YouTube (NSDQ: GOOG) has upgraded its fledgling UK Movies rental section with a proper catalogue of over a thousand rental titles.
Google’s announcement does not state which studios it has. and Google, upon being asked, was not able to tell paidContent. They are Sony (NYSE: SNE) Pictures Home Entertainment UK, Warner Bros Home, Universal and Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), plus the independents Entertainment1, Revolver and Metrodome.
The announcement says the catalogue is “full-length feature films from major Hollywood and British studios”. Google tells paidContent “as new contracts get signed, more will get added”.
What’s clear is that there are few to no recent titles; it’s mostly archive fare. Prices are free, £2.49 and £3.49.
YouTube made its first UK movies foray in August 2010 by adding a small collection of lower-grade and downright saucy films from Blinkbox’s vault
In May 2011 in the States and September in Canada, it introduced new movie rentals. Now the UK gets a similar treatment.
In short, Google has been building its movie ambitions incrementally.