WSJ: Google to invest 100 million dollars on initial YouTube content

Acquisition of next new networks is only the beginning.

Google (GOOG) has always cut a fairly clear line between "organize the world's information" and you create it.  The latest significnt purchase of next new networks, and a report from the Wall Street Journal today, however, seems to show that Google now goes on to create your own content.

The company is planning changes to the home page that would illuminate sets channels around subjects like art and sport. YouTube sees the introduction of 20 or so "premium channel" coming five to ten hours of professionally produced original programming per week. Additional channels will be assembled from content already on the site.

It seems quite in line with what the next new network did before they were acquired.

NNN is a network of networks that have made an art of finding Grassroots YouTube talent--as Obama Girl, now at home on her Barely Political channel--giving them equipment, ad and marketing support, syndication and cross-promotion in exchange for a sharing of revenues. The company uses what is called ' super distribution ' to satisfy the viewers where they are, to the iTunes, MSN, Yahoo, Hulu or emerging venues Boxees.

It is risky for Google/YouTube, especially in light of regulatory/monopoly/competitive buzz around your company right now.  When Google was just organise and host of video content, it was more difficult to show that it was playing favorites.  Now with your own content, will its breakdown strength is criticised again, in another sphere of influence.

In fact, sometimes it seems as if Google is trying to gain as much trouble as possible.

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