VIDEO SHARING website YouTube will show full-length films from the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Hollywood studios after signing a partnership that is aimed at boosting revenue for the two companies.
This deal will lead to a video-on-demand channel called Impact that will be dedicated exclusively to TV shows, clips and films such as Rocky, Ronin, Legally Blonde, and The Magnificent Seven.
Others will include Lone Wolfe McQuade and Bulletproof Monk, as well as those starring the actor Chuck Norris.
“I think it will grow into a nice little business,” said Jim Packer, co-president of MGM Worldwide Television.
He told the that YouTube made an ideal partner because of its 280 million monthly users.
“I think YouTube has something that a lot of sites don’t have. They have a lot of people walking through their front door everyday. And if they are smart in how they grow this, YouTube should have a successful business also,” he said.
The videos, which initially will only be available in the US, until rights issues in other countries are cleared, will cost users nothing to download but will contain advertising.
Under an agreement YouTube has already signed with other companies, allowing users to download classic TV shows such as Star Trek, MacGyver, and Beverly Hills 90210.
The video sharing website also has other arrangements in place with companies like the BBC, Sony, Lionsgate and Oprah.
YouTube said that striking a deal with MGM made sense given its commitment to deliver premium content online.
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