YouTube Shares More Wealth, Expands Partner Program

• Posted: Wednesday, December 12, 2007
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• Author: pradhana
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• Filed under: Digital Content, Online Video, You Tube

YouTube is now expanding the amount of money it shares with amateur video uploaders. The company first dabbled in the concept in May, following the example of rival upstarts like Revver.

Now, the YouTube Partner Program is widening its number of partners, subject to various qualifications. "Even in this limited release, the program has been an amazing success – already, millions of video views each week are earning revenue for our partners," the company explained.

According to YouTube, chosen videos must comply with a number of specific terms. Although anyone within the United States and Canada can apply at youtube.com/partners, the company noted that it will only accept submissions from users that are already "viewed by thousands of YouTube users," among other qualifications. All content must also be copyright controlled (no exceptions), and suitable for online streaming.

In May, YouTube said it had revenue-sharing deals with more than 1,000 partners, including media companies CBS, the BBC, Sundance Channel, the NBA and Sony BMG, as well as independent content creators like lonelygirl15.

Newer partners will join a class that includes Universal Music Group, PerezHilton, and the NBA, as well as smaller creators like artist Tay Zonday.

First round of several hundred users had been selected by the company for building a sizable audience on YouTube and complying with the site's terms of use. YouTube said it hopes the program will encourage users to "create compelling, engaging and viral content" for the site. It also hopes the expansion of the number of vids will encourage more marketers to consider buying ad time on YouTube. [DigitalMusicNews]

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