As part of its big plans to get into premium original content, YouTube has announced exclusive deals with over 100 partners to create all new channels on the video sharing site.
Among those who will be producing content under the new arrangements are Jay-Z, who will be doing a channel as an extension of his Life + Times site; Pharrell, who will be starting a new channel called "i am Other" about creative thinkers; Shaquille O'Neal, who's doing a comedy network; Madonna, who's doing a dance network; Vice Magazine; Pitchfork; The Onion; TED and others.
YouTube reportedly paid over $100 million in advances to the producers in order to bring them to the table. But despite the seed money, content creators will have complete control over what to do with their channels.
The new channels will debut starting next month and continue to roll out over the next year. Read about all of them here.
[via SAI]
