YouTube teams up with the BBC

Short clips of forthcoming BBC programmes such as Doctor Who and Spooks will soon be appearing on YouTube.

However, this move isn't going to get the popular video-sharing website, owned by Google, into trouble, as it has been officially sanctioned by the BBC.

The two companies have teamed up to provide preview trailers and specially commissioned promotional content to YouTube's visitors.

Chad Hurley, chief executive of YouTube, said: "The BBC is a premier source for quality programming, and we're excited that they are leading the way in enabling two-way dialogue and real engagement with an entirely new audience."

The BBC intends to offer on-demand content over the internet in the near future, having had its plans approved by the BBC Trust and industry watchdog Ofcom. The BBC wants to allow viewers to get a taste of what it is offering on YouTube's site, where they will be able to click on a link to take them through to the BBC's iPlayer service once it is up and running.

"It's essential that the BBC embraces new ways of reaching wider audiences with non-exclusive partnerships such as these," said Mark Thompson, director-general of the BBC.

There will be two BBC-branded channels on YouTube. The first will concentrate on providing trailers and features for forthcoming shows, and the second, BBC Worldwide, will show clips of already-broadcast content and will feature a "limited amount" of advertising, according to the BBC.

Analysts see the move as an attempt by the BBC to tap into audiences they have previously been unable to reach.

"As premium content is not available at launch, we consider that the primary motives for the partnership for the BBC at present are to use the platform as a promotions vehicle rather than as a platform to generate substantial revenue.

"The move might also help push the BBC brand into markets where it has not had a large foothold – such as in North America – where YouTube’s presence online is considerably strong," said Datamonitor analyst Chris Khouri.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/

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