C4 secures landmark deal with YouTube

Fans of shows such as Peep Show and Skins will be able to access some of their favourite programmes on YouTube for the first time after it sealed a groundbreaking deal with Channel 4 yesterday.

The Google-owned video site will add shows in full and free of charge shortly after broadcast on C4, via its 4oD (4 on Demand) catch-up service. 4oD will remain available on C4's website.

The companies said in a statement that "the strategic partnership marks the first time that a broadcaster anywhere in the world has made a comprehensive catch-up schedule available on YouTube". With YouTube currently streaming one billion videos a day, C4 will benefit from a boost to ad revenues and its reach. The content, which will also include 3,000 hours of shows from the C4 archive including The Inbetweeners, Brass Eye and Teachers, will start appearing in the next few months, before being fully available early next year.

Jon Gisby, the head of future media and technology at C4, said: "Sometimes the only way to understand how your audience is evolving is to roll up your sleeves and get involved. The programmes will only be available in the UK. The tie-up will run for three years initially, with the ad revenues split.

Patrick Walker, the head of partnerships for YouTube in Europe, said the company had relationships with most of the major UK broadcasters, and "is open to similar deals".