When unlicensed videos appear on a big online video site, the word "lawsuit" usually comes to mind. But in the case of the BBC and Google Video, the ending looks to be a lot happier, and a lot less legally sticky.
Google Video currently has a handful of clips from British comedies available for users to watch for free, without the explicit and official consent of the content owner, the BBC. In a response that is a bit different from what many have come to expect, the BBC and BBC Worldwide are expected to close a deal with Google to offer even more content on the site. The deal will probably involve Google-owned YouTube as well.
Instead of a bunch of short clips, the deal would bring full-length episodes in higher quality to Google Video and YouTube users.
BBC Worldwide is said to be mulling over the details of a potential agreement. This includes contextual advertising revenue sharing between the two parties.
As of Monday, it was unclear whether or not the deal would include just the UK version of Google Video, or the U.S. version of the site as well. The U.S. version offers pay-per-view and pay-per-download options to its users, which would give BBC Worldwide more options to choose from and consider.
YouTube has deals similar to this one in place with the likes of CBS, whose videos of its primetime and late-night shows have seen a good deal of time at the top of the daily most popular lists.
This deal, though far from mind-blowing, perpetuates the infatuation that big media companies seem to be exhibiting for online video. Whether it is primarily for specific promotional objectives or for the support of its mainstay brand, big networks stateside and overseas are quickly warming up to the idea of holding hands with online video sites that were once their pirate enemies.
As this trend continues, it will become easier to see just how justified this enthusiasm for the financial potential in online video is.
Sources:
http://technology.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,
1996280,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=20
http://www.webpronews.com/topnews/topnews/wpn-
60-20070122BBCGoogleVideoNearDeal.html
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