken over the world of amateur video sharing, you’ve got to make a move for something bigger. In YouTube’s case, that step up will be in the form of full-length films. According to Bloomberg, Sony Corp. is working with Google Inc. to get feature films up and running on the site.
YouTube is well known for the ease with which any regular person can share his or her homemade video with millions of viewers. It seems unfair to put user-generated videos up against professional films. It’ll take away from the uniqueness of YouTube. But what YouTube users must realize is that the site isn’t that unique anymore. There are tons of ways to invade the Internet with your personal videos – Facebook, MySpace, personal blogs, etc. And now, with sites like Hulu and Crackle, you can see your favorite television shows and movies at the click of a mouse as well. YouTube had to make a move.
Sony Pictures is offering 60 older films like Stripes and Groundhog Day in addition to some vintage television shows. The article mentions that forking up these older items is a way to appease fans and deter them from committing acts of piracy. Are they kidding? Look what happened with online music. Yes, tons of people purchase music via iTunes, but millions still download content illegally for free. Being nabbed for stealing digital media is as farfetched a concept as being visited by E.T.
The only thing that will come from this deal is publicity. YouTube will get more hits on the site and have more advertising opportunities and Sony will have the chance to dust of old-timers and get them some viewers.
