Your humble writer tried to use 4oD once in order to watch Dead Set. It did not go well. So hurrah for the news that Channel 4 and YouTube have signed a contract for the latter to officially start showing the former’s shows.
The negotiation has apparently been thrashed out over a six-month period, and has resulted in YouTube getting access to 4oD’s entire back catalogue of 3,000ish hours – including the likes of Skins, Brass Eye and Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares. New shows will be shown on YouTube shortly after their TV transmission.
The two companies will share the advertising revenues generated, with C4 also gaining rights to sell ads around other YouTube content. Full details of this deal weren’t disclosed, beyond the statement that it will operate “on an agreed formula”.
“Making our programmes directly accessible to YouTube’s 20 million UK users will financially benefit both Channel 4 and our independent production partners and help bolster our investment in quality British content,” said Channel 4’s chief executive, Andy Duncan.
“It demonstrates our ability to strike dynamic commercial partnerships to help underpin our future as a commercially funded, not-for-profit multi-platform public service network.”
The deal will commence early next year and last three years, with C4 stressing that it’s not exclusive to YouTube and it may seek other deals with other streaming services. 4oD will continue to run as normal.