Google Considering Pay-Per-View Service for YouTube
Posted 08/30/2010 at 11:34am
| by Seamus Bellamy

With Netflix raking in the dough, and fan favorites Apple and Hulu both pondering pay-per-use models for streaming video content, it comes as no surprise that Google also wants a slice of that sweet, sweet pay-per-view video cake. If the folks at Fast Times have it right, the company is considering how they could implement pay-per-use services on YouTube.
It's reported that Google is currently negotiating with a number of media oulets--including CBS, NBC and Fox--for the right to serve up their wares online to millions of YouTube viewers. The talks have intensified in the last few weeks as the rumors of Apple's own streaming service set to coincide with the possible launch of a revamped Apple TV/iTV. With a video rental service already in place on YouTube since January, it wouldn't be a big stretch for Google to implement the service, as the infrastructure already exists--all they're missing are the licensing rights.
With so many upcoming options for viewers to reap their streaming media from, the best entertainment out there might not be anything we can download: It'll be watching who wins and who loses the streaming media war.
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