YouTube has launched its movie rental service in Canada, the latest in the growing competition for online entertainment dollars.
Featuring Hollywood and independent films the new service, which follows last spring’s rollout of YouTube movies in the United states, offers rentals at $4 and $5. YouTube.ca has deals with Canadian studios eOne, Mongrel Media and Alliance Film as well as American studios.
Asked how many movies are on the new service for Canada, YouTube put the number at “well over a thousand, with more titles being uploaded every day.” Among its current listings are movie like The Adjustment Bureau, Battle: Los Angeles and others at $5 for a rental that gives the viewer a 48 hour rental with the option of watching the film anytime up to 30 days after booking it. Older movies rent for $4 and YouTube also has a free selection on the site. To rent movies, you need a credit card and a free YouTube account.
Google’s expansion of its YouTube movie service to Canada comes as the last of the Blockbuster movie rental stores in Canada are slated to be closed and it is one of a growing number of online movie options in a market still dominated by Netflix, which offers a flat monthly rate of $7.99 for unlimited movie and TV show viewing.
However, online movie and TV show offerings in Canada lag behind the US in selection and availability and paid online services also still face the task of luring potential customers away from legal and illegal free movie downloading options on the Internet.