BBC shows could appear on YouTube

Although you can already find complete BBC programmes to view (or in the case of Google Video, download for your iPod) on User-generated content portals such as YouTube, they are not authorised by the BBC and have been posted by fans. In fact YouTube actively seeks and destroys any unofficial content in fear of being fined by corporations, following a law suit in Japan last year. News today however suggests that the BBC are considering joining the likes of NBC in creating official BBC channels on YouTube - how this may effect license fees or advertising is yet to be seen but it would certainly be a great step in helping to deliver our programmes to a wider audience. Its always nice when activity which is seen as illegal eventually paves the way, and is replaced by exactly the same activity but under the banner of "Legal" or "Official". Media Pirates may cause a lot of financial damage to the broascast industry but the industries insights and future planning helps to ensure that, if were not one step ahead of the game, we're at least jogging to keep up.
- Paul Williams

News today on broadcast.co.uk. By Susan Thompson
The BBC is in talks with Google about making some of its programming available on online video site YouTube.

BBC Worldwide is also involved in negotiations and is understood to be looking at commercial options such as a share of revenues obtained from advertising run alongside BBC programming.

If a deal is brokered the BBC will join US networks such as NBC, which launched a branded YouTube channel last June and CBS, which uploads programming clips such as The Letterman Show.

Last July, Google also launched country-specific versions of Google Video in Europe, with content partners including ITN and IMG.

Major Hollywood studios, including NBC Universal and 20th Century Fox are also reportedly in negotiations with YouTube, to make their content legally available on the site.

Under Google, which bought YouTube for $1.65 billion last year, YouTube has made it clear it is keen that the site carries more authorized material and says it takes down copyrighted material as soon as it is noticed.

There are calls, however, for it to implement filtering mechanisms to keep unlawful material from even showing up.

A BBC spokeswoman said: "there is no deal and we are not commenting on market speculation."