Pay per view on YouTube agenda

For some time, YouTube has been experimenting on a small scale with the idea of providing pay per view services. It is perhaps unsurprising that the video site, owned by Google, is drawing up plans to extend its per pay view ideas to bring the film industry into the modern age.

At the moment, reports are suggesting that Google is negotiating with film studios in order to stream movies online for a fee. So far, a price of around $5 for each movie has been stipulated. Any move that Google makes in this market is likely to initially take place in the US before it is rolled out more widely.

Already currently operating in this market are one or two of Google’s rivals. Netflix already streams movies online within the boundaries of certain agreements it has made with television and film studios in the US. Apple is currently lining up plans to go ahead with a scheme whereby users can watch television shows for 99 cents on Apple TV.

The news that YouTube is now to enter the arena could mark the beginning of a difficult period for Netflix and Apple TV due to the strength of the YouTube and Google brands.