科技英语新闻:YouTube adding 3,000 movies to rental service

BEIJING, May 10 (Xinhuanet) -- YouTube is adding more than 3,000 mainstream movies to its movie-rental service, media reports said Tuesday.

Google Inc-owned YouTube is offering a mix of recent Hollywood blockbusters, independent and foreign movies for 99 cents up to 3.99 U.S. dollars each.

The additions will push YouTube’s total movie rentals available to more than 6,000.

In addition, hundreds of movies, including some offered before the latest launch, are available for free viewing as with other clips.

“By expanding our content partnerships worldwide and stimulating the success of budding filmmakers, artists and entrepreneurs, we’ll ensure that YouTube remains the best place for the world to see and discover rich talent,” Salar Kamangar, head of YouTube, said.

YouTube, which built a following by letting users post home videos and amateur clips, is counting on professionally produced content to draw more visitors and keep them on the site longer.

YouTube users currently spend about 15 minutes on the site per day on average, compared with the five hours they spend on television, the company said.