Get ready. Google via YouTube is poking a big digital toe into local tv broadcast. This article from Ars Technica talks about YouTube’s recent content distribution deal with “independently owned TV broadcaster” Hearst-Argyle Television.
The agreement with Hearst-Argyle Television will put local TV programming from five markets—Boston, Manchester, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore—onto dedicated channels on YouTube. The revenue sharing agreement is the first of such between YouTube and an independent TV station, according to the companies.
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Although the majority of the currently-available content appears to be in the form of news clips, other local content available through the Hearst-Argyle channels will be weather, “entertainment videos,” local high school sports, other local TV shows, and local amateur entertainment.
Do you or anyone see this as a problem? I don’t think YouTube showing local weather and sportscasting will blur the line between tv and internet broadcasting but then again I am not the expert here.
Comment by David T. — June 24, 2007 @ 10:55 am