By Hayley Tsukayama
The New York Post reported Friday that Google has its sites set on Netflix and Amazon and is prepping a streaming-video service for Britain. But a YouTube UK spokesperson has said the company has no plans to do so.
A spokesperson from YouTube's United Kingdom offices told paidcontentUK, "Today, YouTube is focused on building out and improving its current U.S.-based rental offering. While we aim to always push all of our products out globally to our community, we have no plans to launch a European rentals service in the near future."
The New York Post story said that Google was eyeing a launch across the pond where it may see less competition. Though Amazon recently started its acquisition of streaming site LoveFilm and Netflix is looking to put down global stakes, it's a good market for the taking. (The piece did point out that Google would need to make nice with studios and strengthen its stance on piracy before it could make any strides forward.)
While the subscription service may be a myth, Google and YouTube do seem to be moving in the direction of live-streaming overall. On Thursday, Bloomberg reported Google executives in Asia said the company was in talks with major sports leagues such as the National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League and some European soccer leagues to stream live games over YouTube by the second half of the year.