Rappy Veteran Posted October 15, 2009 Veteran Share Posted October 15, 2009 Channel 4 has agreed a new deal with YouTube to make its 4oD catch-up service available for free on the streaming site. Launching in the "coming months", the arrangement will see all Channel 4 programming arrive on YouTube "shortly" after the televised transmissions. Users on the site will also be able to access over 3,000 hours of long-form content from the Channel 4 archive. This partnership marks the first time that a broadcaster has made its entire catch-up offering available on Google-owned YouTube, which last week reached the milestone of over one billion video streams a day. "Channel 4 was the first broadcaster anywhere in the world to make all its commissioned content available online and we've consistently pioneered in this field," said Channel 4 chief executive Andy Duncan. "This strategic partnership is another important milestone for us and we're delighted to be combining the power of the 4 brand and the appeal of our content with YouTube's unrivalled reach and reputation online. "Making our programmes directly accessible to YouTube's 20 million UK users will financially benefit both Channel 4 and our independent production partners and help bolster our investment in quality British content. It demonstrates our ability to strike dynamic commercial partnerships to help underpin our future as a commercially funded, not-for-profit multi-platform public service network." When 4oD fully launches on YouTube in early 2010, Channel 4 will use advertising to draw a revenue stream from the free-to-view content. However, the deal is non-exclusive, meaning that the catch-up service will remain available on Channel's 4's own website and third-party platforms. Channel 4 director of future media and technology Jon Gisby said: "Channel 4 has a clear lead among commercial broadcasters in video on demand and we're convinced extending our relationship with YouTube will help consolidate that position. "The deal will grow our share of the audience and enhance our advertising sales proposition. It will create new advertising inventory for Channel 4 Sales in digital media and will help us realise our ambition to be the UK's leading sales house for video on demand." YouTube director of partnerships Patrick Walker added: "We know that the YouTube community is enthusiastic about full-length programming on the site, and we've been working hard to create the right environment for more broadcasters to make their content available with the right branding, the right advertising formats and the right level of control over advertising sales. "This partnership demonstrates our commitment to bringing an even greater range of content to YouTube and we look forward to other similar agreements to come." Digital Spy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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