International broadcasting giant BBC and user-generated content site YouTube announced Friday an innovative partnership where the BBC will provide content for special “channels” on the Google-owned Web site.
The deal comes just weeks after a similar arrangement struck by U.S. cable operator Comcast Corp. and Facebook, and is part of an emerging trend whereby network owners embrace non-traditional content and distribution options, to keep viewers tuned in.
The deal calls for YouTube to include three BBC channels of which two are entertainment channels showing short-form videos, while the third will be a dedicated channel for BCC News clips.
The duo said the partnership reflects YouTube's commitment to work with content owners to make compelling video accessible online, and the BBC's commitment to increase reach through the partnership, to bring new audiences to the proposed BBC iPlayer service, and to secure commercial revenue via BBC Worldwide, its commercial subsidiary, to supplement the license fee.
Users will be able to comment on clips, rate them, recommend them to friends and post their own video responses to communicate with the BBC and others.
“YouTube is a key gateway through which to engage new audiences in the U.K. and abroad,” said Mark Thompson, the BBC’s director general. "The partnership provides both a creative outlet for a range of short-form content from BBC program makers and the opportunity to learn about new forms of audience behavior.”
"It's essential that the BBC embraces new ways of reaching wider audiences with non-exclusive partnerships such as these," he added.
Clips on BBC News (available to users outside the U.K. only) and BBC Worldwide will benefit from Google and YouTube's advertising platforms, generating new revenue for investment in BBC program development and creation. Advertising will be governed by a comprehensive set of guidelines.
BBC www.bbc.com
YouTube www.youtube.com
