Google to bring 'pay-per-view' to YouTube

Cnet news is reporting that Google plans to build payment mechanisms in YouTube and has redesigned a part of the YouTube website to add a section for professional content. In a conference call, Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt said,

"With respect to how it'll get monetized, our first priority is on the advertising side. We do expect over time to see micropayments and other forms of subscription models coming as well. We'll be announcing additional things in that area literally very, very soon. We are making very good progress now with small, medium, and even large-scale video studios".

Google has recently signed a partnership with Sony Pictures to show full length movies. The films will be played using the the player from Crackle, Sony Pictures' own video site. The studio will control advertising for films and Crackle will also get credit for the traffic. Google has also struck deals with CBS, MGM, Lionsgate, Starz and BBC to acquire TV and film content.

The YouTube site will also undergo some design changes. A separate section in YouTube will be given for professional content and made as a marquee product. 2 new tabs will be added, the 'Shows' tab to allow browsing of shows by genre, network, title and popularity and the 'Subscriptions' tab to grant logged-in users access to fresh content from their favorite creators.