Although YouTube has been offering movie rentals for a while now, very few people have been using the service. But maybe, just maybe, getting the major Hollywood studios on board, and offering newer movies, will make a difference. Yes, that should do it.
YouTube Movie Rentals
YouTube began offering movies for rent at the beginning of 2010 in partnership with the Sundance Film Festival. Thanks to that connection the films were all independent offerings, but the results of the experiment were good enough for YouTube to open the store permanently.
In May of that year YouTube Partners were added to the mix, and in August rumors abounded of negotiations taking place between YouTube and the major Hollywood studios which would see big, new releases added to the service.
Lo and behold, this week saw the following news emerge…
Hollywood On Board?
According to sources speaking to The Wrap (and verified by AllThingsD), Sony, Warner Bros., and Universal have all signed on the dotted line. The deals mean mainstream movies would be offered on YouTube within the DVD release window.
There are still some big names missing, with Fox, Paramount, and Disney holding out for reasons unknown. The question is whether YouTube will (re)launch without them or wait until it has the full backing of the Hollywood studios.
There is also no mention of pricing, but the previous rumors suggested $5-a-pop for a one-off stream.
Conclusions
If true then this is quite an achievement for the behind-the-scenes negotiating powers of those cats at YouTube. Because it would mean the site has evolved from a piracy-heavy thorn in the side of Hollywood to one fighting alongside the movie industry.
The sources are too strong and too plentiful to be ignored, but until YouTube actually announces this is happening, I remain somewhat skeptical.
