YouTube has been adding gobs of new features in recent months to defend its dominance in the online video space. Now reports are circulating that the Web’s number one video destination may begin streaming feature-length movies as soon as January.

In recent months, YouTube has rapidly announced new features and content partnerships. Last week the site introduced a feature called deep linking that allows users to link to a specific point within a video and share that link with friends. YouTube also added links where users can purchase songs, video or games through iTunes or Amazon.com.

YouTube is also starting to generate original video programming of its own. In September it launched a video show called “PopTub” hosted by Maria Sansone to showcase the best videos of the day on YouTube. “PopTub” was created in partnership with Michael Davies of Who wants to be a Millionaire fame.

However, a new contender has arrived on the online video scene in the form of Hulu. Hulu is a partnership between media giants News Corp and NBC Networks that features full television programming to online viewers for free.

YouTube has built its dominance of the online video market exclusively on short form video until recently. However, Hulu’s rapid growth in 2008 signals that users are ready to start watching longer programs on their computers. YouTube would be unwise not to follow this trend.

In fact, YouTube announced earlier this month that it would begin adding full television shows to its content. It’s starting with a partnership with CBS and signaled that it was in talks with other television networks as well.

Now CNET has a report that YouTube is in negotiations with movie studios about adding feature-length movie to the video service. While there’s no announcement as of yet, a media executive is quoted as saying that a deal could be inked in the next, “30 to 90 days.”

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Entry was posted on Friday, November 7th, 2008 at 9:42 am under Online video, YouTube.

Read more entries by Dave Jeyes.
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