YouTube in Discussions to Offer Movie Rentals From Major Studios

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/09/02/youtube-in-discussions-to-offer-movie-rentals-from-major-studios/)

The Wall Street Journal reports (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125192241524880801.html) (subscription required) that YouTube is in discussions with several major movie studios to bring streaming movie rentals to the service.YouTube is talking to Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., Sony Corp., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. and Time Warner Inc.'s Warner Bros. about charging for new titles on the existing YouTube site. In some cases, these titles might be available on the site on the same day that they come out on DVD.Sources note that movies would likely be priced at approximately $3.99, comparable to movie rentals through Apple's iTunes Store. While details of the potential agreements reportedly vary from studio to studio, some agreements could allow for free, ad-supported distribution of movies.

It is unclear when the service would be publicly launched, although YouTube is reportedly planning a three-month testing period involving about 10,000 Google employees. That testing period was to begin early this month, but longer-than-expected negotiations with the movie studios involved have pushed the start of testing back by an undetermined amount.

Apple introduced (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/01/15/apple-announces-itunes-movie-rentals/) iTunes movie rentals in the U.S. in January 2008 and has added offerings in several other countries since that time. High-definition movie rentals debuted (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/01/15/apple-announces-appletv-take-2-price-drop/) on the Apple TV at the same time and were extended (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/03/19/apple-announces-release-of-hd-movie-sales-and-rentals-via-itunes/) on a limited basis to the iTunes Store in March of this year.

Article Link: YouTube in Discussions to Offer Movie Rentals From Major Studios (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/09/02/youtube-in-discussions-to-offer-movie-rentals-from-major-studios/)

[Dmac77]

Next from Google:

GoogleTunes

GoogleBook/GoogleBook Pro

Something made by Apple, but we're not trying to copy them. We're just a humble search company that is slowly expanding our internet empire.

Don

[KingYaba]

Call me old-fashioned but I'd rather rend a $1 DVD from RedBox and watch extra features along with the motion picture. YouTube rentals? No thanks.

[Jamo12]

Yet another way for Apple to make money. I'm so happy they do that stuff or else we wouldn't get such great products.
But nothing beats renting an actual DVD

[tabasco70]

I don't want them to clutter YouTube up even more with unnecessary movie streaming rentals.
There are plenty of places to do this already, no?

[Dmac77]

Call me old-fashioned but I'd rather rend a $1 DVD from RedBox and watch extra features along with the motion picture. YouTube rentals? No thanks.

Agreed, although my poison of choice is Blockbuster Online.

Yet another way for Apple to make money. I'm so happy they do that stuff or else we wouldn't get such great products.
But nothing beats renting an actual DVD

How does Apple benefit from this? Google owns YouTube? This could actually hurt Apple.

Don

[seashellz]

great;
I get enough hanging while watching 5 min UToob videos as it is-and Im on DSL they had better massively increase the size of the server farm

[zachwill]

The only way this will work is paying for movies not out on DVD yet and having advertising during movies that are already out on DVD.

[westernmass]

I can access my youtube via appletv that should be interesting.

[wheezy]

great;
I get enough hanging while watching 5 min UToob videos as it is-and Im on DSL they had better massively increase the size of the server farm

Ding! Youtube has the slowest servers, maybe it's all the traffic but google can afford to increase that cant' they? I've learned that it doesn't matter your connection, it's hard to start a clip on youtube and have it finish without a stutter.

[ravenvii]

Call me old-fashioned but I'd rather rend a $1 DVD from RedBox and watch extra features along with the motion picture. YouTube rentals? No thanks.

x2. Add Netflix to that, too.

Much, much cheaper, much, much more selection, and 90% of them has subtitles/closed captioning!

[jaw04005]

Wow. Google just wants to have their hand in every pie. Now, I'm even happier Schmidt left Apple's board.

[bobertoq]

Next from Google:

GoogleTunes

GoogleBook/GoogleBook Pro

Something made by Apple, but we're not trying to copy them. We're just a humble search company that is slowly expanding our internet empire.

DonI honestly wouldn't mind a GoogleTunes. I don't see how that is copying Apple. I don't see them making a GoogleBook.

On topic. I don't see myself buying/renting anything on YouTube. Others might but if I want to watch movies I go to the theater or rent them on on-demand.

[twoodcc]

i personally would not pay to watch movies on youtube. of course i haven't rented any on itunes either, but i might

[chewbaccacabra]

This doesn't sound like a good idea. When I think of Youtube I think of grainy low quality videos with bad sound. Not Hollywood blockbusters. They would never be my goto place to rent a $4 movie.:rolleyes:

[AidenShaw]

Wow. Google just wants to have their hand in every pie.

So true. Don't worry about Redmond, the real evil empire is in Mountain View....

[jtibbitt]

Apple introduced (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/01/15/apple-announces-itunes-movie-rentals/) iTunes movie rentals in the U.S. in January 2008 and has added offerings in several other countries since that time. High-definition movie rentals debuted (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/01/15/apple-announces-appletv-take-2-price-drop/) on the Apple TV at the same time and were extended (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/03/19/apple-announces-release-of-hd-movie-sales-and-rentals-via-itunes/) on a limited basis to the iTunes Store in March of this year.



Has anyone been trying out the Apple Itunes video rental? I've been looking for a movie streaming rental service that is quick and simple to use.

[Ericatomars]

you tube is just annoying now.. more crap then anything useful and could you imagine all the stupid/ annoying adds in the movie... no thank you. I rather watch a good movie on my blu ray dvd player, 42' HD tv

[thinkadrian]

Come one Sony and friends, don't **** up this time! Have EQUAL content in all regions and countries. The Internet has no borders.

[MacFly123]

you tube is just annoying now.. more crap then anything useful and could you imagine all the stupid/ annoying adds in the movie... no thank you. I rather watch a good movie on my blu ray dvd player, 42' HD tv

The only way this will work is paying for movies not out on DVD yet and having advertising during movies that are already out on DVD.

I am a film maker and I am ABSOLUTELY ANTI commercials in movies. MAN.... Talk about a perfect way to RUIN the vision I am trying to convey! Please don't ever let that happen! :rolleyes: :mad:

This doesn't sound like a good idea. When I think of Youtube I think of grainy low quality videos with bad sound. Not Hollywood blockbusters. They would never be my goto place to rent a $4 movie.:rolleyes:

If they did it, YouTube would really need to make some changes and crank things up. Even their "HD" looks like crap.

But I think they are already working on that. Just a month ago Google (which owns YouTube) bought this video compression company.

http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/08/05/google-acquires-video-compression-technology-company-on2-for-106-million/

I can see them tying this service into Android. Google is really trying to take over the world it seems like!

Has anyone been trying out the Apple Itunes video rental? I've been looking for a movie streaming rental service that is quick and simple to use.

I have the Apple TV and LOVE it. I rent movies on there pretty often. The only annoying thing is sometimes the studios don't let movies be rented until they are only for sale for like a month, and you only have 24 hours to watch them. But I think that is kind of standard in the "on demand" arena.

There is also still a LOT of untapped potential int he Apple TV. I hope Apple embraces that soon!

[wpc33]

You work in a video store!

I work in a ****** video store! I wanna rent a good movie!

[LethalWolfe]

Wow. Google just wants to have their hand in every pie.
And Apple doesn't?


Lethal

[andy721]

Sounds retarded think of something original at least. Every major company is doing that now then who to trust? I will never TRUST GOOGLE or YouTube.

[miketcool]

Wow. Google just wants to have their hand in every pie. Now, I'm even happier Schmidt left Apple's board.

So true. Don't worry about Redmond, the real evil empire is in Mountain View....

And Apple doesn't?

Of course Apple Computer, only wants to make computers, not consumer electronics. They don't want to replace record labels either and get into the music business. They just make computers. Sometimes a game console sure, or a PDA. Maybe a few web services, and media devices. "Hi-fi" stereo was a just a hobby, along with TV set top boxes, the first time around I mean. Why not a phone, tablet and email service. They can stream a few movies and sell them if they want. I liked that SCSI CD player and remote!

Hey! Leave them alone on the whole wireless router thing and backup system. You bet your aunt Bessie that is a two button mouse! And it shouldn't be news if they make ANOTHER digital camera, the first one was great! Apple Incorporated?? Ha ha, HA HA. Never in a million years would they start to get distracted from great computers. It will always just be Steve making Macintoshs and the great software that runs on them. You say they make software for Windows now too?

Maybe Apple IS in too many pies. We all know the taste of mass produced, readily available Apple pies. How many can you stomach?

http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/files/2009/05/mcdonalds-baked-apple-pie.jpg

[miketcool]

Sounds retarded think of something original at least. Every major company is doing that now then who to trust? I will never TRUST GOOGLE or YouTube.

Not every major corporation is allowing ECHELON black rooms to be installed on major network switches. You can be rest-assured, that this only makes AT&T more trustworthy. Please, be a better skeptic.

[The Phazer]

Very unlikely they'll have mobile rights, so don't expect this to appear on Android or the iPhone.

They will probably have a new player/video codec for this to the rest of the site anyway, since there's no way the studios will let them stream in Flash 7. None. Zip. Nada. I'd put money on SWF verfication and at least RMTPE being required, so that's Flash 9.015 at the very minimum.

Phazer

[iphones4evry1]

I hope they add the ability to purchase/rent and watch the movies on my iPhone/iPod from WiFi when I am not near a computer. That would be awesome. :):):) :apple:
(the same way that I can buy Tunes and Apps directly from my phone)

What would be super cool is if I can download a movie directly from my phone via WiFi while I am in the airport, switch the phone to airplane mode, and then watch the movie during the flight, and then 12 hours after I rented the movie, it auto-deletes.

[niuniu]

Or you could go to Demonoid and d/l the DVD or increasingly commonly, BR, to your HD, gratis ;)

Oddly enough, the gf and I walked past a shop called Moviebank last night, looked like a DVD rental place. I nearly dropped dead - image going into a shop and renting a DVD. Filling in that little form and giving your credit card details, maybe even bring in 2 forms of ID.

How ancient is that? Well they're still alive, so I guess the market is there, this Youtube service is bound to do well also I guess. It may have to compete with the remodelled Piratebay however, if it comes to fruition, I hear it's being taken over and will see a subscription model added.

[emulator]

Something made by Apple, but we're not trying to copy them. We're just a humble search company that is slowly expanding our internet empire.
damn right, apple invented everything. and the GSM phone.

[Stella]

So true. Don't worry about Redmond, the real evil empire is in Mountain View....

What Apple?

A lot of people would respond Apple - with their control freak nature and "Nothing but Apple" eco systems, while rejecting applications from the AppStore due minor and inconsistent reasons - i..,e those Bubbles look too much like Apple own.

[metalmaniac]

If they keep comments on, it's gonna be a crap rental service.

Just click on any vid, at random, and read. It's the cesspool of linguistic society. Can you imagine the User Reviews?

[brianadkins]

I hope they add the ability to purchase/rent and watch the movies on my iPhone/iPod from WiFi when I am not near a computer. That would be awesome. :):):) :apple:
(the same way that I can buy Tunes and Apps directly from my phone)

What would be super cool is if I can download a movie directly from my phone via WiFi while I am in the airport, switch the phone to airplane mode, and then watch the movie during the flight, and then 12 hours after I rented the movie, it auto-deletes.

What is stopping you from doing that today? You have just described the current iPhone rental functionality (except for the 12 hours part.... I think it's 24)

[freediverdude]

Who is going to want to pay $3.99 to rent a movie to watch on YouTube on their computer? I don't see this taking off. I think they need to rethink this. Maybe if they're thinking people with access to YouTube through set top boxes, but those people usually have access to other rental services with better quality. Just not seeing it.

[RyanR.]

No Way, why YOUTUBE... if anything they should start start a new server and site called THEYTUBE (corp., inc's., and ect)

I rent through iTunes on my macbook and have that hooked to my HDTV 720P. It works fine. I have wanted an :apple:TV for sometime but have been waiting for tangible media either BD/DVD to be able to play on it as well. Though that might happen this time, but MR says otherwise at this point...:rolleyes:

[QCassidy352]

What Apple?

A lot of people would respond Apple - with their control freak nature and "Nothing but Apple" eco systems, while rejecting applications from the AppStore due minor and inconsistent reasons - i..,e those Bubbles look too much like Apple own.

Excessive control over your own products/ecosystems is a totally different issue from expanding in to more and more markets.

[tgc]

Wow. Google just wants to have their hand in every pie. Now, I'm even happier Schmidt left Apple's board.

That's the nature of the beast!

ANY company on the stock market HAS to continually try to expand/improve it's business or shareholders stop buying.

This is probably a natural revolution. I don't think there's going to ever be the penetration of BLUE RAY DVD like DVD, the world will jump straight to digital files. Google would be stupid not to get into it.

There are potential (or vaporware?) technologies like RED RAY that if developed I think would change the face of the movie rental world.

I hope a company like Apple snaps it up and puts some of it's billions in cash reserves to develop/patent it then throw it into every mac/appletv.

[flottenheimer]

Charge $1.99 and you'll have me as a regular YouTube Cinema customer...

[Furrybeagle]

I actually think ad-supported movies would be extremely popular. I know plenty of people who watch movies and tv shows with chinese subtitles that are split up into 8 different pieces across 4 different video sites, even though they could rent the movie for cheap on iTunes or just buy the episodes.

It's not that these people don't want to pay for things, but I think that people are reluctant to spend money renting a movie if they may end up not liking it, or into a tv show if they're only going to watch it once. [disclaimer: I'm talking about college students... it's not like we're rolling in money.] As far as I can tell, a lot of people prefer the difficulty of navigating flash video sites because they're not forced into spending any money.

I think this is why something like Hulu has been so popular. We already know Google can make watching movies online extremely easy, so as long as they don't include too many ads (and let's be honest, next to the mess of cable tv this shouldn't be too hard), then I think this will take off.

[seashellz]

-this would explain the sudden appearance of ULTRA WIDE screens when you watch in HD (super panavision 2:75x1)


but I couldnt sit and watch a movie on my computer
and YT still has buffering problems on 5 min videos

[Bjohnson33]

But nothing beats renting an actual DVD

I really disagree with that! At least where I live, there are no RedBox options, and the most convenient DVD rental place has no organization at all for their movies. You seriously have to flip through hundreds of DVD cases looking for the specific movie you want, in the hopes that it's even there. Not having to do that again would be a welcome change!

[puffnstuff]

when will people learn that nobody wants to pay $3.99 per movie everyone rather pay a subscription fee.


Now the first company that can get new releases and a huge movie database streaming w/ a subscription fee is golden.

[tgc]

when will people learn that nobody wants to pay $3.99 per movie everyone rather pay a subscription fee.

When will people learn that not everyone falls into the same hole!?!

I watch 1-2 movies per month, max. Give me the $/movie option.

[booksacool1]

$4 USD for a movie rental is waaay too expensive. The local cinema charges the equivalent of $5 USD (students).