Hot on the heels of YouTube's launch of 60 new original content channels, the BBC has announced that it will be partnering with Google's video service to present two of those. The UK broadcaster said it will introduce a nature channel, with content coming from its BBC Earth Productions unit, and a science channel featuring Top Gear presenter James May "and his crack team of scientists." The new portals will come online in 2013, and "Auntie Beeb" has also redesigned its six current YouTube stations and added new clips from Top Gear (season 18) and other original programs, too. All that comes along at the same time as the refreshed iPlayer -- another way the company's been creative with technology, lately.

Filed under: Internet, HD, Google

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Source: BBC

Google pulls in nearly $2 billion a year in YouTube advertising revenue, but that's still a drop in the bucket compared to the $60 billion earned by broadcast networks. To rely less on viral cat videos or "Gangnam Style" breakouts, the company has announced that it's advanced funds to content producers like Jamie Oliver and Michael Cera to create 60 new original channels in France, the UK, Germany and the US. That's in addition to the 100 channels it already created last year, and Mountain View also said it would take that original launch up a notch in 2013 by providing even more funds to the most successful efforts by artists like Jay Z and Amy Poehler. The company didn't say exactly how much cash would be raining down to all those channels stateside or abroad, but considering the amount it recently spent just marketing them, you may want to pull the trigger on that new cinema camera, after all.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HD

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Via: WSJ (subscription)

Source: YouTube Blog

Google's about to expand its original content experiment by spreading another $200 million around marketing its new video channels, as it announced in May. The original $150 million, which created nearly 100 new YouTube channels with notables like Amy Poehler and NBA Star Blake Griffin, apparently caught on with advertisers who were willing to pay a premium to appear alongside branded, non-crummy content. It's also popular with the creative set, who like the instant feedback and flexibility to take a show 180 degrees if needed in order to draw eyeballs. Mountain View could also possibly bring the more polished programs to French and British viewers by next year, according to WSJ sources. If it does, and you're on that side of the pond, you may want to get your pitch in order.

Update: Google confirmed they won't be investing money on any new channels or production, as originally reported -- the $200 million is for marketing only.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HD

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It only makes sense that the Google TV initiative to increase personalization would extend to videos served up from its YouTube site, and now the official app has been updated to do just that. The new version brings recommendations meant to pull gems you might like out of the ever growing pile of content available, as well as a way to search between the new YouTube channels on your TV. Also users should notice improved video quality since the app will automatically try to play content at the best available resolution from the start, and if they find something interesting, it now supports +1 sharing to Google+. The new app is already live on Google Play, compatible devices should be pointed that way for the new experience.

Filed under: HD

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