YouTube could offer subscription service
Susan Boyle's Britain's Got Talent video was the most watched video
Wednesday, 16, Dec 2009 12:49
YouTube could start to offer users of the site a subscription service to watch new TV shows and films online.
Meanwhile, YouTube has announced Susan Boyle's Britain's Got Talent video was the most watched video, globally, on the site this year, with over 120 million views.
In an interview with Reuters, Google executive David Eun said a paid subscription was an option for the broadcasting site. "We're making some interesting bets on long-form content; not all content is accessible to us with the advertising model," he explained.
The site is currently free for users, raising funds through advertising. But the site is hoping to tempt broadcasters, in particular in Hollywood, that by raising subscriptions it will be worth their while putting content on the site.
On its blog today, YouTube said: "This year has been the biggest yet for online video, and for the first time we're sharing our official Most Watched lists and some of the fastest-rising search terms on YouTube.
"Some moments were big (President Obama's inauguration), some small (a Minnesota wedding party erupts into dance), some expected ('New Moon'), some surprising (Susan Boyle) - but all of them inspired, entertained and connected millions of people around the world via YouTube."
The Most Watched YouTube videos (Global) this year according to YouTube were:
1. Susan Boyle - Britain's Got Talent (120+ million views)
2. David After Dentist (37+ million views)
3. JK Wedding Entrance Dance (33+ million views)
4. New Moon Movie Trailer (31+ million views)
5. Evian Roller Babies (27+ million views)
While the Fastest Rising YouTube search terms by month (Global) according to the site were:
January: inauguration
February: christian bale
March: the climb
April: susan boyle
May: pacquiao vs hatton
June: michael jackson thriller
July: michael jackson
August: usain bolt
September: kanye west
October: paranormal activity
November: bad romance
December: tiger woods