Verizon customers may soon be able to see YouTube videos over their cell phones and televisions under an alliance being discussed by the two companies, according to the WSJ. As outlined, Verizon Wireless would allow people to see YouTube videos through their V Cast service while Verizon FiOS customers would get the content on demand. YouTube, which Google is buying for $1.65 billion, is expected to seek similar deals with Sprint Nextal and Cingular Wireless, the Journal reports. These talks are going on as Google tries to head off legal challenges to YouTube over copyright issues. Some of the money that Google is spending to placate big media may cover mobile distribution.
WSJ: A deal with YouTube, which could be finalized within weeks, would give Verizon the chance to showcase fiber-optic FiOS. Keep in mind: the new IPTV service only had 118,000 subs as of its most recent report. The talks, however, could still fall through. Other details from the report:
—Verizon could get exclusive rights to carry YouTube videos for a limited period of time.
—Under the terms being discussed, mobile users would have access to about 50 to 100 of YouTube’s most popular videos at any given time.
—Initially, Verizon cellphone users wouldn’t be able to upload their own material but those with camera phones may be able to by the end of 2006.