In an effort to compete with broadcast and cable television, Google is said to be planning a major overhaul of its YouTube website.
Citing "people familiar with the matter”, the Wall Street Journal says Google’s goal is to entice users to stay on the website longer, and to convince advertisers that it will reach desirable consumers.
The site is apparently planning to highlight sets of "channels" on its homepage around topics such as arts and sports.
Here’s the interesting bit: "About 20 or so of those channels will feature several hours of professionally produced original programming a week.” So it looks like YouTube will soon be offering original programmes.
WSJ says Google plans to spend as much as US$100 million to commission low-cost content designed exclusively for the web.
