YouTube has had movies available for a long time, but for quite a while, it was mostly just old stuff that wasn’t too much in demand, but then in May, they announced that they were doubling their movie offerings, and including new releases, which it would charge users for. Essentially, YouTube entered the movie rental business.
Later, they added the service in Canada.
Google announced today that over 1,000 full-length feature films are now available on YouTube in the UK as well.
“We’ve got some cracking films to keep everyone entertained through the upcoming winter months and beyond,” says YouTube Business Product Manager Matteo Vallone. “From blockbusters like The Dark Knight and Reservoir Dogs, to new releases such as Hanna, Fast Five, and Red Riding Hood, and even British classics like Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.”
“There’s always more to explore on YouTube,” Vallone adds. “Many movie pages also feature YouTube Movie Extras with free behind-the-scenes videos, cast interviews, parodies, clips and remixes from YouTube’s unique community of content creators. Over time we’ll also be adding additional videos and features to YouTube Movie Extras so that you can get even more into movies on YouTube.”
According to recent reports, Google is spending about $100 million to develop new original content for YouTube.