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Fremantle seals YouTube deal

The old tube gets another reminder it is not the monopoly it once was, as FremantleMedia says it will produce content for YouTube.

European media giant FremantleMedia has agreed to a deal to produce programs to be shown exclusively on YouTube and to split revenues with the video-sharing site.

Fremantle said the deal would seal a partnership that has already begun with Fremantle YouTube channels for shows such The X Factor and Hole In The Wall.

“Following a period of creative experimentation, FremantleMedia is cementing its relationship with us for content distribution,” Patrick Walker, YouTube’s director of video partnerships in Europe, the Middle East and Asia said on Monday.

Fremantle will use YouTube’s video ID technology, which recognises and scans YouTube for copyright-infringing video and then allows the copyright holder to block the video, leave it there to promote the content or place ads next to it.

Claire Tavernier, head of Fremantle’s FMX new media division, said the deal offered a chance to make money for the first time from showing Fremantle content on YouTube, as well as the opportunity to have YouTube promote its programs.

The American Idol website alone made $US13 million last year.

No word yet if the content will be geo-blocked to shut out Aussie viewers.

YouTube has also been experimenting with full-length shows for some months with HBO and Showtime as it competes with Hulu. It will soon add will show full-length television shows and films from MGM’s archives too.

Source: ABC / ReutersHollywood Reporter

4 Responses

  1. I hate geo blocking. Hulu and similar sites should be available for everyone. Our FTA networks offer limited video streaming of full episodes, usually episodes of the local police drama of the month.

  2. I hate GEO Blocking – CBS puts up entire episodes of Beverly Hills 90210 (the original) on YouTube but anyone outside of the US can’t watch – stupid regional copyright laws 🙁

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