In its bid to compete with traditional cable offerings on even footing, YouTube has reached agreements with more than 100 producers to provide exclusive video content to the site. YouTube is aiming to create dedicated, broadcast-quality channels from these providers — including Reuters, the WSJ, Slate, The Onion, Ashton Kutcher and Shaquille O’Neal.
According to reports, Google laid out $US100 million in advances to the providers and will likely make that money back through — surprise, surprise — ad sales. The Channels will begin coming online next month and will continue to do so throughout 2012. Though, that’s assuming Shaq’s comedy channel isn’t the catalyst that begins the end of the world.
[Business Insider Top image via AP]