Verizon, YouTube Aim To Bring Web Videos To Cellphones, TV

Verizon Wireless is in advanced talks to include YouTube videos on its service, according to the WSJ. “Under the terms being discussed, customers of Verizon Wireless — Verizon’s joint venture with Vodafone Group PLC — would be able to view some YouTube videos on their cellphones through the carrier’s premium V Cast service, people familiar with the matter said. Verizon Wireless, like other cellular providers, has been adding video and data services to offset declining revenue from its calling plans.” There’s also plans to offer YouTube videos as part of an on-demand TV service Verizon is launching through fibre optic cables, and claims that YouTube is expected to seek similar deals with other wireless carriers.
“Under the terms being discussed, Verizon Wireless cellphone users would be able to access about 50 to 100 of the most popular videos on the YouTube Web site at any given time, people familiar with the matter said. Initially, Verizon cellphone users wouldn’t be able to post material of their own to the V Cast service but, by the end of the year, they would probably be able to upload video shot with a Verizon camera phone, a person with knowledge of the plan says.”
There’s no mention of any finances, except a note that if any money changed hands it would most likely be Verizon paying YouTube. I can see some people being happy their videos are now available to mobile phone users, while others being concerned that Verizon/Google are making money from their content without compensating them. If the service is offered as a promotional tool for V-Cast there shouldn’t be any problems, but as soon as revenue can be linked back to people watching a specific video there is likely to be some fuss — how much I don’t know.
Verizon was also reportedly hesitant about the deal because of copyright concerns surrounding YouTube’s content, but there’s no mention on whether Google offered an MS-style indemnification.

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