As tipped by SmartHouse Google is trying to stitch up a deal to use their YouTube investment to launch new TV and movie services direct to IP enabled TV’s, mobile phones, PC’s and notebooks.
Currently the search engine Company is in discussions with major Hollywood studios in an effort to secure contracts that will allow them to stream movies for a fee. Google will also sell advertising in and around the movie.
The move if successful will see Google go head to head with Apple with DVD release movies being sold for as low as US$3.99 or $5.99 Australian.
The Wall Street Journal claims that Google is currently talking to movie studios, Lions Gate Entertainment, Sony and Warner about integrating new titles into their existing YouTube offerings on a rental basis as soon as they are released to the DVD rental market. The move if successful will be a blow to Blockbuster who is currently attempting to launch their own movie streaming services.
Currently Samsung and Panasonic have IP enabled TV’s in the Australian market that are capable of streaming YouTube content today. So do Topfield with their new IceTV enabled media centre.
A YouTube spokesman said the company is always working to expand on “its great relationships with movie studios and on the selection and types of videos we offer our community.”
Google executives claim that negotiations are taking place however there are no guarantees a deal will be struck.
