CBS - VIACOM TELLS YOUTUBE TO PULL 100,000 CLIPS

Viacom is demanding that Google-owned YouTube remove more than 100,000 clips from Viacom's cable TV programs -- unless it pays for them, the company has acknowledged. The media company is also demanding that YouTube put into operation a screening system that would prevent additional clips from being posted. In a statement, Viacom complained that YouTube was "unwilling to come to a fair market agreement that would make Viacom content available to YouTube users." YouTube responded that it was "unfortunate that Viacom will no longer be able to benefit from YouTube's passionate audience which has helped to promote many of Viacom's shows." Rachel Happe, digital business researcher at IDC, told Saturday's Los Angeles Times: "This move could have vast and far-reaching consequences for online traffic, brand power and business models. ... If Google no longer has access to the enormous quantity of high-value Viacom video content, the value of its service to consumers and advertisers is diminished." Conspicuously, Viacom was not joined in its demand by CBS Inc., which, like Viacom, is a unit of Sumner Redstone's National Amusements, Inc. CBS had earlier reached a content agreement with YouTube, and CBS chief Les Moonves has recently gone out of his way to praise the website.

05/02/2007