The latest high-profile company to jump on board the YouTube bandwagon is the world-famous BBC, which will offer both clips of existing shows, as well as content specially created for the YouTube audience, with full length shows not yet part of the deal. The deal is multi-year but is non-exclusive, as the BBC seeks new online audiences through what will likely be a range on online partners.

Those wanting new, original BBC content through YouTube will be well pleased to find video diaries from BBC stars such as David Tennant and Freema Agyeman from Doctor Who, giving us a backstage video tour of the sets, the TARDIS and more, Clive Myrie on the red zone streets of Baghdad showing us how tough life is over there, John Simm, from TV show Life on Mars and others. 

But that’s not all we can expect to see. Three to six minute and usually self-contained clips from well known shows such as the popular ‘Top Gear’ motoring show, the spy thiller Spooks, the comedic Catherine Tate Show, The Mighty Boosh and a range of factual programmes including those presented by David Attenborough will appear in the “BBC Worldwide Channel”, which the BBC says will also include a limited amount of advertising.

There will also be a BBC News style channel which will show around 30 up-to-the-minute video clips per day, with the latest news and analysis from around the world. The advertising-funded clips will be available to users outside the UK only, although the BBC Worldwide Channel (with Top Gear and others shows) will break this rule and will be viewable by UK YouTube users.

As is possible with YouTube, the full range of comment, rating and recommendation features will apply to all BBC videos, with users able to upload video responses to the BBC and other BBC viewers.

The BBC has existing competition from major US TV networks for online viewers in making some content available through YouTube, as more content creators see the value and monetization opportunities of online video.

That said, YouTube is not universally successful, facing copyright issues and the decision of companies such as Viacom failing to come to terms with YouTube over allowing clips of their content to appear on YouTube, requesting that YouTube remove 100,000 videos with content attributed to Viacom shows. Viacom chose instead to offer video content online through IPTV service Joost instead.

So what about the advertising issues? All three channels will carry ads, but UK residents won't be able to see two of those channels on YouTube. Read onto page 2 to find out why and for the conclusion...