YouTube to launch new TV shows

Agence France-Presse

Google-owned YouTube, which has been cautiously adding more professional content to a website that started as a venue for amateur videos, unveiled a new destination for television shows and an expanded platform for movies.

Youtube.com/shows, which went live late Thursday, features television programs from companies such as BBC Worldwide, CBS, Discovery Networks, Lionsgate, Metro Goldwyn Mayer, National Geographic, PBS, Sony's Crackle, Starz and others.

"This addition is one of many efforts underway to ensure that we're offering you all the different kinds of video you want to see, from bedroom vlogs and citizen journalism reports to music videos and full-length films and TV shows," YouTube said in a post on the official company blog.

The television shows and movie destinations are currently limited to users in the United States but YouTube said "we look forward to expanding to other regions as soon as possible."

The move to expand YouTube's menu of professional content is the latest attempt by Google to generate revenue from the immensely popular video-sharing site which it purchased for 1.65 billion dollars in 2006. Earlier this month, Universal Music Group and YouTube announced launch of a music video website, VEVO.com, featuring artists from the world's largest music company.