I suppose this was bound to happen eventually, given that video commands the highest proportion of internet traffic in the world and that piracy is increasingly eating into the profits of the studio companies. YouTube, in collaboration with Intel, has launched its Box Office channel in India, which will stream a premium blockbuster Bollywood movie every month in 720p, 1080p or standard lower resolutions. It will also offer a catalogue of older movies that can be viewed, which includes over 1500 regional titles. Things are starting off with band Baarat Baaja this month.
Unsurprisingly, the channel will have advertisements. To add a novelty factor to the channel, the page will also contain interesting stuff like trivia, deleted scenes, making of the movie and other features that are usually found on DVDs.
We think that this is an interesting initiative from YouTube. Of course, YouTube has already tasted some success with its live streaming of the IPL. But now, they have gone a step further by getting blockbuster Bollywood films in their realm too. This, in combination with the ever increasing broadband penetration in India, will hit the sales of physical media badly. Either way, got your tickets yet?
