Warner Bros. and Turner Broadcasting are the latest to come to terms with YouTube, allowing the online video sensation to stream clips from their shows and movies.
The pact, done through the home entertainment and television divisions, is aimed at driving digital sales of Warner movies and TV shows online, the company said. Links on some WB shows already on the site point users directly to WBshop.com, where they can buy DVDs of what they’re watching.
Warner said it will offer clips of everything from CNN news programs to Cartoon Network shows and WB TV hit “Gossip Girl” on a number of different Warner-branded channels on the site.
I don’t understand why they only want to show clips. CBS, Sony Pictures, and Starz run complete episodes and movies on the site, which are supported by pop-up ads and brief commercials. That’s no reason to complain, obviously, as you’re getting the content free of charge. Perhaps they are being cautious, as production companies and networks are waiting for a data-tracking system that tallies television, cell phone, and Internet audiences. Warner Bros. and Turner can then gauge if the audience is large enough online and soon proceed to show full-length features and episodes.
