Video sharing website YouTube has begun streaming full-length television series to UK users

TV embraces world's biggest video-sharing site...only takes four years to do it

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23 Nov 2009 :
Video sharing website YouTube has begun streaming full-length television series to UK users, following its deal with Channel 4 in October.

According to Google, the Shows section of YouTube offers 4,000 full-length programmes from 60 partners including Channel 4, ITN, BBC Worldwide and Al Jazeera.

Google plans to add more partners in the coming months, with Channel 4 indicating it will also continue to do deals with other services. The broadcaster will continue serving videos from its own catchup service, 4oD.

Channel 4's full back catalogue won't make its way to YouTube until 2010, though Father Ted and Brass Eye are among those already available.

The shows are free, but they feature a non-skippable 30-second advert that plays before the programme begins. The companies have confirmed they will share ad revenues generated by the service, though details of the deal were not disclosed.

"The YouTube community has always enjoyed the vibrant range of video on the site, from amateur make-up videos to professional TV highlights and everything inbetween," says YouTube director of video partnerships Patrick Walker.

"The Shows section of the site will make it easier for users to discover videos from the biggest names in British broadcasting, and help our content partners reach new audiences and generate new revenues."