YouTube Adds Full Episodes, Movies

SAN BRUNO: YouTube has linked up with a range of content providers, including Sony, CBS, MGM and Lionsgate, to provide full-length TV shows and movies, supported by the video-sharing site’s new ad service.

"This addition is one of many efforts underway to ensure that we’re offering you all the different kinds of video you want to see, from bedroom vlogs and citizen journalism reports to music videos and full-length films and TV shows," Shiva Rajaram, the product manager of YouTube, and Sara Pollack, the entertainment marketing manager, said in unveiling the new offering.

The content will be housed under the new "Shows" tab, where uses can access videos by genre, network, title and popularity. YouTube has also formally rolled out a new ad service, which it has been testing since October. Ads will be placed in front of, during and after TV shows and movies. Ad revenues will be shared with the content providers. Additional TV shows and movies will be rolled out in the future. At present, the content is only available to users in the U.S.  "We look forward to expanding to other regions as soon as possible," the company said.