Now, you can watch free movies on YouTube: Details here
In a major, albeit quiet, move, YouTube has started offering free movies for its users. The service, according to an AdAge report, is offering select Hollywood classics for streaming. However, the collection is quite small at the moment and will be served with ads popping up in between. Here's more on the feature.
Some 100 titles available for free streaming
According to AdAge, YouTube rolled out free movies in October, but without making an official announcement. The platform added a 'Free to watch' category in its movies and TV shows section, where you can find some 100 titles, including classics like 'The Terminator' and 'Rocky' and family movies like 'Agent Cody Banks' and 'Zookeeper'.
Are these movies available in India?
As of now, we didn't find any of these free movies on India's YouTube. However, it is important to note that the company has just started rolling out free content, which means it might be a while before it becomes available in India.
Possibility of sponsored films, exclusive screenings
With this move, YouTube is offering studios an option to generate revenues from movies that are way past their earning days. Ads will appear at regular intervals during these movies, but the company has not revealed how the revenue will be shared. Rohit Dhawan, YouTube's Director of Product Management, also hinted studios might even sponsor films or hold exclusive screenings in the future.
Either way, it's a major improvement over the paid model
While it still remains to be seen if YouTube holds exclusive screenings, the move has definitely given an advantage to both consumers and producers. Previously, the platform only had movies to purchase or rent, but now, there's more free content to enjoy, which YouTube's 1.9 billion users would certainly love. Also, Dhawan has noted that the collection will expand in the days to come.
