CBS strikes strategic alliance with YouTube

Steve Safran October 9th, 2006

In a network TV first, CBS along with Showtime and CSTV have partnered with YouTube to provide a wide range of short-form video clips to the site. (On the music side, Universal and Sony signed similar deals today). Clips will include excerpts from CSI, Survivor, 60 Minutes and the CBS Evening News. CBS will share in the ad revenue. But the biggest development is CBS will be the first network to test YouTube’s content identification and reporting system. If a user uploads a CBS copyrighted clip — as identified by the system — CBS can decide whether to leave it up or take it down. If CBS lets the clip remain on YouTube, the network receives a share of the ad revenue. “We’re now able to offer select entertainment, news and sports programming to a new significant audience, get paid for it, and learn a few things along the way,” says CBS President Les Moonves. Adds YouTube CEO Chad Hurley, “Today’s agreement demonstrates that YouTube has become a revenue-generating distribution channel for major networks and other media companies.” Full press release follows…

PRESS RELEASE — YouTube, Inc. and CBS Corporation (NYSE: CBS.A) and (NYSE: CBS) have struck a strategic content and advertising partnership announced today by Leslie Moonves, President and CEO of CBS Corporation and Chad Hurley, CEO and Co-Founder of YouTube. The deal calls for the CBS Television Network, its premium television service provider, Showtime Networks Inc., as well as its basic cable/digital media service, CSTV Networks, Inc., to offer the YouTube community a wide variety of short-form video programming from its news, sports and entertainment divisions on a daily basis beginning this month. YouTube and CBS will share revenue from advertising sponsorships of CBS Videos.

In addition, CBS is the first TV network to test YouTube’s new advanced content identification architecture and reporting system which will allow CBS to protect its intellectual property by identifying and locating copyrighted CBS content on YouTube. CBS will then have the opportunity to either remove it from the site or, at CBS’s sole discretion, allow it to remain. If CBS allows the content to remain on the site, CBS will share in any revenue from advertising placed adjacent to the content.

“We’re pleased to be the first network to strike a major content deal with what is clearly one of the fastest growing new media platforms out there,” said Moonves. “This strategic partnership is a unique development in CBS’s continuing initiative to monetize our industry-leading content across new distribution platforms. We’re now able to offer select entertainment, news and sports programming to a new significant audience, get paid for it, and learn a few things along the way.”

“We’re excited to partner with CBS to bring their high-quality, entertaining content to our users. As the first major network to offer a daily delivery of informative and entertaining video clips, CBS will have the opportunity to reach YouTube’s far-reaching and diverse community in a unique and powerful way,” said Hurley. “Today’s agreement demonstrates that YouTube has become a revenue-generating distribution channel for major networks and other media companies. By partnering with YouTube, media companies can now have a two-way dialogue with viewers who can provide feedback about what they find entertaining.”

Under this agreement, CBS will also be providing the YouTube community with video content from CSTV. College sports fans can watch and share some of their favorite college athletics events on YouTube. Beyond highlights and footage from CSTV’s network of more than 100 broadband channels of live college sports, the college sports leader will utilize its relationship with students at hundreds of universities to enable fans to upload their own content from tailgate parties, pep rallies and other campus events.

Content on YouTube’s new CBS Brand Channel will include daily contributions from:

– CBS Entertainment; including short clips from top CBS programs
including “Survivor,” “CSI,” and “The Late Show with Dave Letterman,” as
well as mini-previews and footage from its new fall lineup.

– CBS News; including short videos from “CBS Evening News with Katie
Couric,” “The Early Show,” and “60 Minutes.”

– CBS Sports; including analysis of college and professional sports, as
well as programming from CSTV.

– Showtime Networks, including promotional video clips from its
critically acclaimed original series including “Dexter,” “Brotherhood”
“Sleeper Cell and “The L Word.”

About YouTube Brand Channels

YouTube Brand Channels provide an enhanced environment for media companies and advertisers to showcase their video content on YouTube with a look and feel that is consistent with their brand imagery. This new concept helps brands connect and engage with consumers in a unique and powerful way, around compelling, programmable video content. For more information on YouTube Brand Channels, please contact advertising@youtube.com.