YouTube Movie Rental Test Trial Produces Over $10,000 in Revenues

Not too long ago, we published a post noting that YouTube would commence a test trial for none other than movie rentals. These rentals were composed of five indie films from the Sundance Film Festival that were available to end users for $3.99 for ten days.

According to the New York Times, total revenue from rentals came to $10,709.16. That’s over $1000 per day in rentals. Reportedly, there were a total of 2,864 viewings, with nearly half watching indie film The Cove at 1,103 views. Other available films didn’t do so well — with One Too Many Mornings ringing in a mere 340 views, Homewrecker, 355; Children of Invention, 490; and Bass Ackwards, 396 viewings.

All YouTube needs now is content that the masses are looking for, and they’ll soon enough have a reasonable profit they can happily run to the bank.

The future of YouTube’s rental business is uncertain at this point, however. Soon enough, we’ll surely find out.