After squabbling with YouTube and demanding that they pull over 100,000 copyrighted videos two weeks ago Viacom has struck a deal with Internet television service Joost. Under the agreement, Viacom’s divisions including MTV Networks, BET Networks and Paramount pictures will provide programming on the Joost platform.
Joost will not carry any user-generated content and takes the issue of copyright protection seriously, saying they will guarantee protection for content owners and creators. This is a smart move on their part considering the controversy YouTube and Google have battled over the copyright issue.
The deal with Viacom should help establish Joost as a legitimate alternative to both YouTube and traditional television programming. Joost has made some other deals with media broadcasting companies but the deal with Viacom is the largest to date.
I don’t see Joost and YouTube as competitors since both carry different types of content. The market should be able to support both forms of entertainment, which would make the consumer and broadcast media companies happy.
“We’re extremely pleased to be working with Joost, and couldn’t be prouder to be a key partner in the launch of the next generation in broadband video technology,” said Philippe Dauman, Viacom President and Chief Executive Officer. “We have the number one portfolio of entertainment sites in the world and unrivaled distribution on mobile devices, but we’re determined to keep pushing and growing our digital presence and bring our programming to audiences on every platform and device that they want.”
Viacom will offer a variety of shows via Joost including Beavis & Butthead, Surreal Life, and American Gangster.
The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
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