Google to do biggest YouTube movie deal yet?

Google has been gradually adding professional content to YouTube in a bid to attract advertisers and turn a profit with the site it bought for 1.65 billion dollars four years ago.

According to the New York Post, Google is now pursuing its biggest deal yet for YouTube — securing the digital rights to Miramax’s archives, which include such films as “Kill Bill,” “Pulp Fiction,” and “No Country For Old Men.”

The Post said Google is in talks with Filmyard Holdings, the soon-to-be owner of Miramax.

The Walt Disney Co. announced in July that it was selling Miramax for about 660 million dollars to the Filmyard Holdings consortium. The Post said the deal is expected to close by December 10.

The News Corp-owned newspaper said Google may have to do battle with US video rental giant Netflix for the Miramax film library.

A Google spokesman told the Post “we’re always talking to the studios about different things and Disney remains a valuable YouTube partner. Outside of that, we don’t comment on rumor or speculation.”

Google does not release revenue figures for YouTube, but senior executives at the Mountain View, California-based Internet search and advertising giant have suggested recently that it is near profitability.

The New York Times reported in September that YouTube is expected to turn a profit this year on revenue of 450 million dollars. – AFP