YouTube Now Offers Movie, Program Rentals
Youtube launched its rental store on Thursday.
Movie buffs looking for a new way to watch their favorite flicks can now head on over to YouTube's new rental store. The streaming service quietly launched without much fanfare on Thursday, however fans can now rent movies for a two-day period, costing between $0.99 to $3.99 USD, depending on the title. Consumers purchase their rentals via Google's Checkout service.
Outside the movie rental offerings, YouTube also provides various other shows to rent such as anime and cartoons, documentaries, biographies, travel videos, and educational programs. Unfortunately, consumers won't see current TV shows such as 24, CSI: Miami, or Fringe. However on the movie front, YouTube offers a few new releases including Precious, Brothers, 3:10 to Yuma, and more.
It's unlikely that YouTube's new store will compete with Hulu's rumored subscription-based service, as the content simply isn't there. As reported on Thursday, Hulu may charge viewers for access to older programs beyond the five most recent episodes. Competition between the two streaming services could change if YouTube is able to gain access to network content. Time will tell.
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Isn't there a way to download it once you "Rented" it?
As YT is owned by Google, it will eventually gain access to network content. TRUST ME.
Isn't there a way to download it once you "Rented" it?
there's Firefox plugin called Download Helper that works pretty damm good...
don't know how it'll work on "rented" shows and movies....
Hm if they can get the content then this will definately be worth my while. Especially knowing that I can watch movies in the fly
So now future users of the Google Chrome OS, running without an optical drive or a hard drive (with any space for storage on it) can watch movies within the safety of Google's own system. Sounds kinda like Apple if you ask me.
Do people actually pay for these?
It was a quiet launch because it's still in BETA.
For some reason I have the fear that I would be seeing 30 second commercial clips during the movie....
For some reason I have the fear that I would be seeing 30 second commercial clips during the movie....
Yeap, nothing like paying $50 a month for cable to have 8 minutes of comercials and 22 minutes of show, and then $15 at the theatre for the movie to start 15 minutes late because of advertisements...
If they wanted $20/month and allowed access to unlimited content, I'd be all for it. I don't like cable and I'm about to drop it and go internet only.
It was bound to happen.
How about Youtube fixes its broken layout first. Looks like someones 12 year old nephew had a shot at UI design.
Is it available internationally? If so, it would crush Hulu, even with a smaller content offering. I doubt it however, as the licensing rights in individual countries can be downright labyrinthine.
......Because Youtube has a history of loading video fast enough to enjoy it..........
fail.
Holy crap that's overpriced. I can go to a RedBox 1 min from my house that rents new DVDs for $1/day. Why would I pay _more_ for this service? If they really want to take away from illegal downloads or Library/RedBox rentals then it should be priced at $1 for new releases and $.75 for old movies.
^^I agree with this. Unless it's of bluray quality, I can't justify myself spending more than a dollar on a rental.
when i click on the link, i get directed to a youtube user called "store" ...lol?
don't know if it'll work here...so many sites to download movies for free....then why pay???
store's profile must be getting alot of hits.
Funny thing is that's the right link. I google'd it, and the current version shows the "Store"'s profile, while the cached version shows the real youtube store.
Looks like someones going to get fired on Monday.
there's Firefox plugin called Download Helper that works pretty damm good...don't know how it'll work on "rented" shows and movies....
What would the purpose of Download Helper be when you would have to delete the copy 2 days later anyway? Or are you suggesting you would steal the copyrighted material? Do you know that stealing is illegal, even on the internet, even if you really want the movie, and are only one person, and are only going to do it a 'few' times...
The fail is strong with this store...LOL...
Anyone outside the US get's a Youtube profile for a user named "store". The reason is only IP's fom the US can use this service...
Apparently, US copyright law wants anyone outside of the US to continue pirating their material...(Hulu anyone? How about Pandora?) FAIL, FAIL, FAIL.