2010 looks like the year YouTube will leap back into headlines for non-Susan Boyle-related reasons. Thank god for that. After yesterday's live cricket streaming deal was mentioned, their move into online movie rentals should make even more people happy.
Taking on Netflix, Apple TV, Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network, YouTube's new rental service will launch on the 22nd of January—as in, 22nd of January TOMORROW.
If you suddenly have grandiose plans of streaming the entire back catalog of John Hughes films, think again. There'll be just five movies available at launch, titles which launched at the last two Sundance Film Festivals—The Cove, Bass Ackwards, One Too Many Mornings, Homewrecker and Children of Invention. Anyone? No, me neither.
Prices will be $3.99 for four of those films (the fifth price is unknown), and only those living in the US will be able to live-stream them. Over a 48-hour time slot.
This is all well and good, but if that dirty little rumor concerning iTunes.com being turned into a streaming service actually comes good, consider YouTube's indie frolicking as being as good as dead. [BBC News]


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