YouTube’s movie rentals trial brought in just over $10,000. But rather than the failure some are describing it as, this is surely a big enough success to warrant a larger roll-out of the service in the future. But as usual, content is key.

YouTube Trials Rentals

YouTube has now officially entered the market for movie rentals, having offered movies from the Sundance Film Festival for $3.99 apiece for the ten days that the festival lasted.

YouTube has had a relationship with independent filmmakers for a while now, as it offers another opportunity for them to get their work out there and in the eye-line of a bigger audience. And audiences don’t come much bigger than YouTube’s.

The trial run has now ended and the results are in.

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YouTube has grown and evolved a massive amount since it launched. It’s even changed owner. And yet 2010 could be the biggest year for change so far. YouTube is already rolling out a new minimalist redesign, and its first ever profits could follow in its wake.

A New Year, A New YouTube

2009 was a big year for YouTube. The site began streaming more premium video content after doing deals with various content partners. It also began looking at pay options, the first of which has now come to fruition.

It also played a big part in the development and launch of Vevo, the music video site run by the record labels themselves. There was also the introduction of full HD, and experiments with a new advertising model.

But 2010 could potentially be even bigger.

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Is the free online video ride coming to an end? After months of hints and speculation, YouTube is experimenting with its first paid content. And Hulu is strongly rumored to be preparing to roll out a metered subscription service for some shows in the near future.

Paid Content

It would appear all media industries are starting to realize Web advertising dollars will only go so far, so the newspaper industry, music industry, and TV and film industries are looking at alternative ways of making the Internet pay.

Both YouTube and Hulu have been rumored to be seeking to add paid content to their line ups for a while, and while the Google-owned YouTube is now experimenting with this in a small way, Hulu is making bigger, more longterm plans.

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Cricket is one of those sports you either love or hate. There’s very little middle ground. Those who love it are in for a treat over the next few months as the Indian Premier League tournament takes place. And all, for free, on YouTube.

YouTube Progresses

YouTube is becoming much more than it once seemed it would ever be. Already by far the most popular online video destination on the Web, serving one billion videos a day, it’s now turning its attentions to professional content as well as the bread and butter of UGC.

YouTube has already done deals with a number of media companies which have added movies and TV content to the site. Channel 4’s 4oD being a prime example. Sporting events are also now being added to the roster.

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Silvio Berlusconi’s government has been a controversial one. To say the least. But its latest innovation is one which will directly affect online video Web sites and ISPs. Some regulation is obviously necessary, but what is being proposed goes too far.

Online Video Matures

Online video has matured over the last few years, by quite a lot. It was only a short few years ago when YouTube was a pretty lawless place, with copyrighted content being uploaded left, right, and center, and very few checks and balances to stop it appearing.

But those checks and balances are now in place, and the Google-owned YouTube now plays pretty much by the rules. As does every other legitimate online video offering.

But the Italian government doesn’t think it’s enough.

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Vevo is the attempt by the music industry to take back control of music videos, which have proved an immensely popular genre of online videos. And it seems to have worked, very quickly, but only because of YouTube’s part in the whole venture.

Vevo

Vevo launched on Dec. 8, 2009 almost a year after first being conceived of. It arrived on time, with a last-minute deal with EMI meaning Warners is the only major record label currently missing from the service.

That didn’t stop the launch faltering or many complaining of a distinct lack of content. However, even with these issues, Vevo has jumped straight to the top of the charts, becoming the number one music service on the Web in December.

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It looked as though the Perry et al v. Schwarzenegger et al case attempting to have Prop 8 overturned was going to be broadcast on YouTube. But a last-minute emergency appeal to stop the broadcast was granted, and this online video first will now not happen.

Proposition 8

Proposition 8 is the highly controversial California law amendment which effectively overturned the State’s decision to allow same-sex couple to marry and have their unions recognized in law.

It was one of the propositions to be added to the November 2008 elections. And its passing meant the line, “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California” was added to the California Constitution.

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