19 November 2009 | Author: K. Todd Search Copywriter

YouTube to host full-length television episodes

YouTube fans in the United Kingdom now have the chance to watch their favourite television shows on the internet, as the video sharing site turns its attention to offering full-length programmes to viewers who choose to do most of their television watching online.

Now rivalling the BBC's iPlayer, which has proven to be an immensely popular addition to the broadcaster's website, YouTube - whose parent company is none other than Mountain View search colossus, Google - has already signed 60 partners to its service, which is available on a new page on the YouTube site. The partners, which include Channel 4, will likely be hoping that the move to the internet will allow them to continue reaping the rewards from advertising.

The online video site has launched 5,000 videos already, with 4,000 of them being full-length programmes - which is bound to be a welcome change from the website's current offering of 10 minute long clips. What's more, viewers will be able to tune into popular shows like Peep Show, Gordon Ramsay's F Word and soaps like Hollyoaks, meaning there's plenty of diversity when it comes to appealing to a wide audience.

The service is completely free to use and will make its money through advertising, which will be another happy extra. According to the Guardian, Patrick Walker, YouTube's video partnerships director, said that the service would highlight British television and help viewers catch up on their favourite shows.

"The shows section of the site will make it easier for users to discover videos from the biggest names in British broadcasting, and help our content partners reach new audiences and generate new revenues," he said.

It'll be interesting to see how the BBC's iPlayer will respond to this sudden rival, particularly given YouTube's already impressive web presence.